<p>My daughter is finishing her first year at a good LAC in a 3-2 engineering program. She wasn't 100% sure about engineering, so wanted the LA options. She got good FA, including 1/2 tuition merit scholarship and is in the honors program. She knows now she wants to study engineering and so is transferring to another school for fall 2010. So far she is accepted to UConn and Northeastern, is waiting on UMass, WPI, and Tufts. The other issues? She is not a party-er, and was initially pretty turned off by schools that are "too big." The financial aid from NU will require us to take loans. I am assuming that she will get into UMass and the financial picture will be much better than NU. My dilemma - can and should I be completely cold about the situation, tell her she must go where it is cheapest, regardless of where she wants to go and feels she will be happiest? Or will that set her up to be unhappy again next year and looking to transfer again? She is a great kid, excellent student, and very mature. But she is not so "flexible" or easy going as to fit in anywhere. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I don’t understand why she’s leaving her current situation if it also gets her the engineering degrees that she wants? Isn’t it a reasonable financial choice? Where is the “2” years at? Columbia?</p>
<p>How much will you have to borrow for NU?</p>
<p>Are you a resident of Massachusetts or Connecticut? I think that they’re all pretty big except for WPI. I would guess the reason for Northeastern is the Boston atmosphere. Perhaps you could just offer her in-state tuition dollars and anything above that she would have to cover. This would essentially put the choice and consequences on her and take them off of you.</p>
<p>Yes, the 2 years is at Columbia (which she also has always had doubts about - is very apprehensive about living in NYC). She is not enjoying the liberal arts classes she has to take now AT ALL (and she is getting very high marks in them, not slacking, just hating them) she wants to get into the science/maths now, not wait for her last 2-3 years.</p>
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I think you should let her know the financial situation and what you’re willing to spend for her college and then she can decide what to do from that point. You have every right to limit the amount of money you’re willing or able to spend but she should have the right to choose a college she wants to attend that fits within the financial constraints which might mean she’ll need to take some loans, work on-campus and in the summers to contribute, etc. </p>
<p>To put it in math terms for her - the available finances as determined by you is one variable and her desires for a particular college as determined by her is another variable. Now it’s a matter of making it work if possible.</p>