Where do we go from here? - Page 2

seekingknowledge · 07-07-2008, 04:42 PM

EMM1, thank you for your opinion. The more information the better. I understand your advice on the cheap undergrad. With all three of the kids looking at 7-8 years of school...cost has to be a consideration. I wish it wasn't, but this is the real world.

The U of Missouri over Truman will be tough. Two different sizes, two different feels, etc. I am an alum from U of Missouri and had a great experience but see no need in the girls following in my footsteps. At a large university (24,000+), you have to fight to become something other than a student number...I was able to do that. They have an honors college that offers some interesting opportunities. The girls have been invited to check that avenue out. Truman on the other hand, is a selective public liberal arts university of 7,000. They are catering to the high performers throughout Missouri, Midwest and beyond. Exciting opportunities for research as a freshman, internships in Washington and extensive study abroad opportunties. Placements at the top grad/professional universities is impressive. Awards and ranking are impressive for a public from the Midwest. You are correct, the name recognition could hinder...

I will not pressure the girls to run in college. It changes your entire college experience. You must possess the passion and comittment. Only they can decide.

So, thank you to everyone that has posted so far. If you have any more thoughts, I'd love to hear them. This has been the best time investment I have made in a long time!!!

anxiousmom · 07-07-2008, 05:46 PM

Ditto - run the FA calculator. With two in college at private full-needs schools you may very well pay LESS than for public school! Public U's are not known for meeting full need, and loans make up a big part of many financial aid packages. COA for full-need privates will be about $106,000 a year - so even with an income above $150,000 you may very well qualify for financial aid. So, choose some good safeties that you can full pay even without aid, then shoot for the moon. With scores /grades like that they have a shot at some of the most selective schools.

Quote:

Our question is this: Do they focus on doing great things at our state schools and work towards admission in an outstanding grad/professional program or will they qualify for merit aid at top oos college or university?

Just read your original question. What you do now is focus on helping your kids find a variety of schools that will be a good fit. Grad school issue is for later. Probably yes for some merit aid at some oos schools, not sure about the "top" ones. I think you should expand you focus to some full-needs meeting private schools that would seem a good fit.

radimom · 07-09-2008, 10:29 AM

On Merit aid (I hope I am posting on the right thread--I can't remember where I read the Q): it can be rather hard to find out, from some college websites, if they offer merit aid or not. Odd, it seems to me from a parent perspective, that at least half the time the info I REALLY needed, was really obscure on the website. And even now with DS going off in August--how could it be that ALL the paperwork needed, is posted in PDF format, EXCEPT the health form information, which is totally AWOL??!! An unnamed Maine school....

cptofthehouse · 07-09-2008, 10:53 AM

I don't know what kind of merit aid Missouri will give to students of your Ds' calibre. Some OOS state schools that offer some good aid like Oklahoma, Arizona, UPitt, South Carolina, may be worth a look to see if your D's would do better there if there are guaranteed awards for their level of stats. Otherwise the lower sticker price of Mo is the only guarantee you have in hand. Then you try your best at smaller schools that may guarantee full need. Don't know how Truman is in meeting need, merit aid. Have to cast a wide net when looking for money and also throw in a few that are not necessarily sure shots.

I am not as concerned about the "huh?" factor of a regional school. There are some jobs that may be that way, but I think a good fit and a good experience at a school more than offsets a recognition factor. Kids who have a tough time at large colleges often do not do well or not finish whereas a smaller school may well be more nurturing, and offer a better chance of success.

seekingknowledge · 07-23-2008, 07:49 PM

Update: We have taken all of advice. Can't thank you enough. We have a college visit at University of Missouri-Columbia tomorrow. Meeting with admissions, financial aid, honors college, international studies department, foreign language department, pre-vet and general tour. They have a full day planned for the girls. Our strategy is to leave no stone unturned at Mizzou and Truman State University. The girls are currently working on a list of a few oos and privates to explore next. Though the plan is coming together, we know the "answer" will not be immediate.

If anyone else has suggestions for quality public/private schools to research that offer good merit aid...we would appreciate it greatly!

abvanslyke · 07-25-2008, 03:16 PM

I can relate to your daughters' situation - graduation class of '08 in central Illinois. Similar stats too. I applied Mizzou, Truman, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and WashU in StL. I also visted a few other schools, such as U of Kentucky.
I'm headed to Mizzou this fall, but have not forgotten Truman. Based on my Summer Welcome (orientation) and other campus visits, I feel like Mizzou is "good" big school - it didn't feel big once I was on the inside.
If your daughters have any questions about Mizzou for current students, feel free to contact me late August : ) *Check out the FIG options* Not only will it help me academically/socially, helped me get into the dorm I wanted! : D

singermom1 · 07-26-2008, 02:06 PM

If your either of your daughters are interested in Yale they should apply. If they win the "lottery" you would get MAJOR financial aid with your income. On top of that, the Yale student's EFC would be cut in half because you would have another child in college. Worth a try.

bessie · 07-26-2008, 02:13 PM

It's far away, but USC (University of Southern California) has great merit aid and your twins sound like they are at the top of the stat pool for admitted kids there. They like sports at USC!

seekingknowledge · 07-27-2008, 10:37 AM

abvanslyke: We would love to hear more detail in refernce to your school selection process. If you have some time, would you mind?

As for the rest of you, thank you. Our list is growing. The girls are researching your suggestions. As I said before, they are attempting to choose two oos and two privates to visit. I thought that would be manageable.

University of Missouri and Truman State University will remain on our list. The girls liked both schools for different reasons. During our tour of University of Missouri on Thursday, the Honors College really perked their interest. Merit aid at both universities remains a mystery. I suppose we won't know until admissions letters are sent.

Overall, it seems that there has been a shift from merit to need based aid. I feel that I have lied to the kids. I always told the girls (and their younger brother) that if they worked hard they would be rewarded with academic scholarships. We have saved every month. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm beginning to feel we went about it the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, the girls will be fine. I guess we a just a bit frustrated by the lack of financial support for academically talented, hard working students. Sorry for the vent...

kelsmom · 07-27-2008, 12:49 PM

There are many of us who have gritted our teeth & bit our tongues when students who so not have academic stats even close to those of our kids have received full ride athletic scholarships. It is one of those "life is not fair" moments that Mom told us about. It's okay to vent here!

kelsmom · 07-27-2008, 12:52 PM

^^ Should be "do" not. System won't let me edit today.

jaf1991 · 07-27-2008, 10:38 PM

Based on what I've found, it seems as though midwest, east coast and southern schools offer far better merit aid to OOS than west coast schools. Someone already mentioned Auburn, but University of Alabama has awesome OOS merit scholarships. Check out this Presidential Scholarship:

Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama

seekingknowledge · 07-29-2008, 07:31 AM

Thanks for the University of Alabama tip. Point of clarification...when a scholarship pays for the cost of oos tuition, is that the full cost (meaning free tuition) or does it just bring it down to the in-state cost. Some of the sites are a bit confusing to me. Thanks!

Chedva · 07-29-2008, 08:21 AM

Generally, it means that it just brings it down to in-state costs. If it's free tuition, they will usually say so in no uncertain terms!