@cluelessandtired - I hear you! It’s a good reminder. We all have our strong opinions about personal household finances and it is different family to family. It is hard not to be judgmental on some fronts, my D has a good friend whose parents won’t pay for the better school she got into, and yet they let the girl spend VERY extravagantly on expensive shoes and clothing. They have boats and jet skis. Sorry, that was judgmental. College, jet ski, college, jet ski? But it’s their life. I am certain they perceive the cost difference in schools is not worth it. And that is a personal decision. Trying to be quiet now and stop typing.
I hear you, too, @cluelessandtired! I have a neighbor who criticized me for taking out loans and bragged that his kid had no loans because he made her go to SUNY. Yeah, I thought - I heard your kid crying for an hour from across the street when you lowered the boom on her dream school. Judgmental, I know, but I can’t help it. I’ll stop typing, too.
I’ll jump in on this topic, @cluelessandtired @FourStars and @EastchesterMom
There are two places I get judgmental -
- When debt is taken on and no one has really counseled the student about what that means. People take risks all the time - small business start-ups, real estate investments, etc. If someone wants to let their kid take that risk because they think it's worth it, I have nothing to say about that. But if they do it without counseling them on the reality of student loan debt relative to the field they have chosen - I get judgey.
- I also get judgey about letting a kid think you are willling to pay for something you aren't. We were very clear with our kids what our max budget is. They knew if they got into a dream school and didn't get enough scholarship money to meet that budget, then it was off the table. (That happened to S, but then he ended up way happier with his final choice anyway). Life happens and circumstances change and kids have to roll with those punches. But letting them think you will pay for something you have no intention of paying for is just mean.
This is where I say I’ll stop typing. 
I had decided to leave CC for a variety of reasons, but seeing the above comments about debt I just wanted to share what we found out now that my daughter is graduating in 11 days. We got our final bill for student loans. She took out the max allowed and will owe $24,000. They want a payment of $288 for 10 years. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what you would pay monthly. Seems to be about 10% of balance as a payment. Hope this is helpful.
@BassTheatreMom - great post. Just the fact that you have a “max budget” means you’re on top of things. And you obviously are comfortable communicating with your kids about finances which is really really difficult for some parents but I think it’s essential for everyone’s long-term welfare.
@MTMOM17 and @JavaJo My mother has only asked if we can afford it; without actual numbers. I cannot begrudge her for all the things she spoiled my d with over the last 18 years, but it would have been better spent in a savings account for her (just sayin’). But seriously, I appreciate their concern, and I know they will help us out with dorm/furniture expenses and incidentals (which will absolutely help).
@cluelessandtired I agree completely with your post above. My query was certainly not meant to ask people how they are choosing to pay for college; that is your individual choice. We are all entitled to our opinions (and do not have to agree with others that differ). And since I don’t know any of you in real life, I don’t expect for any of you to hit me up for the cash :)) . This is a hot-button issue for sure (on some FB pages it causes virtual bloodshed), but I would never begrudge anyone’s choice on how they are financing their education (regardless of major). I used to question how people would go on multiple vacations a year, have fancy clothes, cars and bags, then complain in real life about their debt. Then I realized it’s not my business and not my problem. My mother is judgmental like that, so I needed to break myself from that cycle (her mother was too).
@EastchesterMom we have a ‘daddy’ situation too, that I am sure people are dying to know about (my friends and family that is). =; I’ll just leave them guessing.
I used to say that the cost of education is never wasted. But things have changed so much over the years, that is does bear more consideration (but no one can ever take away your degree, as long as you paid for it).
I’m about to post online (now that d finally did). I can’t wait to read the comments!
I will have 3 in college - one of my sons is majoring in Astrophysics! I’m much more concerned about him getting a job than my MT Daughter! Of course he will need to go to grad school and at the rate he’s going I am betting she is working in her field before he is! LOL My second son is majoring in journalism and considering law school and politics - he is already very actice in political action groups - so they each have their own journey and none of them is a guarantee - all they can do is follow their passion and work hard. And if I’m going to be in debt - it might as well be to help make their dreams come true…
@DramaQueen219 I say it’s nobody’s damn business! Put perceived tuition costs on top of what many perceive an acting or performance based degree is worth, and well…I’ve learned over the past few years to just smile and not comment!
Has anyone on the Syracuse Waitlist here heard of any movement? My Syracuse Waitlist thread has seen a lot of activity in the past two days, but no one has posted from the School of Drama. Thought I would check with both the Acting and MT threads!
@Fergie978 There is a Syracuse WL thread??? I need to be on there.
@Fergie978 Found it!
hey guys as a transfer applicant i’m now able to see my admission acceptance form on myslice, but I still didn’t get an email decision yet - when should I expect the email to come?
@Karter for what school? and this is the musical theater major thread did you mean to post here?
for VPA sorry haha, but still, any idea when the email should come?
@Karter Sorry I don’t know the answer to that - but I bet it will be fairly quickly. They usually send it out the same time. What major in VPA?
@Fergie978 My Slice is Syracuse’s portal and VPA is the Visual and Performing Arts school at SU.
@Karter I would check with the admissions dept to be sure.
@"#booknerdmom" Yes, I know - we check ours every day. What I was saying was that Syracuse is usually very good at making sure that an email is sent out before they update the MySlice portal. @karter - maybe it went into junk mail? Or maybe they wrote the email and forgot to hit “Send”! :)) Yes, I would call admissions!
VENT VENT VENT.
Ugh.
Is there anyone that can talk to me in pms about their kiddo’s experience at Malloy/Cap 21? Its an urgent request.
I feel like this is one long NFL draft day spread out over 2 weeks.
Its so hard when its your kid’s future. Thanks in advance for anyone that can reach out to me!
@fairlyoddmom - @EastchesterMom had a D a Malloy - hoping this gets you in touch
Thank you! I messaged her!