<p>Also re Bragging Rights: this might be a good time to whip out USNWR!</p>
<p>I had the same thought, SBmom, but that might actually backfire. Comparing apples and oranges. Elon is 6th in the "Universities -- Masters (South)" category, while BM is "only" 21st in the Liberal Arts category. I would suggest using the data in USNEWS to get the arguments ready for when, hopefully, the BM acceptance comes. On the website, registered users can do side by side comparisons, and the OP could highlight those things that are important to her that BM has. Quick example:</p>
<p>Size: E--4334 BM--1334
Student faculty ratio E--15:1 BM--8:1
Graduation Rate: E--68% BM--85%</p>
<p>Stuff like that. I wouldn't necessarily highlight the financial info until the aid packages are all in!</p>
<p>Tuition: E--17,555 BM--28,630
Room/Board: E--6010 BM--9700</p>
<p>And, while I don't want to start another flame war about the pros and cons of greek life, I see that Elon is very heavily Greek, 43% in sororities! If sorority life is not your thing, Elon might not be a good choice.</p>
<p>Curlinterrumpted,
I think both the you and Mom need to visit. </p>
<p>How many people have thought a college was a perfect fit- boy, the viewbooks make them all sound perfect - but when you got there either you or your child thought it was just not that great? </p>
<p>All this stress you're under might be really mispaced. You might not get accepted or get the financial aid you need, or you might look at the college and change your mind about it. When my daughter got her acceptances, we did a revisit to one of the top three and she was able to quickly cross it off. BTW, the other one in the top three was Elon.</p>
<p>Where did sister do undergrad work? It is okay for her to be at Yale, but....Hold tight until you get your letters from BM. And if I read you right, it sounds like to need to check the mail yourself, if you think she is sabotaging you. </p>
<p>If dad is willing to pay, and you get the money you need, then do BM. Let your mom be mad a little. You will be an adult, and have to make some decissions for yourself. As a mom, I don't get these moms holding back their children. Yeah, its scary to have a daughter go so far away, but so what. My husband moved here from Ireland when he was 21. Everyone survived.</p>
<p>Wow...tons of replies...I guess this is a fairly hot topic. I'm going to try to answer everyone at once.</p>
<p>"I don't get this, why in the world wouldn't you want your mother to go on a visit with you? But this brings up another question - Have you seen it? My daughter really wanted to visit the college that she's now attending but I insisted on seeing it with her. My only objection was the distance. Once I saw it, I loved it" </p>
<p>Its not that I don't want her to come. I would LOVE for her to come, to support me, and seem truly interested in my opinion about the matter. But I should mention the conversation that we had the other day. She told me that if we were going to visit, she would only pay her own way. Meaning I would have to pay for a plane ticket and half of the hotel room. Which isn't a problem, as I am trying to get a job. I had an interview scheduled last weekend, but she wouldn't get up to drive me there (and I don't have a bus pass, or money to get one with). So basically, I'm stuck (unless I ask my older sister for money. She'd do it, but I can't bring myself to ask). </p>
<p>I'm not so well versed in CC speak. What is an "OP"?</p>
<p>My sister was undergrad at University of Maryland. She's finishing her masters at Catholic University of America right now. And she's my half sister (we have the same father). And if I was going to Yale, getting to CT wouldn't be an issue. She would have booked the plane tickets months in advance.</p>
<p>Wow, airfare that low?!?? That might be doable.</p>
<p>"Sit tight. If BM indeed comes through with a much better package and less in loans, it's totally fair for an 18 year old to tell her parent she is unwilling to assume such debt. There are many articles you can produce to support the fact that many kids get in trouble by taking large loans."</p>
<p>I've told my mom that BM is definitely more likely to come through with a better deal. She knows that I'll be in huge amounts of debt (probably about $40000), but because she won't have to deal with it, its just "not her problem."</p>
<p>Sorry, in this case OP is you. It means "original poster", or the person who starts the thread.</p>
<p>Iderochi, Elron sounds more like a bankrupt Texan corpn
;)</p>
<p>Your mother is emotionally blackmailing you. Personally, as a mother I am appalled. She is looking out for her own best interests. I am assuming some things from your posts. If I were you, I would go where my head is telling me, and if you can pull of BM, do it!!! And if your half sister is willing to help, let her!!</p>
<p>I hope I don't sound to presumptuious, but I think getting away will be very good for you. You have thought things through, but you can't let your mom be so passive aggressive with you, which she is. If your mom is doing what you say she is, it is not to keep you close, because isn't she in fact really pushing you away with her games. It is to keep control. Think back over your life and see if I am even close. Do for your self now, it is your turn!!!</p>