My d is a solid “B” student (GPA between 3.4 and 3.5 with no honors/AP’s but good extra curriculars and tons of volunteering) and she is looking for a large state school with lots of options for majors (she is currently undecided) and an active campus life. We live in NJ and she is not interested in Rutgers because it is “too familiar”/“too close.” The only other state school on her radar is Rowan. I know most of the big-name OOS schools are going to be much too costly (our EFC is around $10 - 12,000). We have looked at some private schools with good need-based aid. Looking for any suggestions for affordable OOS options. Thanks!!
SUNYs definitely, OOS tuition not much more than Rutgers in-state and much easier for OOS kids to get in! SUNY Binghamton, Buffalo, Albany, Stony Brook are all large. Some people think SUNY Buffalo is very much like a midwestern state school, lots of school spirit.
Thank you Muffy333! I’ve heard the SUNY schools are comparable - I know she prefers warmer climate but I’m hoping to convince her to check a couple of them out! Thx!
West Virginia, possibly? Maybe Alabama or Mississippi?
TCNJ is a no go? If not take her back when Campus Town opens in August. Rowan is a very dreary campus and she can do better with her grades.
You will find that OOS schools offer little value compared to private schools generally.
Providence College is an idea. Very active campus life and nice enough area. University of Vermont is worth a try. Burlington is one of the nicest college towns in the country. UVM is lovely.
Lots of NJ kids go to Delware which is pointless when Rutgers NB and TCNJ are much cheaper and better schools.
For big state school feel, stick to Buffalo, Albany, and Stony Brook for SUNYS. The rest are a wash. UMinnesota also has affordable out of state tuition.
What about Ole Miss? They have some pretty good non-resident scholarships based on GPA & SAT/GPA:
http://www.olemiss.edu/info/admissions/admissions-guides/index-finaid.html
Thanks! Woogzmama, I know several NJ kids who have gone to WV, but they seem to have a hard time adapting, husband and I are from OH and I think it really would be too different for her. WinterParents, thanks so much for the feedback on the NJ schools! TCNJ is right in our back yard (a couple of miles anyway) and I know she wants to go away. I will definitely look at Providence and Vermont! CaliCash- didn’t know that about Minnesota! She’s up for going far and going somewhere different so might be appealing! Thanks all!
There is an annual report put out by Kiplinger that talks about the best value schools, and it rates them for in state and out of state. You may want to look that up. Also, sometimes SAT and ACT scores matter when looking at merit, if she will qualify.
Thanks 1214Mom, the Kiplinger list is extremely helpful!
What is her ACT or SAT score (M+CR for SAT).
Try to find out what her exact cum GPA will be by the end of this year. (hopefully, she’ll finish strong this year!). A 3.5 is far more likely going to get her some merit than a 3.4 will. Of course she’ll need a strong test score, too.
Are you saying that the $10k-12k is the amount that you can pay? If not, how much? Keep in mind that EFC is rather irrelevant once you’re past Pell threshold. You will likely be expected to pay more than your EFC.
For each school, run the NPC. Some schools require CSS profile and some will require the financial info of a non-custodial parent if there is one.
@NJFabFour She has a good shot at Muhlenberg or Gettysburg. What is the interest in state schools. Once she sees the housing situation in many of them she might change her mind and you might push harder on being more flexible. Even at Penn State for all that money the housing is just above slums.
Marist would also be worth visiting.
Thanks mom2collegekids! That thread is great! I’ve only scratched the surface and am getting some great info! Unfortunately she is not a great test-taker . . . first SAT is only 980 (M+CR) but she is doing an online prep course and retaking one or two more times (she is a junior). We are hoping GPA comes up this year, she is definitely doing better in general this year than last. The $10 - 12,000 is what our estimated EFC is calculated to be - per child (she also has a twin brother who we are hoping will receive some substantial merit aid as his credentials are much stronger) and we will likely be covering most of that with loans.
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she also has a twin brother who we are hoping will receive some substantial merit aid as his credentials are much stronger) and we will likely be covering most of that with loans.
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What are the brother’s stats?
So, your EFC for EACH child will be about $10k-12k?
What will you be covering with loans? The EFC and gaps for each child? Will you be paying any costs out of current income?
Thanks WinterParents! Marist and Muhlenberg popped up in our searches as possibilities! I agree with you, I’m more drawn to the private schools, but she likes the activity and social scene of the big universities (I agree that the dorms at most leave a lot to be desired!). Fortunately she is pretty flexible and open-minded (much more so than her twin brother who is all about the name and prestige and needs to be open to those schools that may offer him the merit-aid he is capable of receiving if he is open-minded to various possibilities!) so I’m hoping she will be more drawn to those that may offer more bang for our buck!
mom2collegekids, brother’s stats are top 6 - 8% of class of 300 students, GPA over 4.0, all AP courses this year and next, strong direction and leadership in STEM and international clubs (plans to major in Chem Eng and minor in International Relations), SAT, (M+CR) - 1380; we hope to cover most of the EFC (yes, $10 - 12 K for each) and gaps with loans but will contribute what small amount we can out of current income, just not a lot of extra income to contribute. Any feedback is much appreciated!
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plans to major in Chem Eng and minor in International Relations), SAT, (M+CR) - 1380;
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Well, he should test again, but right now, as long as merit offers don’t change, Alabama would give him FREE tuition, plus $2500 per year. Beautiful and state of the art new Eng’g Complex. My son got his ChemE degree from Alabama, so I’m quite familiar with the program and the school.
here’s some pics of the new Science and Engineering Complex…900,000 sq ft of new STEM space
Your costs would be room and board and travel. The 2500 would pay for books and fees. Tuition would be free.
Your D would love the school, too, but it sounds like it would be too costly for her.
UA has great opportunities for Chem. E. Even as a freshmen, you can get research opportunities. If possible, try t apply for Emerging Scholar…perfect opportunities for those who want to be actively engaged in researches.
Also the new buildings are AMAZING!!
Has she looked at Temple? They have good merit which is scaled for OOS based on weighted academic GPA and test scores.