High School Class 2013: Picking Colleges..Check in Here!

[ugadog99]

I'm sorry, Christine. I totally understand. My daughter is committed to Otterbein, and I know it is a wonderful school for theatre. However, it isn't her first choice and not where I would have picked. Unfortunately, Point Park was just too far out of our financial reach. Otterbein is going to be bad enough. The loss of Point Park is one neither of is getting over easily.

 

[marcyinPA]

So, I feel good that we are making progress but it's really hard to turn down a school that you really liked. It would be great if money was no object!!!

I know what you mean. We just told DS's top choice that he wouldn't be attending because of money.

I know it is frustrating, and I have been trying to have this "it happens for a reason" mindset. But I know that is really hard to think that way when your kid is broken up about it. I feel guilty that we can't do more for our son. Unfortunately, a series of hard times (job layoffs and pay cuts) set us back quite a bit, and saving for retirement took a front seat to saving for college. We do what we can, while still trying to help him get the best experience.

We are seeing an accountant this afternoon to try and get a handle on how to pay for the state school he was accepted to. Most of the money DS has for college is in savings bonds, which are unfortunately in his name. He has several thousand dollars of money that I'm not sure we can use tax free, and may end up hurting us in the long run. We still have not received a firm financial aid package from them, but did receive a verbal. We will need to cough up more than I had anticipated and we are going to have to get creative with how we are going to pay for it. We have also put community college on the table as an alternative, but my DS does not want to go there. He will listen to our ideas about it, but in the end, he has his heart set on going away (even if it's only 45 minutes away). This has been a very difficult thing to go through in the past several weeks, and our emotions have been all over the place.

So right now, we still have no decision- but the deposit is due Wednesday. God help us!!

 

[maxaroni]

I know what you mean. We just told DS's top choice that he wouldn't be attending because of money.

I know it is frustrating, and I have been trying to have this "it happens for a reason" mindset. But I know that is really hard to think that way when your kid is broken up about it. I feel guilty that we can't do more for our son. Unfortunately, a series of hard times (job layoffs and pay cuts) set us back quite a bit, and saving for retirement took a front seat to saving for college. We do what we can, while still trying to help him get the best experience.

We are seeing an accountant this afternoon to try and get a handle on how to pay for the state school he was accepted to. Most of the money DS has for college is in savings bonds, which are unfortunately in his name. He has several thousand dollars of money that I'm not sure we can use tax free, and may end up hurting us in the long run. We still have not received a firm financial aid package from them, but did receive a verbal. We will need to cough up more than I had anticipated and we are going to have to get creative with how we are going to pay for it. We have also put community college on the table as an alternative, but my DS does not want to go there. He will listen to our ideas about it, but in the end, he has his heart set on going away (even if it's only 45 minutes away). This has been a very difficult thing to go through in the past several weeks, and our emotions have been all over the place.

So right now, we still have no decision- but the deposit is due Wednesday. God help us!!

I can sympathize with all of you. It is so very hard and confusing. My DS is. 2011 HS graduate and its now 2 yrs later so I can sit back and remember theses days. We have "x" amount of money set aside and were very seriously hurt with the recession. We told DS that where he goes will be how long the money lasts. We tried th CC route and he wanted nothing to do with it. He picked a state school 2 hrs away for $23K per year. NJ State schools are still expensive. He got through 1.5 semesters, totally hated it and withdrew. He is currently at the CC and wished he started there. We lost $ on his 2nd semester but not much we could do. He will transfer to a local college and still live home when he's done with CC (his choice) as he knows he blew money away and wants as little debt as possible. Our neighbor got there DS to go to CC by offering to buy him a car. The car won out. We've made mistakes along the way but in the end it will work out.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Christine--I totally get you not being comfortable with the decision. It's such a huge one, and we all wish money didn't play a role, but of course, it does. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the college costs and loans for DD.

One thing I will say--I don't know anything about James Madison specifically, but I've heard of the idea of the general engineering major. It actually makes a lot of sense. Even when I was in engineering school (back in the Stone Age, i.e., the 1980's), there were a ton of overlapping classes, and it wasn't possible to take all the classes in your major (EE, in my case). So, switching from, say, electrical to chemical was darn near impossible, especially if graduating in 4 years was your goal. And this was when computers were still in their relative infancy. So, the good news if he winds up there is that he'll have a lot of good engineering basics that should easily transfer to any other school. You're right about aerospace having a high drop-out rate, so concentrating on the mech. eng. end of things, and gong for aerospace as a graduate program, makes a lot of sense. If he's dedicated, he'll make it through--or, maybe he'll find another branch that suits him better. FTR, DH is an ME currently working as a nuke--something he never studied as an undergraduate.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I can sympathize with all of you. It is so very hard and confusing. My DS is. 2011 HS graduate and its now 2 yrs later so I can sit back and remember theses days. We have "x" amount of money set aside and were very seriously hurt with the recession. We told DS that where he goes will be how long the money lasts. We tried th CC route and he wanted nothing to do with it. He picked a state school 2 hrs away for $23K per year. NJ State schools are still expensive. He got through 1.5 semesters, totally hated it and withdrew. He is currently at the CC and wished he started there. We lost $ on his 2nd semester but not much we could do. He will transfer to a local college and still live home when he's done with CC (his choice) as he knows he blew money away and wants as little debt as possible. Our neighbor got there DS to go to CC by offering to buy him a car. The car won out. We've made mistakes along the way but in the end it will work out.

I'm living this now. DD could go to CC (Hudson Co. ) for free but she wants no part of it. Went to Monmouth University yesterday and she loved it. What's not to love. Except the pricetag. Right now it's at $40,500 per year and she qualified for about $12k in merit. But I had to point out that I thought the marine science program at Richard Stockton seems better than MU. Since it was a tour and not an open house she didn't get to listen to the departmental presentation but an admission's counsellor gave her his card and said he'd be happy to put her in touch with a professor from that department. We also have the option of going back for an open house in October. The deal with Richard Stockton, which is less expensive and seems to have a better program, is that she will get a used car. I can't see her living there without one. But I do have to admit the campus of MU is stunning. But it can't be about the campus, it has to be about the program.

 

[mom2rtk]

So, it seems we've reached a final decision today. Not feeling too great about it yet.

DS was accepted into West Virginia University's Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering program. This major has an in-state rate for Virginia residents. My DD attends this school and we do love it, but, financially it is very risky for us. My DD started at this school with an "in-state tuition" major but just changed it last year. So for at least two semesters we are paying out-of-state rates. I can tell you--it's not pretty, especially with #2 entering college in the fall.

Mech/Aerospace has a very high wash-out rate and we were all concerned that he would love the school and either disliek the major or not be able to make it and then he would be left with having to change schools because I cannot afford for him to stay there.

It was with a very heavy heart that he cancelled his acceptance this morning.

He is now on-track for attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. We visited about 2 weeks ago and it was a great experience. We loved just about everything about it; however, the engineering major is not what he wants. It is general engineering, it is a newish major for this school. But, we figured, if he washes out of the major, he has about 190 other majors to choose from and he can stay there. If he decides that engineering is for him and he wants to specialize, he can transfer out from there and probably could end up at WVU once he's sure.

Of course, his top choice is Virginia Tech. He's on the waitlist there. If he gets pulled off, he will attend there under a non-engineering major and try to transfer in later if that's what he still wants.

So, I feel good that we are making progress but it's really hard to turn down a school that you really liked. It would be great if money was no object!!!

So you definitely know what I meant by "gulping hard" and moving forward.

I hope all goes well for him. I bet it gets easier to get excited once you get a little more time past turning down the other school.

 

[krcit]

I don't know if I posted. My daughter chose Binghamton. Very excited for her!

 

[marcyinPA]

I can sympathize with all of you. It is so very hard and confusing. My DS is. 2011 HS graduate and its now 2 yrs later so I can sit back and remember theses days. We have "x" amount of money set aside and were very seriously hurt with the recession. We told DS that where he goes will be how long the money lasts. We tried th CC route and he wanted nothing to do with it. He picked a state school 2 hrs away for $23K per year. NJ State schools are still expensive. He got through 1.5 semesters, totally hated it and withdrew. He is currently at the CC and wished he started there. We lost $ on his 2nd semester but not much we could do. He will transfer to a local college and still live home when he's done with CC (his choice) as he knows he blew money away and wants as little debt as possible. Our neighbor got there DS to go to CC by offering to buy him a car. The car won out. We've made mistakes along the way but in the end it will work out.

PA state schools are not cheap either. Almost $19K per year. I swear, we live in the wrong states!

I think a little part of me is worried that my DS might do the same thing as yours- end up not liking it as much as he thought he would- and then that money is down the drain. But like you did, I feel like we have to give him a chance. He is adamant that this is what he wants- that he loves Kutztown U and can see himself there. We've visited twice now, and he loved it even more the second time. I hope he stays with it if we go that route- but like you- if he doesn't, we will have to re-group and move on. We tried the car "bribe", btw- and my DS could care less. He doesn't even have his license yet. He goes on Tuesday for the test- round 2. Failed the last one because he forgot to signal parallel parking. Grr.

 

[marcyinPA]

I don't know if I posted. My daughter chose Binghamton. Very excited for her!

Congrats!!! She must be relieved to know that she has passed another hurdle and is one step closer!!

 

[mom2rtk]

PA state schools are not cheap either. Almost $19K per year. I swear, we live in the wrong states!

I think a little part of me is worried that my DS might do the same thing as yours- end up not liking it as much as he thought he would- and then that money is down the drain. But like you did, I feel like we have to give him a chance. He is adamant that this is what he wants- that he loves Kutztown U and can see himself there. We've visited twice now, and he loved it even more the second time. I hope he stays with it if we go that route- but like you- if he doesn't, we will have to re-group and move on. We tried the car "bribe", btw- and my DS could care less. He doesn't even have his license yet. He goes on Tuesday for the test- round 2. Failed the last one because he forgot to signal parallel parking. Grr.

Best of luck to him on that second driving test. My oldest had a terrible time and just sitting in the car with the uniformed examiner made him too nervous to concentrate. We ended up having to hire a private teacher to take him out. He finally passed 2 days before starting his daily commute to college.

It does sound like your son has the "drive" to go where he's headed. I do think that's half the battle. If they want it really bad, they are more willing to fight for their success.

 

[whoiam]

.

 

[corpcomp]

So, it seems we've reached a final decision today. Not feeling too great about it yet.

DS was accepted into West Virginia University's Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering program. This major has an in-state rate for Virginia residents. My DD attends this school and we do love it, but, financially it is very risky for us. My DD started at this school with an "in-state tuition" major but just changed it last year. So for at least two semesters we are paying out-of-state rates. I can tell you--it's not pretty, especially with #2 entering college in the fall.

Mech/Aerospace has a very high wash-out rate and we were all concerned that he would love the school and either disliek the major or not be able to make it and then he would be left with having to change schools because I cannot afford for him to stay there.

It was with a very heavy heart that he cancelled his acceptance this morning.

He is now on-track for attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. We visited about 2 weeks ago and it was a great experience. We loved just about everything about it; however, the engineering major is not what he wants. It is general engineering, it is a newish major for this school. But, we figured, if he washes out of the major, he has about 190 other majors to choose from and he can stay there. If he decides that engineering is for him and he wants to specialize, he can transfer out from there and probably could end up at WVU once he's sure.

Of course, his top choice is Virginia Tech. He's on the waitlist there. If he gets pulled off, he will attend there under a non-engineering major and try to transfer in later if that's what he still wants.

So, I feel good that we are making progress but it's really hard to turn down a school that you really liked. It would be great if money was no object!!!

I know how you are feeling. DS is making the decision today between Georgia tech and Villanova. GT is 40k and Nova is $58k. He loves the look of Nova but GT is the much better school for Engineering and Computer Science and he got into the Honors program at GT so to me it's a no brainer. Neither will give us any financial aid. But it's 750 miles versus 160. I tried to tell him he should consider the educational opportunities and intern opportunities first and the style of school second and if he picks Nova we will not allow him to study abroad since its another 6k on top of the tuition and I,m not sure we can afford the senior year which will be about $68K. GT gives us the in state rate of 9K during the time abroad. Just no comparison to me but DW told him that money should not be a consideration, even though we may have to take out large private loans and I am five years from retirement.

 

[ugadog99]

I know how you are feeling. DS is making the decision today between Georgia tech and Villanova. GT is 40k and Nova is $58k. He loves the look of Nova but GT is the much better school for Engineering and Computer Science and he got into the Honors program at GT so to me it's a no brainer. Neither will give us any financial aid. But it's 750 miles versus 160. I tried to tell him he should consider the educational opportunities and intern opportunities first and the style of school second and if he picks Nova we will not allow him to study abroad since its another 6k on top of the tuition and I,m not sure we can afford the senior year which will be about $68K. GT gives us the in state rate of 9K during the time abroad. Just no comparison to me but DW told him that money should not be a consideration, even though we may have to take out large private loans and I am five years from retirement.

Just want to throw this out there, are all of you comfortable with the safety concerns that surround GT? I know you have a son, but there is no way ever I would be comfortable with either of my kids at GT. (or GA State, for that matter)

 

[Christine]

I know how you are feeling. DS is making the decision today between Georgia tech and Villanova. GT is 40k and Nova is $58k. He loves the look of Nova but GT is the much better school for Engineering and Computer Science and he got into the Honors program at GT so to me it's a no brainer. Neither will give us any financial aid. But it's 750 miles versus 160. I tried to tell him he should consider the educational opportunities and intern opportunities first and the style of school second and if he picks Nova we will not allow him to study abroad since its another 6k on top of the tuition and I,m not sure we can afford the senior year which will be about $68K. GT gives us the in state rate of 9K during the time abroad. Just no comparison to me but DW told him that money should not be a consideration, even though we may have to take out large private loans and I am five years from retirement.

OUCH!!!

Just for an outsider's opinion--GT has an excellent reputation for engineering. I'd probably go with that one! Your wife is a nice lady! Money is definitely an issue for us. I have had to cut back my 401K contributions to *try* to get through this time with the two kids in school. I know that's a huge no-no but I am extremely adverse to debt.

My son was also accepted into the Honors program at WVU, so that really hurt to let it go. Nice dorm and everything but, while he *thinks* he wants engineering, when you really talk to him about it, he is so unsure. So for us, it comes down to risk. I would say there is a 50% change he will not stay with engineering and, if he didn't, it would be bad. If he does indeed stay with it after one year, I will definitely do more to get him where he needs to be.

Good luck with your decision. That's a tough one. But I also can't say enough about being a tad closer to home. My DD is 4 hours away, my son will be 2 hours away. It was sweet making that 2 hour trip!

 

[ugadog99]

Hello all, hope you don't mind if I join in.
DD decided on UCF a couple months ago. She is VERY excited. It's about a 30 minute distance, which is pretty dang close, but she'll be living on campus so it should be like a whole new world!
She just got her dorm linens in the other day! Just adding to the excitement lol

Congratulations to everybody and their kiddos on their college acceptances/decisions!

Congratulations to your daughter! We looked at UCF's theatre department very seriously for quite a while but ended up withdrawing her application. My older daughter is looking at going to UCF for graduate school eventually.

 

[corpcomp]

OUCH!!!

Just for an outsider's opinion--GT has an excellent reputation for engineering. I'd probably go with that one! Your wife is a nice lady! Money is definitely an issue for us. I have had to cut back my 401K contributions to *try* to get through this time with the two kids in school. I know that's a huge no-no but I am extremely adverse to debt.

My son was also accepted into the Honors program at WVU, so that really hurt to let it go. Nice dorm and everything but, while he *thinks* he wants engineering, when you really talk to him about it, he is so unsure. So for us, it comes down to risk. I would say there is a 50% change he will not stay with engineering and, if he didn't, it would be bad. If he does indeed stay with it after one year, I will definitely do more to get him where he needs to be.

Good luck with your decision. That's a tough one. But I also can't say enough about being a tad closer to home. My DD is 4 hours away, my son will be 2 hours away. It was sweet making that 2 hour trip!

Its official. Georgia Tech Honors Program (top 3%), School of Computing specializing in Computational Media (at least for the first semester) . But much more liberal policy of transferring at GT than at Villanova. And his first target internship Australia or Figi Islands. Four days working and three on the beach. One of the Southern Belles he met when we visited bragged about working on her tan while interning at an engineering facility. Of course the fact that there are pictures of four girls on the GT website that are all competing in the Miss Georgia Contest did not hurt, although we know the ratio of boys / girls stinks for the boys, which is better for studying.

His reasoning.

Better and more extensive technology programs. internships, more high tech companies targeting GT for graduates, two Aunts and a Cousin who is a DR at Emory in Atlanta 10 minutes away that will do laundry and cooking on the weekends for him, WARMER, cheaper and probably farther away from his overbearing Dad (me). Two block walk to MARTA to the airport to fly home as much as he wants. Of course we cannot drive down easily, but I think we can do it in 15 hours. Heck if people can drive from Ohio to Disney, We can drive from CT to Atlanta to watch him play in a concert and visit DW's sisters.

Safety is always in the back of my mind the minute he leaves the house. We would have the same problem in any major city including DC where my wife went to school. We asked that question a lot. We know there are issues in the immediate surrounding areas but in the middle of the campus you do not know you are even in a city. And GT has its own police force (not campus police). If we were worried about safety as the primary decision maker, he would live at home and study at Fairfield University five miles away. You cannot figure safety. NYC, VPI, Boston, Columbine, Newtown (where we live next to) there are just too many insane people out there willing to hurt you. And he was the CT Tae Kwon Do Champion so if attacked he knows how to defend himself.

 

[mom2rtk]

Its official. Georgia Tech Honors Program (top 3%), School of Computing specializing in Computational Media (at least for the first semester) . But much more liberal policy of transferring at GT than at Villanova. And his first target internship Australia or Figi Islands. Four days working and three on the beach. One of the Southern Belles he met when we visited bragged about working on her tan while interning at an engineering facility. Of course the fact that there are pictures of four girls on the GT website that are all competing in the Miss Georgia Contest did not hurt, although we know the ratio of boys / girls stinks for the boys, which is better for studying.

His reasoning.

Better and more extensive technology programs. internships, more high tech companies targeting GT for graduates, two Aunts and a Cousin who is a DR at Emory in Atlanta 10 minutes away that will do laundry and cooking on the weekends for him, WARMER, cheaper and probably farther away from his overbearing Dad (me). Two block walk to MARTA to the airport to fly home as much as he wants. Of course we cannot drive down easily, but I think we can do it in 15 hours. Heck if people can drive from Ohio to Disney, We can drive from CT to Atlanta to watch him play in a concert and visit DW's sisters.

Safety is always in the back of my mind the minute he leaves the house. We would have the same problem in any major city including DC where my wife went to school. We asked that question a lot. We know there are issues in the immediate surrounding areas but in the middle of the campus you do not know you are even in a city. And GT has its own police force (not campus police). If we were worried about safety as the primary decision maker, he would live at home and study at Fairfield University five miles away. You cannot figure safety. NYC, VPI, Boston, Columbine, Newtown (where we live next to) there are just too many insane people out there willing to hurt you. And he was the CT Tae Kwon Do Champion so if attacked he knows how to defend himself.

Congratulations on your son making a decision. I'm sure it feels nice to have a path on which to move forward!

I understand your thoughts on safety as well. Our older son attends a small private university in a part of the KC Metro area that is not considered safe. But it's another one of those "gulp hard" and move forward things. There are just SO many considerations, and while safety is there, it is one that can be managed. I was really sold by how seriously our son's school takes the issue, especially by the fact that Campus security is staffed with off-duty KCPD officers.

 

[maxaroni]

I'm living this now. DD could go to CC (Hudson Co. ) for free but she wants no part of it. Went to Monmouth University yesterday and she loved it. What's not to love. Except the pricetag. Right now it's at $40,500 per year and she qualified for about $12k in merit. But I had to point out that I thought the marine science program at Richard Stockton seems better than MU. Since it was a tour and not an open house she didn't get to listen to the departmental presentation but an admission's counsellor gave her his card and said he'd be happy to put her in touch with a professor from that department. We also have the option of going back for an open house in October. The deal with Richard Stockton, which is less expensive and seems to have a better program, is that she will get a used car. I can't see her living there without one. But I do have to admit the campus of MU is stunning. But it can't be about the campus, it has to be about the program.

My DS was accepted at Stocton and was in the running but opted against it. It is a little remote and not sure about public transportation. You are right it isn't all about the campus. I know kids that wouldn't count a school if they didn't like the tour guide or just a bad vibe and wouldn't get out of the car. The whole process is unnerving.

 

[maxaroni]

PA state schools are not cheap either. Almost $19K per year. I swear, we live in the wrong states!

I think a little part of me is worried that my DS might do the same thing as yours- end up not liking it as much as he thought he would- and then that money is down the drain. But like you did, I feel like we have to give him a chance. He is adamant that this is what he wants- that he loves Kutztown U and can see himself there. We've visited twice now, and he loved it even more the second time. I hope he stays with it if we go that route- but like you- if he doesn't, we will have to re-group and move on. We tried the car "bribe", btw- and my DS could care less. He doesn't even have his license yet. He goes on Tuesday for the test- round 2. Failed the last one because he forgot to signal parallel parking. Grr.

I feel for you. It is so hard and what a shock to find out DS was coming back home after being away. We had to work through all of the issues and move on. We are in NJ - Burlington county outside of Philly. We looked at West Chester, kutztown, York, millersville and one other that I can t recall. He was accepted at all of them. We loved West Chester but he said no. Kutztown was too remote for him. Decided he didn't really like millersville or York. For NJ he applied and accepted at ramapo, Stockton and Rowan Not accepted TCNJ. He may have done better at one of the other schools but who knows. We know many that transferred from there first choice for one reason or another.

Good luck to your DS with the drivers test.

5/1 doesn't top the insanity either. It's then getting the dorm stuff, roommates and it never ends.

 

[lurkernj]

I haven't posted in a while, but ds chose Brandeis in MA. We're pretty excited about it, though it was his most expensive option. Also a little sad as he will now be over 4 hrs away