<p>Haven’t gotten the financial aid letter yet, but I’m dreading it from everything I’ve heard. Though it might turn out well for me because of our family’s (low, low, low) income… one can only hope for the best.</p>
<p>Basically, I see it as a balance. My history teacher and sometimes-mentor tells me that she hates even the idea of being in debt, but a quality education is her one exception. On the other hand, the reality exists that a certain amount of debt is near-impossible to pay off. So you have to weigh financial strain on the one hand against quality of education (and life) on the other.</p>
<p>For me, it’s pretty simple: I’m going to the school that 1) accepts me, and 2) offers me a full (or nearly full) scholarship/aid. (The only exception is if one or more of the scholarships I’m applying to pulls through for me, which could completely change things.) That’s why I have applied to the New College of Florida and Arizona State University (Barrett Honors College) in the same breath as Harvard, Georgetown, and UChicago. I feel that the greater part of your educational experience depends on what YOU choose to do with what’s available. True, I’d LOVE for a higher quality education and more options to be available to me, because I know I’d use it - and also, with my intended major/career path(s), connections are very important - but I know that it’s not worth going $100k or even $40k into debt, especially combined with the family debts that I know I will have to pay off eventually.</p>
<p>If I have to go to ASU (like my older brother) or NC Florida, then so be it: I will be disappointed, but I will make the absolute best of it, and I would still foresee a good future for myself. Remember that although opportunities certainly differ, in the end the man (or woman) makes the college, and not vice versa.</p>
<p>The moral: Apply to outside scholarships and don’t give up hope, but just be prepared to make a kickarse four years out of it: if you don’t get to go to the school of your dreams, live like you’re making your actually-attended institution <em>into</em> that school.</p>