College - Paying for it - ??

[SKIQUATTRO]

the best lessons of college are the ones you dont go to class for...learing to live on your own, budget money, break out of your comfort zone and interact with people from different races, cultures, values and upbringings and in doing so your find your own self...going away to school in my opinion is a great lesson in this crazy thing we call LIFE.....

 

[ctenidae]

Don't rule out Canadian colleges. From what I understand, they can be quite a bargain compared to US schools. My boss' daughter goes to McGill in Montreal and my bf's cousin went to Dalhousie in Nova Scotia. Both are great schools.

That's a great point- if you and your daughter are up for it, consider going international. There was an article in Businessweek several months ago about it, and kids care going to Oxford for less than some state schools. There's nothing like international experience to open you up to new career ideas.

 

[YardSaleDad]

How should I get started?

First, answer the question: Why does she want to go to college?

 

[ChileMass]

First, answer the question: Why does she want to go to college?

As in many families, it's expected. She's an excellent student (almost straight As) and it's important to extend education beyond high school, in my opinion. There's a whole other level to learn, and I agree that things learned outside the college classroom are just as important, or can be more important. The most important thing I learned was persistence. It's so important to learn how to stay with a long-term project through all sorts of ups and downs through to a completion. The ideas and facts and figures I learned along the way were nice, but learning to accomplish a goal with a 4-year horizon made the biggest impact on me.

She has no specific goals right now (college is 3 years away), which is why I am wondering how to best approach this. I went to school with almost no idea at all why I was there or what I was supposed to accomplish. By the time she gets to school I will help her to have a better understanding and direction, but she still will likely never be motivated by money or for some big corporate position. That's why I'm wondering how to get the best education at a reasonable price.

Any feedback on your particular school? What did you like or not like about your college? What would you have done differently?

 

[Goblin84]

well, i have seen some interesting responses, some of which I agree with and others I dont, I work in college admissions. Several people have brought up very good points.

First off there is NOTHING wrong with public schools. There are some quality state schools out there, they do not all have 30,000+ students, just look at the SUNY system in NY. I know of many people who have gone through the SUNY system and have ended up at very good grad schools or have very successful jobs.

Private schools can be cheaper then state schools in certain situations. Here is how it works, you fill out your FAFSA form and the goverment comes up with the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution). This number is then given to each school you wish to send it too and they try to meet as much of your need as they can. Public schools are often cheaper, however they simply do not have as much money as private schools so they will award smaller aid packages. Private school with more money, cost a boat load more, however can give out larger aid packages. (so you can thank those rich kids for the scholarships when you goto a private school)

Don't let the "sticker" price scare you away. Look at schools that your daughter would fit well into. There are many great schools out there (public/private) that would fit an "artsy" person. A lot of times if you visit a school or apply online they will waive the application fee. Also if you simply ask them to waive the fee because of economic hardship they will often times waive it.

International schools are a great way to go. Schools like Mcgill, University of Toronto, and UBC are huge schools with great programs. UBC has one of the best sports medicine programs around! Not only that but because you are on this site, I assume you ski. What better way to get out to BC for skiing then visit your daughter!

Transfering is another good option. Someone going to a Community College for a few years and getting ride of the distribution requirements for a cheaper cost. However check with the school your daughter intends to transfer into so she is taking the correct courses.

Overall the college process is overwhelming, confusing, frustrating, and in the end you want to kill someone...or many poeple, its a pain in the butt. Goto every seminar you can find, learn the fin aid terms and how the process works. PLEASE do NOT be a overcontrolling parent though. There is nothing we hate more in admissions then the parents that calls us up daily to see when we will accept their son/daughter. States have various educational agencys which provide great information. Here in NH we have NHHEAF (nhheaf.org) that provides free help and is an overall amazing resource to students and families.



oh yeah, St. Lawrence is in the $45k range now. I should know, im still paying off my $30k+ in loans from that place...

 

[ctenidae]

There is nothing we hate more in admissions then the parents that calls us up daily to see when we will accept their son/daughter.

Ahh, Helicopter Parents, the bane of University personell the world over. A friend of mine at NU got a call from a parent asking how to get to a building on campus. Because her kid was lost and late for class. The parent, at home, calling the school for help for her kid. at school.

They say admissions standards are getting tougher. Not quite tough enough, I think. The parents should probably get interviewed as much as the kids.

 

[Goblin84]

yeah, my favorite is when the parents call saying things like "my major." We have had a few transfer students in their mid to late 20's still having parents call us to set up interviews. Heck we even had someone bring a parent to their job interview for our office!!

 

[ChileMass]

First off there is NOTHING wrong with public schools. There are some quality state schools out there, they do not all have 30,000+ students, just look at the SUNY system in NY. I know of many people who have gone through the SUNY system and have ended up at very good grad schools or have very successful jobs....

FYI - I graduated from SUNY Albany in 1987 and now am the director of North American sales for a $1.3B technical services company, so your point above is completely correct. Not showing off, just saying you don't have to go to an Ivy league school to get a quality education.

 

[klrskiah]

I'm a senior in High School this year, and i think that next year i'll be going to either UMO or U Maine Farmington. i got good grades, was pretty involved in activities, and had a high class rank so I was hoping for a decent financial aid package from St. Mikes or UVM or anywhere that would give me some money!, but NOPE no grants, scholarships, nothing. when they say they meet the balance of your EFC that is BS they meet your need through loans with lousy intrest rates. And the stafford loans max out at about $6k a year.

four years at UVM would end up costing me $90,000 MORE than staying in-state at UMF or UMO:smash:

also the more you have saved, the more your EFC will be.

i know this sounds terrible, but coming from a very diverse high school with a high immigrant population (i think its something like 55% black 45%white) i have seen the way colleges discriminate. if you want cheap tuition, lose your job, and change your skin color, then the scholarships will pile up at your feet...

 

[Dr Skimeister]

And the stafford loans max out at about $6k a year.

Find out about PLUS loans

also the more you have saved, the more your EFC will be

Find out about saving in a way that is not considered by FAFSA in financial aid determinations

i know this sounds terrible, but coming from a very diverse high school with a high immigrant population (i think its something like 55% black 45%white) i have seen the way colleges discriminate. if you want cheap tuition, lose your job, and change your skin color, then the scholarships will pile up at your feet...

Find out about bigotry and the ignorance of such statements

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I'm a senior in High School this year, and i think that next year i'll be going to either UMO or U Maine Farmington. i got good grades, was pretty involved in activities, and had a high class rank so I was hoping for a decent financial aid package from St. Mikes or UVM or anywhere that would give me some money!, but NOPE no grants, scholarships, nothing. when they say they meet the balance of your EFC that is BS they meet your need through loans with lousy intrest rates. And the stafford loans max out at about $6k a year.

four years at UVM would end up costing me $115,000 MORE than staying in-state at UMF or UMO:smash:

also the more you have saved, the more your EFC will be.

i know this sounds terrible, but coming from a very diverse high school with a high immigrant population (i think its something like 55% black 45%white) i have seen the way colleges discriminate. if you want cheap tuition, lose your job, and change your skin color, then the scholarships will pile up at your feet...

UMF is an awesome school! I wish I knew about it when I was looking 40 years ago. Easy drive to the Loaf for extra research. :wink:

 

[ChileMass]

UMF is an awesome school! I wish I knew about it when I was looking 40 years ago. Easy drive to the Loaf for extra research. :wink:

Sorry - gotta disagree. I grew up just outside Farmington and it's a hick shithole. Other than ski season, you might as well be on Neptune, and you'd probably get as good an education there. UVM, Johnson State or Plymouth State would be a whole lot better. If you insist in going to a Maine school, get into Bates or go to Southern Maine in Gorham.

 

[klrskiah]

Find out about bigotry and the ignorance of such statements

Man back off... call me ignorant, foolish, whatever, but i am NOT a bigot. All i was saying is that being of a different nationality or ethnicity opens up alot of doors to people who otherwise would be less likely to gain acceptance to a school, or recieve a hefty financial aid package.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Sorry - gotta disagree. I grew up just outside Farmington and it's a hick shithole. Other than ski season, you might as well be on Neptune, and you'd probably get as good an education there.

Sounds like something Don Imus would say. Nice. Know several who go there and they like it just fine. Plus there is a Gifffords Ice Cream place there......yum!

 

[ChileMass]

Sounds like something Don Imus would say. Nice. Know several who go there and they like it just fine. Plus there is a Gifffords Ice Cream place there......yum!

One man's truth. I have 15 years experience there. I wouldn't let my kid go to school there. If education is the goal, UMF is not the place. If you want to be a ski bum and grow up to be a bartender, it might work.

 

[klrskiah]

Sorry - gotta disagree. I grew up just outside Farmington and it's a hick shithole. Other than ski season, you might as well be on Neptune, and you'd probably get as good an education there.

did you go there??

i know it's in the middle of nowhere (near saddleback and sugarloaf!) but after talking to some of the perfessors there and getting to know some of the students i strongly disagree with you.

curious as to why you hated it so much?.... seriously though, i need to make a descision on schools within the next two weeks so i appreciate any/all input on schools good or bad. It probably wouldn't have been my first choice but the price is right and they do offer a lot of interesting opportunities. after visiting, i found that i liked it more than i thought i would have... great location for skiing "research" as SRO said too :wink:, and a pretty neat ski industries certificate program and internships with sugarloaf.

 

[ChileMass]

did you go there??

i know it's in the middle of nowhere (near saddleback and sugarloaf!) but after talking to some of the perfessors there and getting to know some of the students i strongly disagree with you.

curious as to why you hated it so much?.... seriously though, i need to make a descision on schools within the next two weeks so i appreciate any/all input on schools good or bad. It probably wouldn't have been my first choice but the price is right and they do offer a lot of interesting opportunities. after visiting, i found that i liked it more than i thought i would have... great location for skiing "research" as SRO said too :wink:, and a pretty neat ski industries certificate program and internships with sugarloaf.

Don't necessarily hate the school, although it's academically challenged compared to a lot of other NE colleges. Farmington is just way out in the middle of nowhere, and there are better schools with equal access to great skiing. But - again - if education is the goal of going to college, you can do a lot better elsewhere. It was a great place to grow up, but as an adult it's not an attractive area. Franklin County is very economically depressed and it's a long 7 months between ski seasons.

 

[Goblin84]

two things to really consider...location and size. These two things are HUGE!! UMF is in the middle of no where, some kids like it. I went to a school that was in the middle of no where (2+ hour drive to a city) and loved it. These smaller more rural campuses tend to have more of a campus feel and a lot more going on on campus. and also it tends to be the trend that town people dont really like the college/students unless they work for the school, just my experience.

UMF and UMO are both very good schools with great profs. I think making a statement saying that there is nothing for someone at UMF unless they want to be a ski bum or bartender is way off the mark.

 

[ChileMass]

I think making a statement saying that there is nothing for someone at UMF unless they want to be a ski bum or bartender is way off the mark.

OK - I'm being somewhat harsh on UMF. Familiarity breeds contempt, I guess. My point is that there probably ought to be more serious thought going into the decision on which college to go to rather than its proximity to your favorite ski hill. It's a big decision which will have a great impact on your career, earning capability, etc., and UMF is simply not very highly regarded for academics.

Back to my original questions - who went to what colleges and what did you like or not like? I'm especially interested in small/medium-sized schools in the Northeast.

 

[NYDrew]

There are many public schools now that compete directly with the big boys of the private world.

Just some examples:

New Yorks Binghamton, Stony Brook and Buffalo. All three a now major research centers, with big time terminal programs (Buffalo Med, Binghamton Law) and Binghamton's Nurseing, Engineering and Business programs are extremely high.

California's Berkeley, pretty much the center of the physics universe.

New Jerseys Rutgers

Vermont's UVM

Ohio's OSU (ultra top level business programs)

the list goes on, you just need to know where to be

I personally went to Binghamton. Even with a crap GPA, I am looked up to by many of the prestegious private alum.