<p>So it's almost time to pick a college to attend, and I'm not any closer to deciding than I was a month ago. I have gotten into A&M, Williams, and attended a program at Rice where they basically told us we were in. I'm not trying to be ungrateful or anything, but I do have some questions and concerns, and anything is appreciated!
In September, my Govt teacher got me all excited and into these top LACs, so I applied, honestly not thinking I would get in. When I got the admission letter from Williams, I was so surprised, but of course my parents weren't happy. It's over $50,000 dollars, and our EFC is around $28,000, so I doubt I would get much aid. I'm visiting in April, and I think it would seriously be best going here, especially since I want the opportunity to live and work in different countries. But again, my parents are concerned and want me to attend A&M since it is the cheapest.
Comparing Rice and A&M, I feel like Rice would obviously be the better option, but with all the Aggie networks and alumni, my parents think I'd be fine graduating from either one. A degree is a degree, right? As long as I graduate I'm fine? That's what I'm stuck pondering.
I know I'll have more opportunities if I go to Williams, but I'm not sure if the debt afterwords would be worth it. And then with Rice and A&M, I feel like I'd be relatively okay if I decided to stay in Texas... But I want to leave!
So please, if there's any input or opinions or absolutely anything you have for me, throw them my way! I don't want my parents to hate me for going to an almost $60,000 school, but I don't want to turn a great school down because of it.
Thank you!</p>
<p>If your EFC is $28K you should get almost $20k in grants, work-study and a small loan. If $28k is too much, that’s a different issue.</p>
<p>I think if her EFC is 28k, and the cost of attendance is $58,900, she will get $30,900 in aid. Actually, they will factor in a bit more for travel costs. I’m guessing $2500 for the loan. Bottom line, she will be asked to pay around what the Williams net price calculator says.</p>
<p>Sheeran, what are you planning to study?</p>
<p>I applied under Economics, but I have no idea if that will change. I opened my financial aid letter about 10 minutes ago and it was based off 2011 information, so it was around $39,000 in aid. But I sent them my corrected CSS profile and FAFSA, since my parents 2012 income was higher, hence the $28,000 EFC, so I think your $30,000 aid estimate is correct.</p>
<p>Is it worth the extra $8,000 a year? A&M will be about $21,000 a year. I don’t know much about the real world after college, so I don’t know if it’d be better to pay extra for a challenging education, or settle for what’s near and cheaper. And my parents will be biased if I ask them, so thank you again.</p>
<p>You have to sit down with your parents and find out of that is going to work. You have some time to make your decision yet. I’m a parent, the financial aid has been consistent based off the yearly EFC. They won’t pull the rug out from under you in subsequent years and not meet your need.
If it’s a workable option for your family financially, visit and see what you think. You have until May 1 so it’s okay to take your time deciding.</p>
<p>I was working off the $50K figure offered, not the true COA.</p>
<p>If the debt falls on you, I think $32K is a lot for a young person to shoulder. If your parents are flexible, that’s a different conversation.</p>
<p>It was worth it to me as a parent to stretch further to send my S to Williams.</p>
<p>Okay. Thank you very much electronblue and mythmom. I will be visiting mid-April for the Previews event, so I’ll see if it’ll be an option then!
And if you don’t mind me asking, mythmom, how does your S like Williams? Does he have a lot of job opportunities already?</p>
<p>My S loved Williams, found his life’s passion which he’d never even thought of before Williams and is in grad school. He discovered this late in the game, so he had only had two courses in this discipline, but I think Williams was instrumental in his being accepted into a grad program.</p>
<p>Have you visited Rice, OP? I’m a fan of Williams, as well, by the way, but Rice’s residential college system is enviable. If you have to decide between A&M and Rice, I’d be taking a good, hard look at Rice: well-known and highly regarded outside of Texas. A&M has its fans, but in the wider world, Rice is the one, especially if you like the college system.</p>
<p>With Your Current Interests: to study Economics… to live & work internationally… to leave Texas</p>
<pre><code> When you visit Williams, learn more about the Center for Development Economics. It’s a master’s level program that might allow some undergraduate involvement.
</code></pre>
<p>.
**In General— Remember that college is a stepping stone. One’s education through high school starts one on a path. For some it’s an end to their formal education. For others, like you and those on this site, it’s the preparation to start college. </p>
<p>College is where you begin seriously to search for and engage in what you want to do with your life.</p>
<p>I believe you recognize this, in that you’re considering long-term debt and have a desire to live and work internationally.</p>
<p>Keep those factors in mind as you and your parents weigh your options. </p>
<p>Williams has potential opportunities that ultimately become one’s stepping stone… BUT, I’m certain other places, like Rice and Texas A&M, do as well. It’s important not only to see what’s available but also realistically evaluate whether you’d take advantage of those opportunities. </p>
<p>I’m a parent of a Williams graduate. Feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>To be brutally honest, an economics or business degree from TAMU is not worth the paper its printed on. Williams has a good economics program and financial aid, but Rice is better if you decide to change majors.</p>
<p>So he stayed more than the 4 years? But that’s great! I’ve read that it’s a good school for finding your path, in a way. Thank you mythmom.
riverrunner, yes I visited in February! The campus was beautiful, the people were kind, and the classes seemed challenging and effective, even the multivariable calculus class with over 100 people. I really liked it. I agree, I think A&M wouldn’t help me outside of this state. Thank you!
Tuppence, thank you! I never thought about that actually, my taking advantage of those opportunities, so yes I will keep that in mind. Okay! I think CC said I have to post more before I can PM people, but I will try.
And kiddo64, that’s perfect! Thanks for the honesty. By better for changing majors, is that because of the distributions system and not declaring until second semester sophomore year?</p>
<p>I don’t agree with kiddo.</p>
<p>My S changed from a music major to a Classics major with no difficulty and is now pursuing Art History.</p>
<p>Liberal arts colleges are very fluid. One doesn’t need to travel between “schools” or petition for a major. Rice may be the same, but Williams certainly doesn’t create obstacles for changing majors.</p>
<p>No, my S was there only 4 years, but taking a few courses at local state U and the reputation of Williams got him into a Masters program without much background. He’s now planning on going after a PhD.</p>
<p>I have heard wonderful things about Rice, so if it is more doable financially I would encourage you to attend unless you really need to get out of Texas.</p>
<p>Please trust me, turning down Williams will be a huge mistake. You will have opportunities there that you would never have had at a second-tier institution like TAMU or even a low first-rate school like Rice. Do everything you can to make money play no part in your decision, because the doors that Williams will open for you are unimaginable. The professors are incredible, the people brilliant and future world-leaders, and your promise will be enhanced. </p>
<p>I transferred to Williams my Junior year, and only wish I had been there for all 4 years to see what I would have been able to accomplish in that case.</p>
<p>Do you want BIG or small-- urban or rural-- New England or stay in Texas. </p>
<p>I am not much for the college rankings but USNWR has Williams as the number 1 undergraduate education. I have no idea if it is is number one-- but it is amazing. And you get to get people you are a Purple Cow :)</p>
<p>TAMU is in the ugliest place on the face of the earth, Williams in one of the most beautiful, and Rice is a hellish urban sprawl of a place. Seems a no-brainer to me.</p>
<p>@econprofessor, I’ll grant you that Williams is beautiful but you are wrong on Rice. My daughter and wife deliberately visited in August to sample the university at its hottest time of the year. They came back saying it was as hot as hell, but were both struck by the tremendous beauty of the campus. The residential hall system is also a huge plus as far as I (an Oxford alum) am concerned. Very few US universities can offer an experience like that.</p>
<p>sorry…meant to say that Rice is <em>in</em> a hellish urban sprawl of a place. Not a big fan of Houston.</p>
<p>@econprofessor, no argument from me on the rest of Houston and nothing can compare to the bucolic charm of Williams…</p>