<p>I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post in, but here goes.</p>
<p>I'm currently a senior in high school and recently got accepted to Rutger - New Brunswick for SAS. It's very cheap, only about $22,000 something my family could easily pay up front. I have mediocre stats, a 3.5 uw and 1800 SATs. I was wondering it it would be complete dumb/stupid to go to Rutgers for 2 years and then transfer out to a "better" college. I'm not talking Ivy Leagues or anything like that. Just a small nice, maybe top-rated, Liberal Arts College, something like that.</p>
<p>I mostly applied to match and safety school (kinda too late to apply to more). Anyway, I also wanted to do this because I have some AP credits that I could use at Rutgers that'll get me to near sophomore standing by my first year, oppose to just getting me into higher level classes at a Lib. Art College. </p>
<p>I may even take a few classes at my local community college this summer to save on some money. I know that I could just go to my CC for two years and transfer out, but I still want that true college experience. Even though Rutgers isn't something I truly wanted (I originally wanted a more lax and small vibe) but I figure I'll still have fun at Rutgers, it's big, great social life, and huge school spirit.</p>
<p>So has anyone else done this? Does it seem like a good idea? Any thoughts/opinions would be great, thanks.</p>
<p>You say that your parents can afford Rutgers. Will they be able to afford a school that may cost $50k per year?</p>
<p>Well I guess that’s the only thing holding me back. I ran some EFC calculators and ours is about ~10k. Rutgers isn’t particularly excellent with financial aid so I’m really not expecting much. However my parents did say they can afford it without any loans.</p>
<p>I guess when I do apply to colleges my junior year I need to look for ones that are need -blind for transfers. I’m not sure how many are out there though …</p>
<p>Many schools are “need blind” for transfers. That’s not the problem. you’ll need schools that will “meet need” with little or no loans for transfers. BIG difference. </p>
<p>It won’t do you any good to get accepted to one of the many “need blind” schools, if they don’t meet need.</p>
<p>Well in that case, are there many need blind and 100% need met schools for transfers? Like I said I can prety much pay 22k up front. I’m sure I’d get get a small grant perhaps … also my parents said they could take out private loans to help pay.</p>
<p>actually my parents dont want me to pay a dime for college. but i figure i’ll still work during college and summer to help pay. and if anything ill take out loans in my name.</p>
<p>i guess i should really think this whole financial aid thing more in depth.</p>
<p>also, has anyone else done something like this? or heard of someone … ?</p>
<p>Every single year lots of students transfer from large public universities to LACs. What you need to do at Rutgers is perform well in your classes, get to know your professors so that they are willing and able to write letters of recommendation for you, and take advantage of everything that Rutgers has to offer you as a student. If you know now which LACs you are likely to target, read their websites so that you can fulfill most of your general ed. courses at Rutgers and so that you are well prepared for upper level coursework once you do transfer.</p>
<p>If your EFC is 10k, you do need to talk with your parents about where the other 12k is coming from for Rutgers. Just exactly how are they going to pay back those private loans they are planning to take out? Will they be robbing their retirement fund so that they can put you through school? If so, will you ultimately be responsible for supporting them in their retirement? Right now Happydad and I are helping to support his mother. This is not something that is accounted for by the FAFSA, and it means that Happykid has no choice but to commute to our community college for the first two years.</p>
<p>Your parents don’t want you to pay a dime for college. That is a very nice sentiment. However, you need to step up to the plate here too. If you visit the Financial Aid Forum (there is a link on the left-hand side of this screen), you will find lots of useful ideas.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>^Wow thanks for your in-depth reply.</p>
<p>MY EFC is 10k, I’m not exactly sure as to why it is that low. I guess it’s because I have three other siblings in college. My parents have set aside money for all of their children since we were born. Our grandparents are helping out as well (my parents didnt ask but they insisted). My parents also hold stocks and a small farm outside of the US to help pay.</p>
<p>I’m sure paying for Rutgers should be no problem. As for paying for a LAC in the next two years, I’ll be working whenever I can to help supplement them as well. I know they don’t want me to, but it really not paying for a cent for my education just seems a bit selfish imo. </p>
<p>As for the loans, my parents did say that they have no problem taking out money from their 401k, I believe they did say there was a small penalty, but they would be more than happy to do that.</p>
<p>Also, with three other sibling in college (two undergrad, one grad) i’m sure all of us wouldnt mind at all helping us support our parents. after all they did pay for the majority of our education, as well as putting us in private schools. :)</p>
<p>thanks you again, i’ll definitely look into the colleges im contemplating on transferring to and see what kind of requirements or any i should need. ! :)</p>