<p>@sbjdorlo,
Do any of California’s bordering states consider CA students at in-state rates? </p>
<p>I’m not at all familiar with California’s schools. Do you have to pick a San Diego area school as your in-state school? State schools in your region are “your” in-state schools, but those in other regions are not? </p>
<p>I’m sure you know there are schools across the country that consider NMF’s at in-state rates.</p>
<p>Texas A&M is one example of a school that gives in-state status to OOS students under some circumstances. It awards in-state rates to any recipient of at least a $1k merit scholarship, as long as Texas students have competed for that same scholarship (plus a few other relatively minor criteria). In-state total published costs are less than $19k. NMFs who name A&M as their first choice currently get $5k a year, plus another $2k minimum, guaranteed. That brings the price down to no more than $12k/year. And there are a whole lot more scholarships available that can further reduce your price. We know of several OOS students, and a few in-state students, who attend for free. Yes, it’s kind of hard to call that a “financial safety,” since you can’t be sure your son will earn a $1000 merit award. But, it could be kind of a “secondary safety” in that it’s not at all unlikely (with his stats) that he’ll be awarded at least $1000 and meet the in-state criteria.</p>
<p>But A&M is just one example of many. There are lots of schools that will consider OOS students at in-state rates for various reasons. And some of them will be more of a “sure thing” in terms of OOS admission at IS rates.</p>
<p>You said your son already has one safety, UTD. As you know, all he really NEEDS is one … if it really is “safe” in terms of admission and finances. If he likes it well enough and can really picture himself there, he’s all set! If all else fails financially (it won’t in terms of admissions, considering his scores, as long as his list is well-balanced), then he can go there, period. But it does help to have a few safeties in the wings. It might help to have a second-level “safety” of sorts, like Texas A&M or something similar, that he could attend at in-state rates (minus any scholarships) if he meets the criteria. </p>
<p>Baylor was a good safety school that my son lost interest in over time. (He used to really love it. It was a case of tastes changing over time.) Point is: it’s one of those schools that has a chart you can follow – if your stats are “a, b, and c,” then you’re guaranteed this much scholarship money. My son was guaranteed a heck of a lot (nearly full tuition, I think), plus he got more later – and your son’s stats are similar (though you didn’t mention NMF, and NMF might have been part of the equation). There are lots of schools that have similar charts – if those charts result in an amount you can afford, and if your son likes the school in question, you’ve got yourself another safety!</p>
<p>Kids like yours and mine (and lots of others on CC) are lucky! If they choose their 1-3 safeties wisely, their worst-case scenario is that they’ll attend a school they like well-enough at a price they can afford! That’s pretty awesome! :)</p>