<p>So here's my bottom line: minus parental contribution, work-study, and Duke's need-based grants, there's a $5,000 annual gap in my financial aid package, which they offered to cover with Stafford loans. </p>
<p>My parents have explained to me quite clearly that I would have to cover this $5,000 per year myself (meaning I would have to eventually pay back the $20,000+).</p>
<p>Vanderbilt (and mostly likely Davidson..although I haven't heard back from them yet) have offered me packages nearly identical to Duke's, except that they included grants in place of the loans. My only other option is UT-Austin (and their liberal arts honors program), which is only slightly cheaper (but again, no loans required).</p>
<p>So...this begs the ultimate question: is Duke really worth $20,000+ out of my own pocket?</p>
<p>P.S. Currently, I plan on majoring in something very "impractical" and humanities-oriented, like English or Philosophy, and then going to law school (more $$$), so keep that in mind.</p>
<p>P.P.S. The loan is unsubsidized, so the Stafford 6.8% interest rate applies...</p>
<p>I’ll say that $20000 in total after 4 years is not bad for undergrad. But personally, I’m a very debt-averse person. If I were in that situation, I would be very torn.</p>
<p>^ Ish. But you have to remember that college is more than just the ticket price. I need extra cash for living expenses and random things like TRAVEL, which, from Durham to Texas (maybe twice a year: once for Christmas, once for Spring Break or Summer), is freaking expensive, lol.</p>
<p>I’ve got a somewhat similar situation, wondering whether Duke (or Wash U–very similar packages from both) is worth 40K more over four years than Emory. At least tuition would be covered by aid/merit scholarship at all three schools, though. Premed by the way, so I already know I’ll be SOL in debt in ten years.</p>
<p>Guess I’ll figure out come Blue Devil Days and Multicultural Weekend…</p>
<p>@ eatsalot, right now, I think I’m going to take it
I was sort of waiting to see if anyone could successfully dissuade me (my college counselor and my parents are trying…to no avail. I’ve got most of my awesome teachers on my side, though :P)</p>
<p>Remember that Duke students have nearly a 99 percent acceptance rate into law school :)</p>
<p>I was recently speaking with some people I know who graduated from Duke and are currently paying back their loans who said they’d still go to Duke if they had to do it all over again. I think that’s one really great aspect about Duke; I have never met anyone (in person, not on CC) that hasn’t really, really enjoyed his/her time there. Obviously, cost is a major issue, but so is your happiness over your 4 college years.</p>
