I am in a frustrating dilemma of trying to choose a school to attend in the Fall. I recently got admitted into Williams College in QB regular decision. As a Questbridge Finalist with a low income (EFC 0), Williams meet 100 percent aid, including zero loans, and everything covered with institutional grants and financial aid. Even better, they added a 10k bonus for books/expenses etc for the entire year. I was (and still am) stoked about this, but just yesterday, UC Berkeley came out. As I applied on a whim, I had no idea that I would get in as Out of State resident.
Well, I did. I got into undeclared L & S.
I am excited, and would lean towards Berkeley. However, as an OOS, there is zero FA. In my FA, I would have to take out 60k/yr in loans (subsidized/unsubidized & 59k Federal Parent Plus) as a low income OOS student. Therefore, I would graduate with about 200-250k in loans approx. after 4 years.
With that said, Berkeley has worldwide name recognition (ranked 7 in the world), and I would feel crushed not to take the opportunity to attend such a renowned prestigious school. I am planning on doing data science/CS/finance and getting into tech or finance after graduation, and Berkeley is high caliber in those fields.
Any advice, suggestions or thoughts? Would it be worth it to take the opportunity, and pay the hefty price after graduation? Any ideas on scholarships, or trying to afford Cal?
Thank you for the quick reply. Williams does seem like the sound decision financially, but Berkeley is also renowned. An important factor and drawback for Williams is the rural location vs urban location of Berkeley with proximity to silicon valley, as I plan on working in tech. I prefer the latter, but am not sure if the high cost is worth it.
For UC Berkeley, I do not think it admits by major. Rather, by the college. I got into L&S, but the major I applied for is Data Science. For Williams, there is no general college or major, it’s just the university itself. Once I am in either places, Williams or Berkeley, I will need to take pre-requisites with a certain GPA to secure a CS/Data Science major -so the process is the same.
But here the issue is cost, personal preference, and arguable name recognition amongst the two schools.
Williams logically, financially and in many aspects is an excellent option, and the better one. But the name and international value of Berkeley is where I am having a hard time justifying not to attend, despite the 240k altogether loan debt that I’d have to pay back, as a low income OOS student.
Williams logically, financially and in many aspects is an excellent option, and the better one. But the name and international value of Berkeley is where I am having a hard time justifying not to attend, despite the 240k altogether loan debt that I’d have to pay back, as a low income OOS student. Between Berkeley vs Williams, especially for tech, Berkeley rivals some of the best schools including Stanford and MIT. Williams is also great, but I am not sure if it falls in the same scope.
@merc81 This is a very difficult decision, and I am now regretting applying to Berkeley. If I hadn’t applied on a whim and subsequently gotten in, it would not be this difficult. Williams would win easily.
My parents are willing to do that, and they have an excellent credit score, so they can. But I will, and plan on paying the full cost after graduation.
I don’t understand how this decision is difficult.
If you have no money, who is going to lend you money ?
Williams is one of the most renowned colleges in the world. Anyone is lucky to attend, and at no cost, you’ve won the lottery.
If you are international, you’re likely going to earn a low salary when you go home.
No one should be under huge debt. No one.
You got into Williams for free. If it was Wyoming instead, the answer would be the same.
One shouldnt strangle themselves financially.
In this case, I can’t imagine there’s a financial organization that would take the risk on you. At $0 EFC you have no one to co sign I assume. You say your parents will but I can’t imagine anyone would lend them. For you to have a $0 EFC, how can they possibly get credit ??
The problem is, you don’t have the money, and apparently neither do your parents. Burdening your low income parents with $200k+ debt is a bad idea for both you and them. In the worst case, you could get part way through, accumulating a lot of debt, then be forced to drop out because you and your parents cannot get any more loans because you and your parents already have more debt than you can handle.
@tsbna44 I am a born in the US, and raise here, so I am not international. I am planning on working in tech. I have spoken to UC Berkeley FA, and the majority is 60k Federal Parent Plus Loans. My parents credits score is excellent, and Federal Parent Plus loans are under the US dept of education
250k loan for a low income household is way too much. Its too much for anyone! Also there is no guarantee you would get into CS if you’re admitted undeclared. Even if you got into a Cs major, there is no guarantee of a high paying job so that you could quickly pay back the loan,which will be under your parents name, accruing like 7% interest. Cost of living in CA is high.
Take the Williams College offer. You will get a great education and have excellent opportunities.