<p>If you feel then that your family cannot pay the EFC, you may want to advise all the schools of that . I would not get too hung up with degree yet as you could change your mind. What is with “wanting me plus actual need=more financial need.” ? Stay humble,my friend.</p>
<p>hahaha I’m sorry, that came across as totally immodest. I just meant that hopefully their award of a Deans Scholarship would make it more likely that the financial aid comes through, my apologies. Yep! We are, we’ve started the appeal process at the other schools as well, but Cornell’s been the one that seems the most reciprocative of it. </p>
<p>It’s just kinda nervewracking to be looking at this and realizing that I’ll more than likely be at Delaware for the next four years of my life, and turning down an Ivy that happens to be my dream school isn’t making it any less so!</p>
<p>Deleware sounds wonderful if your family feels they cannot afford your instate schools or Cornell. Most kids and families have to take finances into considertion when making decisions about college. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>“Actually, engineering PhD programs should be funded, although the grad student will be working as a research assistant or teaching assistant in most cases.”</p>
<p>True, but the overwhelming majority of engineering grad students aren’t in Ph.D. programs. </p>
<p>“turning down an Ivy that happens to be my dream school isn’t making it any less so!”</p>
<p>Again, they didn’t do you any favors - Cornell essentially turned you down.</p>
<p>Thank you (: I’ll post an update here in case any of you are interested once I decide. And I know, I honestly do realize how blessed I am to have this be the dilemma I’m in.</p>
<p>Cornell’s bioengineering program & biology programs are awesome.</p>
<p>From where I sit $20,000 for a Cornell degree is a good deal indeed. Do you think your employment prospects will be different coming out of Cornell versus coming out of University of Delaware? To me, these are the only 2 choices you should be considering, as it would make no sense to go to Boston University for $15,000 when you could go to Cornell for $20,000.</p>
<p>OP- what does “grad work” mean? If it’s a Masters, take five minutes and figure out if any of these options will allow you to stay an extra year and complete an engineering Masters. One of my kids was at a school where a B+ or better GPA allowed you to spend your senior year (and then one extra year) and complete an MS in Engineering. The fourth year cost the same as if you were a typical undergrad- most kids got fellowships to pay for that fifth year.</p>
<p>If grad work means a PhD, that would be fully funded (or the admissions committee’s deemed you too weak to be in their programs… suggesting you should find your bliss elsewhere.) If grad work means getting a job out of undergrad and then getting your employer to pay for you to a Master’s on their dime-- that’s yet another option.</p>
<p>And if you are the typical HS senior, you will end up NOT majoring in what you think you are going to study, and will NOT end up in graduate school five years hence.</p>
<p>So to my mind you can make a quick spreadsheet outlining a bunch of options and outcomes— undercut by the high probability that you will fall in love with something else once you get to college- and then decide your best financial option.</p>
<p>would be hard to turn down a free ride at Delaware if you are getting no parental support whatsover. Very hard.</p>