<p>Great! Good luck!</p>
<p>This is just something I can't get over - I've seen all these people on CC who are amazing students and great people, yet a lot of them are saying, "Well, I'd really like to go to X, but they're not giving me enough money, so I'm gonna have to go to Y."</p>
<p>This happened to a friend of mine several years ago - he got accepted to MIT, Caltech, UCBerkeley and Stanford, yet had to go to Texas A&M because they offered him a full ride and none of the others offered anything. He gave me this advice: "If at all possible, go to your first choice." He said he regretted not going to one of the top-tier schools, but he wasn't well-informed and didn't know how much student loans can help.</p>
<p>I realize that for a lot of you, you seriously can't go to CMU because of finances - it's just impossible. However, if you're borderline, and you really, really want to go to CMU, get some loans and go. You don't want to find yourself regretting your decision not to go later. Besides, a CMU education will give you major points in the job market, especially for techies. It ought to pay for itself.</p>
<p>I'm just trying to put things in perspective here. If you really can't attend, don't. If you're not sure CMU is right for you and they haven't given you enough aid, think long and hard. Take my advice for what it's worth; I don't want to push anyone into making rash decisions. </p>
<p>Good point, ThinkDifferent. Anecdotal stories can be revealing.</p>
<p>It would be interesting to know how graduates who have been in the work force for 5 or 10 years feel about the prestige value of colleges. I speak generally, not only about cmu. Was the money spent (or borrowed) worth it?</p>
<p>Maybe there are some statistics on salaries of graduates with a particular degree from various colleges?</p>
<p>CMU College Rep,</p>
<p>Thanks for the elucidation on scholarships. You stated they were renewable but are they automatically renewable or do you have reapply?</p>
<p>I remember being told that scholarships were automatically renewable but grants were not. I think you just have to keep a certain grade point average to keep the scholarship.</p>
<p>I thought so too but I'm just trying to make sure. I recieved an Institutional Scholarship to be specific. That's why I'm skeptic.</p>
<p>My son got an Institutional Scholarship. He got it when we appealed aid offers from other colleges.It has shown up in the same amount each year, he graduates in May; I think he needed only a 2.0.</p>
<p>Dear Carnegie Mellon Admissions Rep and Other Helpful Posters,
Thanks for your advice on this and other threads during these past weeks. I appreciate your kind suggestions. My son has decided to go to an honors program at a state school because his first choice was simply too expensive (required maximum stafford loans of approximately $17K for son and $60K in parental loans, on top of every available cash dollar.) We are all trying to manage our resources to consider the younger sister and graduate school. I believe we tried the best we could to exhaust every option for additional financial aid, and CMU is losing a fine student. </p>
<p>I must say that I think the first nail in the coffin was the huge EFC that was determined by the FASFA. This methodology really hits the middle class families hard. Too rich for need based aid, too poor to actually afford a private school education. </p>
<p>The final nail was too little merit aid, given the determined lack of need. While we were pleased that CMU looked at competing offers, the offers were only matched at about a 20% rate.</p>
<p>We are all sort of relieved that the process is over, and I believe that things will work out for the best. A great student is a great student anywhere. Thanks again, and best wishes to the other students on this thread.</p>
<p>lfk725,</p>
<p>As much as I like CMU, I think your son is making the right choice. Best of luck to him. I'm sure he'll do great.</p>
<p>lkf725: that's a real shame. I'm always distressed when I see posts like these where students have to forgo going to a great college for a reason that really shouldn't have anything to do with it, and in theory, doesn't. I'm in somewhat the same situation, except my parents and I are determined to make it work, so we're taking out some loans and I'm going to CMU (unless I get in off Stanford's waitlist and they can beat CMU's offer).</p>
<p>Well, good luck to you, ThinkDifferent. I'm sure you will have a great experience at either place! I understand that your Texas friend regrets his decision, but hindsight is always 20/20. If his young adult life was burdened by excessive loans, he might regret that in some way also. I hope you hear good news from Stanford, but if not, all the best to you at CMU!</p>