It has been my dream school since forever and I was shocked when I got accepted.
I would be paying about $14,592 a year w/o loans (this includes non billed costs such as traveling/books so could be cheaper). I think that this is a really good price for a school as expensive as Wake Forest.
Problem is is that I have a sister that will also be heading to college this fall so this puts us in a different situation. My dad knows that the price of Wake Forest is really good but he wants us to just go to our local college or a community college. He isn’t forcing it on us but this is what he wants ($$ and traveling purposes). We are still discussing.
I personally do not like the idea of going to my local college or a CC. I feel like I would regret not choosing WF. I know that Wake Forest is a top university and has a vast amount of opportunities. I would like to think that if I choose WF, by the time that I graduate college, my debt would be manageable. My parents can pay a portion and I could pay the rest.
I would like to hear your thoughts.
Thank You
No one can speak about your family’s specific financial, cultural or safety concerns.
We also don’t know where your sister is going and if this would impact her. Perhaps the only way for both of you to go and with the current uncertainty your dad is being cautious. Or maybe he doesn’t have the resources to pay for both and this is a way to allow to both finish at the schools of your choice or this level with the savings over the two year stretch.
Wake for that amount is a tremendous value. But it’s still a lot of money. I could offer you a rolls Royce for 30000. It’s a tremendous value. But if you don’t have 30000 it’s a moot point.
I would spend some time having a calm and productive conversation with your dad. Try to listen and be understanding that he might be a bit sad he can’t do this for you. Or if he can and doesn’t understand the value. Talk to him calmly about the results. The high 4 year grad rates. The high economic outcomes. Research some of the famous graduates. Talk to him.
If you can’t go this fall it’s just a not yet, doesn’t mean not ever.
You can work during the term and over the summer. That’s at least $5000. You can take $5500 in loans on your own. Coming up with the remaining less than $5000 seems to be the issue, right?
I don’t think it would be an issue. It’s just that my dad sees other cheaper opportunities. And yea, I can def work over the summers.
If you lay it out neatly and itemized for your father and are willing to listen more than speak you might be able to have the kind of productive conversation referenced by @privatebanker .
Your dad has some wisdom. We having a crashing economy, and a layoff from a parent would make a school like that unaffordable VERY quickly, especially if there are two kids in college. There’s nothing that WF offers that you can’t get from your state university for a fraction of the cost.
OP wrote:
“I would be paying about $14,592 a year w/o loans” and then wrote: “…by the time I graduate college, my debt would be manageable.”
This is confusing ? Debt from student loans ?
P.S. OP: Your dad seems to be telling you that WFU is not affordable and, therefore, it is not a realistic option.
How much are your direct costs to attend Wake (tuition fees room board)
Does your financial aid cover these cost?
Do you have adequate health insurance?
If your cost without loans is $14595
If you take your loan this leaves $9095
How much can your parents contribute ?
Where can you trim cost: travel. Renting books, etc
Wake meets 100% demonstrated need.
You may be eligible for more aid once there are 2 of you in college.
Did you indicate there would be two in college when you did your financial aid applications to Wake?
How much will your parents contribute?
How much cheaper are your local options? Community college usually costs about $4k per year (for two years) according to the google, while a local college will be somewhat more. The difference between the likely cost of a local college and Wake Forest seems small enough that an appeal to Wake for more $ might even things up. If this is really your dream, let WF know and see what they can do!
Just a theory from reading between the lines, but maybe your father has more than just $ issues with you going to WF. He may be nervous about you settling far away from home, or being too Boujee after going to Wake Forest, etc. Most of us sometimes make decisions based on emotional anxiety while citing facts to cover our true reasons, but those anxieties usually fade away in the light of day. I second the other posters suggestion to have a conversation with him and really listen to what he is saying.