<p>So, here's the deal: I really really like Tulane and have fortunately been accepted w/ 20k a year. So that brings the cost down to ~$30,000. But the thing is, I've also been accepted to the University of Texas (which will be something around $15,000 at max) and the University of Pittsburgh (which, with scholorships, will be about $15,000 as well). Obviously I want to go somewhere I'll be happy. But my parents (who will thankfully fund my undergraduate studies) see the $15,000 schools as more attractive. I guess what I'm asking is...how do I justify the costs? I'm sure my parent's will warm up to the idea of Tulane eventually...but what can I do to convince them? </p>
<p>Now that I think about it...this question's weird.</p>
<p>The question is not wierd at all.</p>
<p>To me it’s the difference between safety schools and a match school. I’m basing that on SAT scores shown on the collegeboard web site and what I’ve seen in your prior posts. I can also see that you did not get into the honors program at Tulane, but did at Pitt (although you know you can apply to Tulane honors after your first year). As a parent, I’d much rather visit DS in New Orleans than Pittsburg or Dallas (no disrespect!). Ultimately, in my opinion, the strength of the program you want to pursue should be the most important factor. Although, in this case it’s not my (or your) wallet being tapped.</p>
<p>No, it isn’t weird at all. It comes up a lot. To me, what it comes down to is value and affordability. Let’s start with the latter. If the extra $60,000 (15x4) is a lot of money to your family, or is money that would be available to you after undergraduate for post-graduate education or to help out with a car, house, (whatever) and otherwise they couldn’t help you in that way, then that money is probably better saved. The exceptions would be if there were some program at Tulane you couldn’t get at those other places, which seems unlikely (Masters of architecture as possible example(?), although that would be 5 years), or you feel the hugeness of Texas is something that you feel sure would make you unhappy. Pitt is about twice the size of Tulane also, and personally I think it is one of the ugliest campuses around, but it is a fine school.</p>
<p>That gets to value. If you can make a case that you would thrive in an environment like Tulane’s due to size, higher quality of a particular department, something that is worth $15K a year to you, then you have to marshall those arguments and make them rationally. It is a lot of money. You say they see the other schools as more attractive. You mean regardless of the money, or because of the lower cost? I know from another posting you had they are worried about how safe New Orleans is. Having also lived in Pittsburgh for 10 years, I can tell you that Pitt and Tulane are about equally safe. Tulane is actually in a better area of New Orleans than Pitt is in Pittsburgh, but neither is a real problem. I don’t know anything about the Honors Program at Pitt but I do see you got into it.</p>
<p>You have good choices, that’s for sure. Not like going to Pitt or UT is a negative. I guess you have to articulate why you prefer Tulane to the other schools to yourself, and then turn that into a $15K/year value proposition. Bounce some ideas off the CC group while you have time. Because honestly if you can’t, then it is more emotional and/or frivolous than logical, and while there is sometimes nothing wrong with that, it makes it tough to justify $15K/year. Unless again, your family is wealthy enough that it is inconsequential. I am guessing that is not the case.</p>
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<p>OK AVHS Dad, you are going to get called on this so I might as well be the one to do it. Austin! Austin! Most live music of any place, they say.</p>
<p>Oh, and I can tell you are from California. In Pennsylvania it is Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Ah, I assumed that it was UT Dallas. I’d still rather visit NOLA.
(actually, my father went to U North Texas)</p>
<p>Pittsburgh?
No, you east coasters spell it wrong.
There is no “h” in Pittsburg!
(;^)</p>
<p>[City</a> of Pittsburg](<a href=“http://www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us/]City”>http://www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us/)</p>
<p>Really, your Dad went to North Texas State (as it was known then) in Denton, home of the best college jazz band ever and a whole bunch of Miss Texas and Miss America winners? That’s pretty cool. I have listened to the music of the One O’Clock Lab band for years.</p>
<p>Nah, you people east of the Ohio are just too lazy to spell it right. We were first.</p>
<p>You need also consider that tuition, fees and expenses will go up every year. Housing is generally be more expensive for sophomore/junior years than freshman housing, although usually upperclass might offer more choices in meal plans and usually by junior year you do have the option of living off-campus which generally saves money although there are other expenses with living off-campus.Depending where the school is located, off-campus apts may or may not be cheaper than on-campus. The academic program and opportunities for research or internships possibilities is really the key-honors programs have many advantages and unless a school is truly outstanding or extremely well-regarded for that particular dept. they are somewhat similar choices academically. UT-Austin is a huge school compared with both Pitt and Tulane and three very different living environments.</p>
<p>Yeah, that was about 60 years ago though. He said he had a buddy that had picked cotton before he came to NT. Whenever college got tough, he’d think back to those cotton fields and it didn’t seem that tough anymore.</p>
<p>Uh, sorry to be the one to point this out, but California is WEST of the Ohio.
That’s okay, it’s Friday!
WHO DAT!!!</p>
<p>LOL
I am map dyslexic I guess. Or can I make the excuse I was going the long way around to say it was east? Wow. TGIF.</p>
<p>Have a great weekend and Geaux Saints!</p>
<p>Oh, and bookmama those are good points, although in the round numbers he is talking about I don’t think the difference in housing costs later are probably overly material. Very true that on pure academics, all can give a good experience. Tulane probably the most undergrad focused of the three though, and at UT he would definitely get classes taught by TA’s.</p>