Acceptances - Page 2

kwibbles · 03-26-2008, 06:58 PM

We just received the formal acceptance package today, and were very pleased to see that they were giving her a scholarship along with the usual loans. But then I got to the bottom line and almost dropped dead. Am I hallucinating? Almost $56,000/year for tuition, room and board. Please tell me I'm dreaming. I have another one in private college, so I'm used to big numbers, but could this possibly be right?

Tell me it will be worth it, please. She really wants to go, and I do want to support her dreams.

soozievt · 03-26-2008, 07:26 PM

A lot of schools, when calculatig the total expense of attending the college, add in beyond room, board and tuition....things like books/supplies, health insurance, travel, personal expense estimates. So, when comparing schools, make sure you are comparing apples to apples and if each school is including the same expenses. I personally prefer when discussing the cost of attendance, using ONLY tuition, room, and board, particularly for comparison purposes. Sure, there are other costs involved in sending a child to college.....believe me, I KNOW....I have TWO in college.....but those other costs vary and are not set by the school. I don't have the NYU figures in front of me, but I am pretty sure that JUST tutiion, room, and board comes to less than the amount you mention. I also have another child in an expensive private university but again, I only compare tuition, room, board.

kwibbles · 03-26-2008, 07:47 PM

I didn't see a breakdown of costs, so I don't know how they came up with that number. It's just the tally of the scholarship, loans, and work study. But I have to say it literally took my breath away.

Still, how often do you get a chance like this?

alwaysamom · 03-26-2008, 08:13 PM

kwibbles, as Susan said, it's a good idea when comparing the costs of different colleges to be sure that you're comparing exactly the same items. Having said that, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that $56,000 figure is correct. I don't know if the proposed increases for next year have been finalized yet but when you're looking at tuition, housing costs, mealplan and the ancillary costs for registration and service fees, it's very likely that that is a good estimate. What we found, in four years of paying Tisch's fees, is that the estimates for additional costs were always conservative. Fees like living expenses, transportation, spending money, books and materials, and travel expenses to and from home (which obviously will vary depending on where you live). All of these should be considered when doing any comparison. Tisch is a very expensive school, there's no doubt about it. Whether your family can swing it, with the f/a package offered, is a personal decision but I would really recommend against any student taking on huge loans, particularly in this business.

NotMamaRose · 03-26-2008, 08:20 PM

Well, folks, does this mean that those kids who got the Saturday in the Square invite ought soon also to be seeing the regulation, official, heavy duty acceptance letters, complete with studio assignments and financial aid info? Or will the acceptance letters not yet include studio assignments?

kwibbles · 03-26-2008, 09:17 PM

No studio assignments yet. I called to ask if it was in the package and I just didn't see it. I hope we'll find out by April 5. I don't know that it will affect her decision one way or the other, though.

Soozievt and alwaysamom, thanks for responding. I don't want to saddle my daughter with debt, although I do believe a little debt is not a bad thing -- helps keep them focused -- and we'll help out as much as we can.

I assume -- hope --the unspoken reply to my question, "is it worth it?" must be a resounding yes. If it brings them joy, if the program is as good as we hear, then I suppose it's worth it. Who's to say an English major won't have as hard a time finding a job as a BFA?

karenteic · 03-26-2008, 09:34 PM

Kind of glad that my D didn't get anything from NYU yet, I couldn't even begin to afford that - $56K+. I hope everyone is getting a good package. I have about $17K for schools and am probably in for a big shock. So worried about getting acceptances that have not faced the financial reality yet.

soozievt · 03-26-2008, 09:35 PM

NMR...the studio assignments are a separate letter which comes after the package.

kwibbles, the financial aid tally (I think) takes into account ALL the expenses beyond tuition, room, and board (such as ones I mentioned earlier). I do not believe that the cost of tuition, room and board (with no other things added) comes to the figure you mentioned. However, the FA package is going to come up with how to pay the total estimated cost of attending that DOES include those other things like books and spending money.

Is it worth it? I can tell you that on this forum and on other CC ones, I often read about the "worth" of the education as synonymous with potential career earnings and so on. I never have looked at education that way in terms of its worth. I don't care what fields my kids pursue or the potential earnings in relation to the worth of the college or its cost. I view college as worth it for the experience itself and the education itself, no matter what job a student may eventually obtain. And in that regard, I can say that as much in debt as I am to pay for this, I am so happy that my children are so happy with their colleges and their experiences there and say so constantly. It has been well, priceless. I feel this way no matter the major and no matter the college. They are learning so much, growing so much and having incredible experiences. That's what it is about and it is not only about job training which can be gotten lots of ways. Everyone values things in different ways and can afford different amounts and/or be willing or not to borrow funds to pay for their kids' educations. One way is not the right way but I only know that for me, it has been very very worth it. Their lives are very positively impacted from these four years. And now, I have a child embarking on another 3 1/2 years of graduate school....very expensive but very worth it. If your child attends NYU, or wherever she lands, I hope she loves it and gets as much out of it as my D has so far.

kwibbles · 03-26-2008, 10:04 PM

Soozievt,

I agree 100%, their happiness is very important. Being on stage brings my daughter much more joy than anything else she does, so we're just going to keep a positive attitude about things and encourage her to follow her heart. Personally, I don't believe anything we do in life is wasted, it's all part of the grand tour.

And if it doesn't work out, she can always go to law school!

soozievt · 03-26-2008, 10:43 PM

An education never goes out of style and you always have it, no matter what career you may end up doing down the line.

lindyloohoo · 03-27-2008, 12:02 PM

Can anyone suggest where to look for scholarships for international students?
We are finding the tuition very ominous for 4 years, my daughter did not receive any scholarship or aid with her acceptance. She will not be able to attend without outside financial assistance, and this is her "Dream School" so this is very anticlimatic...thanks for any help.

alwaysamom · 03-27-2008, 01:11 PM

lindyloohoo, unfortunately, it is very difficult for international students to attend NYU if their family is unable to manage it financially. NYU has always had the policy of very little scholarship money available for freshman internationals, and zero available for international transfers. They also make no guarantee to fully meet need. Were you told otherwise? I'm curious if this has changed, and maybe you were expecting to receive aid? Would be interested to know if this has changed recently. The fact that an international would be precluded from any government aid is another problem. NYU is expensive for anyone but for internationals it is even worse, no doubt about that. Even to obtain your student visa, you will have to provide financial documentation that you are capable of paying for a minimum of one full year's costs. I'm afraid I don't know of any scholarships which are not school specific. I hope your D has other options which are a better financial fit for your family.

megnut · 03-28-2008, 02:49 PM

Got the financial aid package too..but there is little AID! Tuition is 41 room and board 12,800, books 800, personal expenses 1,000. The "award" is all loans. I guess I expected this from what I had heard about NYU but was hoping for a little more from the school. My son got a really generous package from Cornell last year and the other colleges my daughter got into offered lots of merit aid.... but of course she wants to go to NYU! Is this the most expensive college? The "is it worth it worth it" question should be considered realistically. I think my daughter will thrive and be happy and successful at a number of places. Really not sure it's worth it (Plus.. we have four teenagers in college in the next 6 years )

StickerShock · 03-28-2008, 03:23 PM

Congrats Megnut. Of course, only you can answer that question. I agree that kids can thrive in many places, and if NYU is too pricey (especially w/ more kids following right behind) you should not allow any guilt to enter your mind. Do what is best for the whole family.

blank slate · 03-31-2008, 05:42 PM

We were sure we would get NYU's letter of acceptance/rejection by today. I have noticed that many received theirs late last week and on Saturday. My D is a transfer applicant to Tisch. She auditioned February 13th. Has anyone else not received letters? Should I call admissions tomorrow in case there is some kind of glitch? Thanks anyone who can give me some info.