Fingers crossed that they release the financial packages sooner rather than later–DS has been accepted and we’re driving from IL to SC to visit Furman later this week. I’m guessing the cost will be out of our price range to go to U of SC since it’s an OOS public and we didn’t hear about any merit aid, but if it was in the ballpark, we’d visit there as well.
the only new information coming from financial aid will be financial aid, all the merit money was given out already. And from what I understand, unless your FAFSA gave you a really low or “0” EFC, you won’t be getting much money but will be given “loans” lol
That’s pretty much what I figured. I think he’s going to just decide between Furman and TCU now–the offers for those two were only $400 apart from one another and both would be far cheaper than U of SC OOS sticker price. It looks like a great school for business, so I’m a little disappointed, but it absolutely makes sense that they would prioritize financials for their in-state applicants.
U of SC has plenty of merit aid - but you might have needed to apply by Oct 15th. I know not everyone qualified. But they give to many and for us with the in-state minus $500, it’s very competitive. I figure about $28K a year all in including the Honors College fee.
Furman and TCU - two very different - but excellent schools. Good luck.
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Sadly many didn’t get any merit from UofSC this year that I know and had good stats. It is a very high sticker price in comparison to other schools, especially other state schools. Mine got a little merit, which makes it so much harder to decide what to do. Grateful for getting anything but its still a lot of money left to pay.
Unfortunately, college is expensive. We got $22K in essence from U of SC so $50Kis $28K. Even $50K relative to other schools is not bad. FSU and UF are reasonable at full pop…but UMD, UVA, etc. are more. Yeah, lots of schools at full pop are 30-40K - then you add 15K for room and board. College is crazy pricey.
I imagine if people looked at “secondary” or “directional” schools they’d find cheaper tuition - like a Southern Illinois, Western Michigan…perfectly fine schools with much lower tuition. A Bowling Green vs. an Ohio State, etc. A Coastal instead of U of SC. A UNC WIlmington, etc.
For any future readers…
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D just officially declined her offer. It feels a little like breaking up with someone you really care about. A couple months ago we thought for sure it was going to be her choice, but she fell in love with FSU, and since both schools offered her an OOS waiver, love wins. Wishing you all (and your kids) the very best!
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We might be in the same boat. D loves U of SC more - but unsure about Jewish life which FSU has. Researching.
Congrats on being done and yep, it’s odd - kids may like multiple schools but you have to pick your BFF…no others allowed!!
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my son is waitlisted- USC is his top pick! Wonder what the chances are to make it off the waitlist??
I would like to know also!
Understand that a wait list (and my daughter is on two) is really a rejection. Schools have huge ones this year because given test optional and increased applications, they have no idea how many kids will go. I don’t say this to be mean - but you have to detach yourself mentally and assume you’re not getting in. And forget ahead with plans for another school since you won’t hear until after May 1 D-Day. I wish you luck but just be realistic - or you’ll be tortured.
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In looking at last year’s thread, applicants started hearing on March 30th that they were accepted off the waitlist. I think my D may be waiting to see if this happens again but understands that she needs to pick one of the other schools. It’s just driving me crazy because it’s causing her to delay her decision. If UoSC was a true waitlist situation where we definitely wouldn’t find out until after May 1, she would treat it as a rejection and move on. But holding out longer to see if they start to pick away at the waitlist earlier is just dragging this out.
I think if it’s where she wants to go then there is no hard waiting.
Looks like the financial aid portals are being updated. Our “loans” now show. Wondering if anyone else is showing anything more than that?
It shows the standard $5,500 loan plus the scholarship amounts already awarded.
Is the financial aid portal only accessible if you paid the deposit? I can’t find where it is
No you can still set it up without making the deposit or accepting
my daughter is also waiting and it’s so hard to see all her friends accepting at schools while she is stuck in limbo. our usc admissions rep told us we would not hear before may 1 which will mean losing a deposit somewhere else if she does come off the waitlist. the entire waitlist process is awful.
yes WL is a rejection but there for the benefit of the school.
You need to deposit and get stoked about your second choice - and forget U of SC.
Join the wait list - and if you get a note in two months, fantastic.
The worst thing you can do though is get emotionally attached as you have. Time to move on (emotionally) - and yes, it may cost you money or you may be so jazzed with your choice in a month that if U of SC comes calling you forget them.
bottom line - WL is a rejection that is a hedge for their, not your benefit.
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I respect your opinion but I disagree, so for the sake of others who may want another perspective, I’d like to add mine! The pool of applicants was large this year and schools can’t know how many kids were just casting a wide net. Because of this, they are expecting higher numbers of rejected acceptances and since they have their own acceptances goals, their waitlist is very important to them. Stay optimistic, write your admissions counselor a letter about why the SPECIFIC school is your choice, and then just wait. Obviously, you can’t gamble with something like college, so of course you still need to move forward with your top pick from the accepted stack, but a waitlist status is NOT a rejection. For me, the important thing to advocate is for those admitted students that don’t plan to enroll - please reject your spot asap so the waitlisted hopefuls can get their answers sooner than later. The rejection letter will come after all the spots are filled, but until then you should NOT view your waitlist status as a rejection.