<p>I have a dilemma, regarding this whole process. Recently, I was admitted to Wesleyan University, the college of my dreams for the past year or so. The problem?</p>
<p>I would be coming out with over $80,000 in debt.</p>
<p>Is it worth going? I love it a lot, but my state school's four years costs less than a single year there, and it's really not too bad. Is there a way I could negotiate with financial aid if I explained my situation (I have a spending cap, and my parents can't afford more than what is already saved) ?</p>
<p>we're trying to make the exact same decision--</p>
<p>UC:
pros: can pay in cash = no student loans at graduation; very well known in our home state, local (my screen name says it all)
cons: huge, impersonal education, very little prestige, possible difficulty being accepted into quality grad programs. </p>
<p>private:
pros: great name, smaller class size, more personal attention, leg up on grad school admission???
cons: money, distance (the ones we're looking at anyway are far away) </p>
<p>I keep thinking that if we took all that money and put it into a mutual fund, it could probably provide a pretty nice down payment on a house after he graduates. </p>
<p>Wesleyan does. On the FAFSA and CSS, however, my EFC is too high to garner any aid at all. Simply put, yes, my family is slightly upper middle class, and while we aren't qualifiers for financial aid, we need some to help get us through...so there's the dilemma.</p>
<p>We are from NJ and are probably similar to your family in terms of being middle/upper middle class. I read a few of your past posts. You don't need to respond on the message board, but what about TCNJ or Goucher? Is Goucher coming in less expensive than Wesleyan? Are those the only 2 options? If they are, and you were my child, you would be going to Rowan fortunately, or unfortunately. My son knew that he needed to be within a budget. He met that budget by going to an OOS public, but he was able to pick between 5 out of his 10 acceptances. The other 5 schools were not affordable for us, and he did not want (nor would we allow) massive loans.</p>
<p>It depends what you want to major in and what career you want. For example:If you want to be a teacher,I would go to the state school. They usually have excellent teacher's ed program. If you want to go to law school, you probably have a better chance of getting into a top law school, going to Wesleyan.</p>
<p>I have the EXACT same problem with my college, Smith and my state school.
I received no aid from there (I don't understand why cause I'm far from being rich...trust me) but what I'm going to try to do is ask for more by comparing its no aid package to another college that gave me money.</p>
<p>You should try doing that. Have you been accepted to another college that gave you a lot of aid?</p>
<p>But truthfully, you should make your decision on where you believe you'd be MOST happy going to. Don't go to one place and regret it forever. Both probably have its goods and bads but where you feel happiest is most important because afterall, you'll be spending the next four years of your life there. Just some advice from one troubled senior to another.
Good Luck!</p>
<p>gonnamisshim: The UCs are actually very well-known even outside of state. At least Berkeley, UCLA, and maybe UC San Diego. I think that UCs are not only more economical, they provide an excellent education! Only problem is large class sizes.</p>
<p>I'm having the same problem! Arizona State University is PAYING me $12,500 a year to stay in-state...my dad teaches there as well, so tuition is free. Basically, it's money in my pocket. The problem is that I just got into Duke, my dream school. They have a FAR superior program in public policy...there's no comparison...in fact, I don't think ASU even has public policy. Still, I'd be coming out $60,000 in debt. And if I decide to go to law school, that's even more debt. My parents are okay with paying 2/3 of it and having me take out that huge loan, because they feel the education is worth it. Still- I'm having doubts about whether I should, essentially, mortgage my future.
Ultimately, though, will you really regret it if you don't go to Wesleyan? That's something important to consider. I know I'll probably regret it for a long time if I pass up Duke. It's important to be practical, but life isn't always about practical decisions...sometimes you've got to go for it and take the risk. Still, I see your dilemma. How much money are you saving by going in-state?</p>
<p>I was discussing this with my parents earlier. I really want to go to Smith (same as Mango!) but we're upper middle class in nj too. We're not going to get any money considering all our assets, my parents income, and my grandparents money we're set to inherit. (do they look at that? I have no clue) So yeah, I'm screwed over too. Especially since I was raised with the fact that I'm paying for college and grad school myself. =/</p>
<p>Gah, same problem. I really love Northwestern (#2 dream school) and think it's a much better fit for me, but is it worth passing up UCLA (~100k cheaper over 4 years) for? Probably not, but... ergh.</p>
<p>I have the same dilemma. I got into Wash U (#1 choice), but is it worth passing up UCLA or UC Berkeley. As of right now, Wash U isn't offering any money but they are flying me out for an expense-paid admitted student weekend. Is it worth the 80 grand?</p>
<p>no way. you are spoiled. just take the state school. at least your parents pay. i have no chance for financial aid thanks to an 82k efc, and my parents expect for college i pay myself like "any responsible adult" would.</p>