<p>My parents are paying for my undergrad in full. I could have gone to my state flagship which is a decently good school for $26k. I didn't know too much about merit aid and didn't really think I'd get much so I didn't apply to safeties after I got into my #1 EA. Instead, I go to a top tier public engineering school with a great reputation but pay $40k. My parents make $250k a year but I just feel awful about making them pay the extra $14k. They said money was no issue.</p>
<p>Will it be worth it? I probably would not be all that happy at the state flagship but with merit aid, I probably could have gotten a price similar to the state flagship but in a better location. FWIW, I was 10th percentile w/ a 32 ACT. A school like Drexel may have given me $20k a year and I'd be in Philly (I go to GT in Atlanta now - ignore my location)?</p>
<p>I'm just wondering - should I feel bad about picking the school I go to? Will the experience and jobs at the top tier school end up being worth it?</p>
<p>Bottom line: they said money was no issue. Just do your best, and they’ll be proud of you and pleased to have been able to offer you your top choice.</p>
<p>If your parents said that money was not an issue, then it’s not an issue. There is nothing to feel bad about.</p>
<p>Our family was full-pay, too, and one of my kids chose an expensive school. She does not feel guilty, and I would not want her to. </p>
<p>It sounds as though you are at a college that’s a good match for you. Just take advantage of the opportunities it offers. That’s what you’re there for, and that’s what your parents are paying for.</p>
<p>If you are not enrolled yet, and you are having second thoughts, consider taking a Gap Year. This would give you an opportunity to explore other options for your education.</p>
<p>But truly, if your family can afford your college, and you are contributing toward your expenses by working at least part time all year, and taking out any student loans that your family expects you to, then do not feel guilty. Feed blessed. Tell your parents how truly grateful you are to have them, and to have this opportunity. Sometimes in life we just get lucky.</p>
<p>You should feel grateful. Let your parents know how you are feeling and how grateful you are for this. They want the best for you. You are a lucky girl.</p>
<p>If they have consistently given you this message and they are paying
your way, then it’s likely that money isn’t an issue. If it were, you’d
probably pick up hints here and there about it.</p>
<p>One of my sisters is worried about paying for med school for her
daughter. Her husband isn’t worried at all about paying for med
school. So there you have a difference in opinion between the parents
that could be cause for concern (I don’t know their finances but from
what I’ve seen, I don’t think that they’ll have any problems).</p>
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<p>If you have a path in front of you that’s obvious, then take it and
don’t worry about what might have been worse. You can’t change the
past and worrying about what might have happened is often
unproductive.</p>
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<p>No. Your parents are giving you a gift. Accept and enjoy the gift
graciously and show them that you appreciate it by doing the best
job that you can at UIUC.</p>
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<p>That doesn’t really matter. It sounds like your parents budgeted for
college expenses and they simply executed their plan. If you save
up for something without wrecking your budget, then you shouldn’t feel
any guilt when it comes to actually spending the money.</p>
<p>It will be worth it to your parents if you do the best job that you
can while upholding the family name. They will have done their job in
raising you to the best of their ability and knowing that is itself a
reward for parents.</p>
<p>There is very little that’s more gratifying to a parent than being able to afford a good education for their children. Get every ounce of good from your education and you will have given your parents a wonderful return on their investment. Use your life and your education to make a contribution to the world through the work you do, (even if you’re working as a file clerk, be a terrific file clerk!) Keep thinking and working to see more deeply into life, which you will be able to thanks to your studies. This will be a joy to your parents-- beyond price. They’re lucky to have such a thoughtful child (you probably reflect their values already).</p>
<p>Don’t feel bad, if your parents said it was ok then go to the school that is your number one choice. They have probably saved some money to help fund your tuition and would not send you to a college they couldn’t afford.
What you can do is look of scholarships after you start to help with the costs if you wan to help them out. </p>
<p>Go to school get good grades and make your parents proud…</p>
<p>As a parent paying full ride to a 50K school right now for my daughter, if your parents said “don’t worry about it” then you don’t need to feel bad. But make the most of this wonderful gift you are being given. And later, pay it forward, to your parents’ grandchildren :)</p>
<p>Since you are already enrolled at school there is no point wasting the brain power worrying about your decision. As a parent who pays the full boat for one student currently and two next year (which will cost $100,000+) I can tell you that the best way to repay your parents is to make the most of the opportunities that come your way. Do your best, enjoy but spend your time wisely, get involved and give back to your community. To me, if my kids do this, there is nothing more I can ask of them. It is a quick four years, your parents have given you a wonderful gift, you will graduate from college debt free. I think you show alot about your personality by worrying about this, you are obviously a grateful person. Go and make them proud.</p>
<p>If you really continue to feel guilty, pay them back when you land a job upon graduation-- at least of the tune of the $14k difference. But as others have said, if they said it wasn’t an issue and they, as volitional adults, CHOSE this and said it wasn’t an issue, just be really grateful and do your best and make them proud.</p>
<p>We have a whole lot less money, and I am happily paying an extra $5K per year over my son’s cheapest option to send him to the school that we all believe is best for him. Your parents can afford it and they want to. Also, as irishmary says, there’s no point worrying about it now! Have fun, learn lots, make friends, and pay it forward.</p>
<p>Funny how by saying your family income in your first post you get all this positive support, whereas if you had left it out people would be suspicious that your parents only made $75K and were making a foolish mistake.</p>
<p>As I’ve written on other posts like this: NOTHING will thrill your parents more than</p>
<p>1) being able to give you the superb education you (and they!) have worked so hard for</p>
<p>2) seeing you thrive in the superb school
and</p>
<p>** 3) being THANKED for their generosity: look them in the eye, tell them how much you love your school and how much you’re grateful to be able to go there **</p>
<p>Be glad. Be gracious. Love what you do. It’s what parents dream for their kids. </p>
<p>^^ you forgot GRADUATE…that was without a doubt one of the happiest days of my life when I saw my oldest son actually graduate from college…so many kids that go off don’t.</p>
<p>Echoing what other parents have said; as parents doing this for our kiddo, all we ask is that he make the most of it, enjoy his time, eventually thank us, and spend it forward!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your input! I had a successful first semester, second is off to a good start, and hopefully I can continue it over the next few years.</p>