@ucbalumnus I also got accepted to Case Western Reserve University and received a $22,500/year scholarship, which is not as much as what Carnegie has offered me (which was a surprise).
@rkelly5182 Hm, that’s a good idea. Thanks. I’m from Alabama, and I really…can’t see myself living in here much longer.
@NotVerySmart I’m planning on studying business (Tepper). I’m mainly focusing on working in the summer and earning through internships and other similar opportunities that will also supplement my degree.
@bookworm Nope, I’m doing business and I plan to continue my education past undergrad.
@waytoomanynames Those are some seriously good recommendations. Thanks; I’ll have to try #1.
@millie210 Yeah, the state school is ranked in the top 150, but not nearly as competitive as Carnegie. I live in a college town, and the university has an acceptance rate of >80%.
@katliamom Thanks! I definitely will probe further and hopefully get them to at least tour campus.
Would it be correct to say that you have only three choices:
- CMU, $28,000 per year
- CWRU, $39,000 per year
- Alabama (Tuscaloosa?), $0 to $14,000 per year, depending on whether "full scholarship" means full tuition or full ride
?
Seems like there is one of two things going on:
- Their reason for disliking CMU really is the distance.
- Their reason for disliking CMU really is something else that they do not want to tell you (money?).
@ucbalumnus we’ve been saving up for college since '98 and my dad racks up six figures as a tenured professor. Considering they’re bribing me $10,000/year for me to go in-state, I’m leaning towards #1. Also, I think mental health may also be contributing; I’ve struggled with OCD and depression. I’m a lot more stable and developed productive coping mechanisms, and I am familiar with CMU’s resources (which surpass the state school!).
If they give you $10,000 per year, then the cost of Alabama would be $10,000 to $24,000 per year to them, which is still less than the cost of CMU. Do you really know that it is not about the money? Do they want you to live at home and commute (a common method of saving money when the college is nearby, although sometimes also desired by parents who do not want to let go of their kids)? Is it full tuition or full ride that you got at Alabama?
@comradekiwi I’m rooting for you! You’ve given this lots of thought and know what you can handle.I’m also already impressed by how resourceful you are. (Check out how you’ve researched this decision!) You can tell your parents that if it turns out that your needs aren’t being met at CMU – which doesn’t sound like it would happen – you could always transfer to CWRU, whereas the reverse transfer would probably cost much more due to losing financial aid. You can definitely do this.
It’s totally irrelevant what the size of the scholarship is. What is the NET PRICE of each of the schools?
Apparent net prices are shown in #21, although the OP has not clarified whether “full scholarship” at (presumed) Alabama is full tuition (pretty common) or full ride (less common).
@ucbalumnus @waytoomanynames @GMTplus7 After talking to them (again), it has been clear that money is not the issue. They bumped the bribe up to $28K, which would cost them the same whether I attend Carnegie or Auburn. I have all expenses covered, including things like meal plan. If I attend Auburn, my parents will make me live at home even though housing is additionally covered.
I know this doesn’t help your situation at all - but my D would love to go to Auburn–it is one of her top choices and we are from Pennsylvania and she is most likely headed to Pittsburgh if not Auburn or UA. I understand your parents’ concern about distance - I am struggling with the exact same issue (and same distance just opposite direction). I am trying to let my D drive this decision. Be as mature and reasonable with your parents as you can but at the end of the day if they are paying, they get the final say in the decision. It is a long way but the airfare from Atlanta is reasonable - really making it a much shorter distance than that drive.
Your father is a professor - does he work at Auburn and does he get tuition exchange?
I’ve got to hand it to your parents, @comradekiwi. Since it’s their money some parents would have just insisted you do what they want, but they’re giving you the choice. But I get it that you still feel pressured. Would Auburn work for you if you didn’t have to live at home? Or would CMU work for your parents if you agreed to reevaluate at the end of your freshman year? There must be a good compromise in here somewhere …
Academically it’s a simple choice, but I think it’s down to what works best for you AND your family in the end tbh.
Auburn grad here - so just saying that I’m biased toward Auburn. I can totally understand you wanting a change of scenery. Have you ever visited Carnegie Mellon? Have you perhaps romantized this college? If you haven’t visited I’d suggest that occur before you make the final decision. $28,000 into your pocket each year to go to Auburn should seriously be considered. You can get a great business degree there and then look into amazing business grad schools, while having $122,000 in the bank! I can also understand your parents concern about the distance, especially if you have had some mental health issues. When I was a student at Auburn, my parents were 10 hours away in Ohio. My Dad was transferred by the military right after I graduated high school, so I hadn’t planned to be so far from home. I made that 10 hour drive alone many times (long before cell phones). I know my parents worried like crazy!
Only you can decide. If you do decide to stay at Auburn and on campus housing costs are covered as you say, then if I were you I’d make part of the deal to stay at Auburn that you live on campus freshman year. I feel that is a very important aspect to college life and a step toward independence. After living on campus they should allow you to live on campus or in an apartment with friends until graduation. Make that all part of the deal.
@novicemom23kids What a strange coincidence! And yes, he is a tenured professor, so I would get half tuition. My scholarship covers $4000/year, but because of the discount, all of my tuition is covered.
@vamominvabeach I’ve wanted Carnegie since middle school, so I’ve had a soft spot for the university since then. I’m trying to get my father to at least consider visiting, although he and my mother have seemed to be more at ease with the idea of me going to college there.
Thank you to all who have commented; in short, after talking more with my parents and hearing their concerns, I have been able to assuage their anxieties to an extent, and they have come to terms that it’s time for me to expand my horizons. I cannot wait to see what the next four years have in store at Tepper!