Hey everyone. I am currently a sophomore in NJ, and I was thinking about what college I should try to aim for, but I am having a hard choice of deciding what would be my best course of action
So my current goal is to dual major in Computer Science (programming) and Business Administration for my undergrad, and then pursue a MBA from a top tier school like Wharton or UCB.
After doing some research, I found that the college with the best programs for these fields is UC Berkeley, but as an out-of state student, I will have to pay almost 60000 per year, as I probably will not qualify for much financial aid. I also researched good schools in New Jersey for these fields, and Rutgers turned out to be the best.
I estimate my GPA after junior year to be around a 3.8, my SAT score to be around a 1500, I will have taken around 8 AP tests with 4s or 5s on all of them, and I will have plenty of extra curriculars. My family has a upper middle class income, and make a net gain of about 50000 after taxes and yearly expenses, and I also have a brother who will attend college in another 8 years.
With this, would going to Rutgers or UCB be my best option?
Ask your folks how much they can contribute annually for your education and THEN build your list of schools around that budget. UC Berkeley is NOT affordable to many/most OOS and as a student you can only borrow $5500 your 1st year.
It sounds like UCB would be foolish in your circumstances. Rutgers is a fine school and I would also recommend you look at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for your desired major. If you are doing very well in science and math, ask your guidance counselor to recommend you for the Rensselaer Medal for your school in your junior year.
My parents can afford UCB, but they have to sell all of their investments to fund my education. Then again, I feel with my credentials, I might be able to get a full ride at Rutgers, if not a substantial scholarship package.
I also feel that I will be able to be accepted to Rutger’s honors college program, which I will not be able to get in UCB
It is SO MUCH better to shine at your in-state school than be a number at an expensive OIS like UCB. If you finish and work awhile, it may be worthwhile getting a MBA from UCB or comparable.
Your folks will need their investments for their retirement. You really don’t want to be supporting them in their old age!
Exactly my thought process. They did say that they have a 401k investment plan or something, but they did not go into much detail. They said just get your results, then we can talk, but I just cannot wait until then.
But my only qualm to going to Rutgers is that it is such a cliched school in my area, and I feel like I will not be able to be the best, especially if I double major.
Find some other schools that offer merit and apply in addition to Rutgers. Paying over 60K to go to another states public school is a bad idea. Do some research on schools with your majors.
<<<< I am a high school who was going to take the sat until recently, when my parents said they wont pay for anything, including sat, colleges, etc. What do I do?<<<<
If your parents wont even pay for a SAT exam, why would you say that statement in post #7
You seem to be all over the map in terms of what you are posting. And it is way too early to decide where you will end up at school. Estimated GPA and SATs are of no value – come back junior year when you have some solid academic stats to report – there is no value now to asking what your chances are to get into Stanford, Wharton, Berkeley or what your chances of getting a 1600 SAT (per previous posts) are.
When the time comes: 1) talk to your parents and find out for certain what they can/will pay towards your college education; 2) cast a wide net to include reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (use Net Price Calculator) 3) if finances require, focus on in-state schools (which can also include options such as TCNJ, Rowan, NJIT etc.) and schools where you may get merit aid.
You can probably get merit at Ohio State and Ohio University, and maybe Temple (apply early), otherwise if Rutgers is affordable, that’s a fine choice too.
Ok…so that one post from Dec was just drama-of-the-moment.
But can you address the following…
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My parents can afford UCB, but they have to sell all of their investments to fund my education.
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Have your parents said that they will sell ALL of their investments to fund YOUR education? Have they SAID that they would do that?
And if so, then how would they pay for your younger sibling’s education when they’ve wiped out all of their savings on YOUR education?
And, assuming that those investments are for their security and their eventual retirement, why would you want them to spend it all on UCB? And, why would you want your parents to have nothing left for your sibling’s education?
I understand not wanting to attend Rutgers when it’s so common within your high school (that’s why I never applied a couple years back), but the idea of paying $60K per year at an OOS public that gives no FA is absolutely ridiculous.
Anyways, you’re a sophomore, it may be a little early for you to be talking about this in such detail. Four years ago this time, I had absolutely zero idea where I wanted to go to college. Just try to finish your second year strong, then you can start thinking about it in November (usually when college fairs are).
Rutgers is very good. I have worked with / for a couple of graduates from there, and also knew I think two more who were fellow graduate students when I was doing my Master’s at Stanford. Rutgers is a very good school and my impression is that being in-state for you will make it very affordable. You will want to save your education $$ for graduate/MBA school (which will not be cheap, but is a better place to spend money compared to undergraduate).
Saying my parents can afford UCB, but they have to sell all of their investments to fund my education is one thing but will they do that. Personally, I could have striped my savings accounts (which will be needed for a comfortable retirement) and send my kids anywhere but that was not an option I was willing to do. They had great options in our family budget.
UCB also has a 17% acceptance rate and you are guessing at your scores so it is really hard to predict anything this early. There are a lot of other schools out there that will help you meet your goal and will meet your family budget.
You also indicated you feel you won’t be able to be the best at Rutgers. Why do you feel that way?
"They did say that they have a 401k investment plan or something, but they did not go into much detail. ’
Allowing your parents to raid their 401K for your college is foolish. It guarantees you almost that they will be depending on you financially as they age. Also, the tax penalties are huge. Do NOT let them do that.
Your parents don’t have to divulge what is in their 401(k).
You need to do some more work in coming up with options. There are a lot of great schools that will be within your parents budget and help you achieve your goals. Come up with some reaches like UCB, some matches and some safeties. Talk to your parents about what they are willing to spend.
Your profile is speculating what your grades and test scores will be. What is your GPA right now after sophomore year and what are your PSAT scores?
Your parents and you can borrow to finance your education. They cannot borrow to finance their retirement. It seems the only strategy for you is to go to a school you can afford without borrowing (much).