Hello.
I am trying to decide between UIUC and Tulane. As of right now, Tulane would cost about 22k, and UIUC would cost about 14k. I am trying to decide between the two. I truly believe that I would be happiest at Tulane, but not sure if it would be worth the money… I see myself as being very unhappy at UIUC. I am an Illinois resident. I don’t know what to do. It’s obvious my parents want me to go to UIUC, and I’m sure education-wise it would be about the same. But college is about more than that, right? (Btw, not doing engineering).
Thanks!
The 22/14k includes all costs except for travel.
@TheMosby
Would I be correct in saying there would be no loans involved? Also, do you have an intended major, even if you are not set on it?
In the whole scheme of college expenses, 8 grand is not that much. In fact, if you do well at Tulane, maybe they can sweeten the deal in subsequent years. Regrets in life are not good, so I would give a UIUC one more fair and objective look, especially if you are reasonable sure of what you want to study, and if you’re still not inspired I would go to Tulane and learn about ways to increase financial aid in the sophomore year. Best of luck to you!
One of the ways to help cut expenses your sophomore year is to become an RA. You get free housing and $$ towards your meal plan. It was $1800/semester but they just increased it and I’m not sure how much it is now but I can find out if anyone wants to know.
It’s not a fun job, but it’s a great learning experience and a huge help financially.
@fallenchemist correct, no loans. Parents are in the 175-190k income bracket I think. Two other brothers in college, one doesn’t pay any tuition, other doesn’t pay any tuition or room and board. Also, intended major–no clue. Maybe something like math, political science, economics, etc. I like the sound of the political economy major at Tulane. I’m definitely going to double major, as I’m an indecisive person.
@NJDad68 I have been to UIUC many times and know many people who go there. I’ve been in admitted student fb groups and groupmes, and I have a much better connection/stuff in common with tulane kids and almost none with the kids from UIUC. Also, I definitely prefer smaller schools, class sizes, and a more community feel. Could you elaborate on the financial aid aspect during sophomore+ years? That’s be great.
@dolphnlvr6 I think I’d love to be an RA, it seems like an awesome job. I had no idea about the financial discounts, if you could elaborate on the finances and the logistics of becoming one (application process, etc.) that’d be wonderful.
Thank you all so much!
@TheMosby
I will leave it to @dolphnlvr6 to elaborate on the details, but I can say that if you became an RA it would essentially wipe out that difference in costs from 2nd year on.
Even if that didn’t happen, given that there is no debt involved, I have to say Tulane sounds like the better choice for you. Sure, I am biased, but it really seems very clear from everything you say. It is easy for me to spend your parents’ money, but I think the difference in the experiences, the smaller class sizes, the relationships with professors, the fact that you won’t have nearly 3/4 of your classmates being from Illinois all favor Tulane. I am assuming the NOLA vs. Urbana difference goes without saying. And double majoring is so easy at Tulane, because you are accepted to every school at the university, not just one school. So every major from engineering to music, from architecture to political economy is open to you with no barriers.
Best of luck and if there is anything specific that might help, let us know.
@TheMosby
The discounts are incredibly helpful. You can not be an RA until your sophomore year, so you would still have to pay for room and a meal plan freshman year. Early in the second semester of your freshman year they open the application process to become an RA. The best way to make yourself competitive is to be very active in your dorm, get to know your own RA’s, show maturity and leadership, maintain your GPA and don’t get into any trouble. I think that last part goes without saying. Attend the events your RA’s sponsor in your own dorm. Just being active and showing that you can be a leader and make tough decisions is important as you will be supervising your peers and you won’t always be their most favorite person!
Freshman year you can apply to work at the desks. This is also helpful if you can get one of the positions. Basically you work a few 2 hour shifts at one of the front desks in a dorm- unlocking the door, tapping people in, keeping track of who signs out any items that are kept at the desk (usually cleaning supplies, cooking supplies, games etc). This is a paid position and you do not have to be work study eligible. My son didn’t qualify for work study so this was one of the few on campus positions he could get. He likes working overnight shifts, he gets a lot of work done.
Once you are accepted as an RA you will be required to return to campus in early August for training and dorm prep. You don’t get to pick what dorm you will be in, but you will get your own room! They raised the meal plan allowance from $1085 to $1600/semester. You can accept the RA meal plan and be charged nothing, or you can upgrade your meal plan and get that money credited towards it. My son upgraded his meal plan to unlimited swipes because he eats a lot, so I think we ended up paying about $1000 for his meal plan each semester.
Here is a link to Tulane’s RA FAQ, it will give you an idea of the interview process. Good luck and let us know where you end up! https://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/housing/employment/faq-ra.cfm
Just my two cents, but IMO Tulane is probably not the best choice if you are not sure what you want to major in because of the cost. I’m not sure how you got down to 22k without loans, and there are the travel costs, too.; thus I’m pretty sure the difference is more than 8k. The anticipated total cost for freshman year are $67,000 without including travel. If you were interested in Biomedical Engineering, architecture, business or Latin American Studies, it would make sense, but a political science major can be obtained many places at far less the cost.
@dolphnlvr6 Wow, that sounds awesome. The the desk jobs just regular jobs, or do they also provide some sort of financial aid? Also, how competitive is the application process to become an RA? I know nothing about it… would it be about the same at another school such as, let’s say, UIUC?
@UGAdawg Once again, I am undecided and the cost would be 22k, not 67k. And it would be without loans. Also, why do you think that “IMO Tulane is probably not the best choice if you are not sure what you want to major in because of the cost”?
@UGAdawg
Tulane is extremely generous with merit scholarships. I suspect TheMosby is telling us that he received a $32,000 per year scholarship from Tulane, which takes it down to $35,000 and then perhaps he is a NMF, so now $33,000, and of course he may have won an outside scholarship as well. Or he may have received the remaining $11,000 in grant money as part of his need based package, no loans. He sounds like he knows what he is talking about, while you do not appear to know much about Tulane admissions.
I received the 27k scholarship and my parents did College Illinois (http://www.collegeillinois.org/) which pays a certain amount per credit hour, so if I take 15 credit hours per semester it comes out to about 18k. 67-27-18=22. It waivers the tuition at UIUC (14k).
I love Tulane and believe I would fit in and thrive there, so I don’t see why it would be a waste of money @UGAdawg
I know it sounds like I obviously want to go there, but I just am not sure if it justifies the 8k, and wanted some more input other than “this is a waste of money”. Some specific points would be very helpful, thanks!
@fallenchemist
Perhaps he does. I hope he does prior to making this decision. Again, my two cents, there are other jobs in college; thus I would not base such a decision on the hope of being a RA second year. And, my comment had nothing to do with admissions, just the costs of a Tulane education. Something I do know about. And, both of my kids were accepted to Tulane with generous scholarships, with the oldest graduating from Tulane in 2013 cum laude.
Then why wouldn’t you naturally assume he was not paying full ride, the same as you? And admissions = cost when it comes to merit scholarships, because it is admissions that awards them.
I don’t think anyone ever said he should base his decision on the hope of being an RA, its simply one option that provides a HUGE financial benefit. Many students are not aware of this.
@TheMosby - desk positions do not get housing benefits. And becoming an RA is very competitive, thats why I offered suggestions that would help give you a bit of experience and exposure to Housing Res Life.
I’m sure most Universities offer similar opportunities, it’s something you could look into for other schools you may be considering.
So I’m not sure where this leaves me, haha. I think for now I will discuss this with my parents, but please if you think of something keep dropping comments with input!
@fallenchemist
I did not have to assume anything. @TheMosby indicated that his costs were 22k. Clearly, he had to be awarded a merit scholarship and perhaps, the Community Service Fellowship, as well, but 22k seemed to be a low estimation of the total costs of a first year at Tulane. 14k a year at UIUC sounds pretty good.
@TheMosby
I’m a firm believer in “fit”, but you need to decide if Tulane is worth the extra $32K. It is a great school and a great place to live for the next four years. And, as @fallenchemist stated you can be very creative in your choice of two majors at Tulane.
I’m not familiar with 529 plans but you should probably talk to the financial aid department to see what your actual costs will be and how this would be applied. Tulane doesn’t bill per credit hour for full time students and there are a number of fees that you are also required to pay that you may not be factoring in.
https://pandora.tcs.tulane.edu/acctrec/pdfs/2016-2017_Full_Time_UG_costs.pdf
@dolphnlvr6 I have factored in the fees as well. I will have my parents contact the financial aid department. Thanks!
Great, seems like you have all the information you need! Good luck with your decision!