lindz126

Emory---fin aid was hugely lower than every other school--and their faos curt and insensitive to boot

wesleyan and tufts offered more than 3x in fin aid (25K each) and was respectful in handling special circumstances--kudos to them.

merit scholarships were huge and eternally grateful for that

Canjet

I understand that there must be at least a fair number of soon-to-be college freshmen whose recent college decisions were largely financially-based. I am one of these students, so I think it's important to have a thread dedicated to venting out frustrations and sharing how you feel after such a disappointing outcome. (If you want to, that is.)

I know I'm feeling kind of cheated, that after all my hard work and effort I've put into academics throughout my life, it really didn't matter. I could have gotten into the school that I ended up "picking" (it really wasn't my decision to make) without working as much as I did or imposing such a high amount of stress on myself. Ultimately, I feel like I'm settling, and I find this very discouraging.

Anyway, if anyone else feels similarly, feel free to let it out here. I know I feel at least a little better establishing my emotions in words for both me and others to see.

GroovyGeek

If you put in all this work for the sole purpose of "getting in", then yes, you were cheated... of sound advice. You work hard in school so you can go on and do good things later in life. You do it for yourself, not for someone else.

All the hard work and extra preparation will help you distinguish yourself at the school that you enrolled in. This will have both tangible and intangible benefits.

kelsmom

Canjet, you are of course welcome to vent. It helps. When you are done, though, please heed this advice: Education and a great work ethic are keys to a happy life. Becoming educated and learning to work hard are rewards unto themselves, not a means to an end. Trust me, I know. I was a stay at home mom for 15 years. A male friend from college once asked me if I felt I had wasted my time ... after all, I worked REALLY hard in college. I didn't even hesitate before telling him that my education was important in and of itself. I wouldn't be who I am today without it, and I value all I gained from it. Your work was NOT wasted.

Now go make the most of your college experience!

Canjet

After rereading my first message, I definitely see where both of you are coming from-- I am incorrect in saying that my hard work was for "nothing." Of course I would've worked just as hard had I known where exactly I would have ended up going to college. But at the same time, it's very discouraging to think about all the effort I've put into academics and how it could not equate to me pursuing the college experience of my liking. I don't feel like I'm getting the best education/the best experience I can be getting, and it's frustrating to think that I could have.

kelsmom

Canjet, let me give you a bit of hope for the future. You may not have been able to afford the college you *really* wanted for undergrad, due to financial considerations. As you have discovered, working hard & doing well in high school do not always lead to a scholarship you want (after all, your dream school may not even offer them!). Good news, though! Grad school offers a whole new opportunity to attend a dream school ... and it can even happen for free!!! There are many opportunities for fellowships & stipends in grad school. If you work really hard in college, making sure to take advantage of what is offered (and seeking out opportunities through relationships with professors), you may very well find that a great grad school opportunity is within your reach. Focus on what CAN be, not what isn't ... and you will find that things will work out well for you.

merkur

Your college experience and education are what YOU make them. There will be some at your dream school who will not have an education or experience as good as yours, because they won't work hard to make the most of it. You can't change the past; look ahead and make the best of all your opportunities.

Columbia_Student

It's ok to vent but did you not enjoy learning as well?

happymomof1

When I studied educational psychology we discussed the differences between students who are motivated by "learning goals" and those who are motivated by "performance goals". Unfortunately, in the race to get into college, a lot of students, such as yourself, who are naturally motivated by the learning process iself, become caught up in the pursuit of a specific "performance goal" - in this case admission to a prize college.

As my dear grandmother-in-law used to say, enjoy your tears. Give yourself permission to vent about how ridiculous the whole process is, and how unhappy you are with the results - because it is a ridiculous process, and you are disappointed! Then, when you are all done with that, please remember what the ed. psychologists say about students who are motivated by learning goals: they are more resilient in the face of academic challenges, and ultimately, do better in school and in life. Learning is truly its own reward.

JoanB

I think I understand where you're coming from. You clearly went the extra not just mile - 50 miles! - made sacrifices, gave up things feeling like you were making an investment with a high chance of getting just the return you wanted. I'm thinking of that scene in "Legally Blonde" where Reese Witherspoon hears the cute boys outside getting the keg party going and she's got to stay in and study.

So your disappointment is justified and vent away. Here's the part you can't possibly know yet because you're so young. Often, when we dont get exactly what we wanted, we get something else equally or more wonderful. Like every disappointment has its role to play. You have no idea what's waiting for you at the school you eventually attend. You may go there and meet the love of your life, or the friend of a lifetime. You may have a professor who changes your life.

I am willing to bet right now that sometime in the next four years, you'll find yourself thinking, Wow, thank G-d I didn't get into X and came here instead.

wanderer123

Wouldn't it be great if you know beforehand how much you can get from a college, then you wouldn't waste your time applying to the college in the first place. Here is a site that contains very skimpy content of what aid some colleges are giving - info are update by students. Maybe it will be useful for others in the future. Financial Aid: Welcome to the College Financial Aid Information Website

My family is poor, so my sister got great finanical aid. It seems to be that being poor and being rich is great for college, but the bulk of the middle class gets screwed over.

tealover

Case Western was horrible. They lowered my financial aid AFTER I accpeted admission offer because "reviewed my tax forms again"

DangerMouse

In our experience, from this list, Hopkins does meet full financial need, while Cornell does not. Cornell apparently routinely includes on the order of $6K in private loans as part of their finaid package; not aware of any other colleges doing this.

DangerMouse

Cornell was far and away the worst package we received. Included recommendation that my daughter should take out $6K in private loans as part of the so-called "financial aid" package. Other packages were not from colleges with multi-billion endowments ... Cornell's apparently sets self-help level about double ($12K) most other schools. Not a great choice for middle class kids.

ferryboat10

Dayton covered 99% of need according to CDS.
College Search - University of Dayton - UD - Cost & Financial Aid
More like 50% in my case.

COA: ~37000
EFC: 3800
Fed FA: 2200
Coll FA/Sch: 5000
Stafford: 10500
Unmet: 15500