Should I be worried about price?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am considering going to Cornell University (if I get accepted). I am also considering going to Rutgers University, which is a state university in NJ. Both of these are considered to be excellent schools, although Cornell is the better of the two. Because I live in NJ Rutgers will cost me much less than what Cornell will cost me. Also, If I get the SAT scores to be accepted into Cornell, then I will definitely have the SAT scores to get a decent scholarship to Rutgers.
My parents say that if I get a full ride, or even a big scholarship to Rutgers (which I am somewhat confident I might get), then it will be wise to go to Rutgers. I agree with them; I don't want to come out of college with a large debt. But I also really want to get away from them. I'm looking forward to college as an exciting time to explore new people and places. I don't know if I'll get to do that in Rutgers.
What should I do?</p>

2

<p>I have a teacher whose kids got into Harvard and Columbia, and he said that he’d rather drown in loans than deprive his kids of ivy educations. It’s kind of crazy and naive, but it’s your decision as to how willing you are to let got of your money. You’d rather not come out with debt, so you’d be better off in that aspect with Rutgers.
As to getting away from them, you can always dorm there, get the full dorm experience, and still visit parents every other weekend if they really want you to.</p>

3

<p>Wait until you actually get into Cornell/Rutgers…</p>

<p>You shouldn’t think so much about this until you actually have this dilemma. It doesn’t hurt to apply to both and then sort it out.</p>

4

<p>Everyone needs to be concerned about cost unless you have ample money to pay for all 4 years.</p>

<p>If you can get large merit from Rutgers, then you can get large merit at other schools (if your desire is to get away from home).</p>

<p>It sounds like your parents won’t be that willing to pay for Cornell anyway…so it’s a good idea to apply to other schools that will give you large merit.</p>

<p>What are your stats? What is your intended major?</p>

<p>How much have your parents said that they will pay?</p>

5

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<p>Was this before Harvard got generous with the need-based financial aid?</p>

6

<p>It is usually Ivy’s who give better aid anyway. So wait till you get into them first and see their offers.</p>

7

<p>Depends. If you’re low income, Cornell will probably be just as cheap, since Ivy FA is generally pretty amazing. If you’re high income, your parents should have been saving so you wouldn’t have to worry about price when you got into an Ivy, but a lot of people don’t. If you don’t have significant savings and you won’t qualify for much FA, then of course go to Rutgers.</p>

8

<p>I could be wrong, but it doesn’t sound like the OP is low income.</p>

9

<p>Don’t worry about it until you actually get accepted and get your financial aid package. If your actual goal is to get out of New Jersey, then apply to a lot of colleges that you are somewhat over qualified for. You will have a good chance of getting a very good merit scholarship, which may help sway your parents.</p>

10

<p>OP, if your family has limited income and assets (notice I did not say limited means) then most Ivies will offer the best FA. As far as I know they all meet need so you should graduate with minimal or no debt. Waiting to see how merit and FA work out is best.</p>

11

<p>If your parents aren’t truly smothering you and afraid to let go, you can be away from them even if you aren’t far. Would you have to live at home if you went to Rutgers? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1199373-move-day-back-20-minutes.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1199373-move-day-back-20-minutes.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Spending several thousand dollars a year to get away doesn’t seem reasonable. Good luck!</p>

12

<p>If you have the grades and SAT’s to get into Cornell, you will also be wise to pick some great safties where you will get a full tuition (or close) scholarship and have that choice. Don’t limit yourself to Rutgers if you want to get away from home. </p>

<p>Many great private schools offer great merit aid.</p>