If you can afford up to $50,000, then I would cap it at $50,000. Stretching to $75,000 with “significant sacrifices” and loans is not a good idea, imo. Things happen- you need a new car, a new roof etc. Stretching an extra $5000 might be ok….depending. Stretching an additional $25,000 a year? Might be an “ouch,” depending on your expenses and other kids etc. Try putting that money away now and see what happens.
If you “stretch” an extra $100,000 for undergrad, what will happen for medical school/grad school? I would save the money for med school.
My advice is as follows:
- Use the NPC for every school. Eliminate the schools that are not affordable.
- Keep the schools that offer merit. Be prepared to turn them down if merit does not happen (and the cost is over 50).
- I see a lot of reaches. Keep them if the NPC shows that they are affordable, but do not add any more reaches. You have plenty.
- Add another instate college (not sure of your state). If it’s Pa you have 2- that’s good.
- SUNY Geneseo OOS is in the mid 30’s- I would add it.
- Apply to SUNY Binghamton. The OOS cost is under 50 and you may get a little merit. This is a strong school and would not be a safety if you were instate. They are trying to increase OOS students.
- Apply to UDel- you may get some merit…maybe (will it be enough?).
- Do some research on Alabama. The program noted above looks good.
College is expensive, unfortunately. Grad school is expensive. Medical school is very expensive. If med school or any kind of grad school is in the plans…she may have to stay instate so that she is not saddled with huge loans. That is not a problem…at all.
It looks like you live in either Pa, Va, NC, NJ, or Michigan. That means you live in a state with excellent options. Students who attend these schools get accepted to medical school and competitive graduate programs all the time.