@Soccer1235 My dad is the same way. He’s been dropping not-so-subtle hints that he wants me to attend GMU, so he’ll have to pay a lot less and he’s an alumni. If I went to GMU, I’d be a commuter and not getting the full college experience I want. I’ve went along with it, because he’s the one who will be paying most of my tuition, but I feel like he’s going to try to push GMU down my throat every chance he gets until Decision Day. It’s understandable, as attending GMU as a commuter would allow me to pay the smallest amount for college and my dad would easily be able to pay for me to go to grad school. At this point, my father and I definitely want me to go to grad school and maybe even take summer classes while in college. However, I definitely don’t feel comfortable with him paying all of my tuition. I plan on getting a job on Saturdays during the semesters to help pay for it.
Back to your problem, your dad obviously isn’t required to pay your tuition. If he decides to not pay for you to go to a school that you choose, that is pretty far away, then you’ll likely have to find your own means to pay the tuition. Like getting a job, for example. Many college students get jobs because their parents either want them to pay for their own tuition as a way to teach them about hard work in the workplace and the value of money or simply because they don’t have the money to pay the tuition. If the latter is true, then there are always financial aid and scholarships available. I’ll give you a link to a college scholarship website I found. But I’d say that if you get accepted into Vanderbilt and your parents have the means to pay but don’t want to, try and get them to see how much it means. But you also need to realize their point of view. They’re probably thinking, “Why are we about to pay twice or three times as much in tuition for our son’s tuition when he can easily earn his degree from a school that has a much lower cost in tuition?” and you’re right for using the iPhone analogy as it is correct. Comparing colleges is a lot like comparing iPhones. If you had to choose between an iPhone 3C or iPhone 6S, you might ask yourself, “Don’t they do the same exact things?” the answer to which is yes and no. The two iPhone models have their similarities, but there is point where those similarities end. If you want to just be able to call and text people, then get the iPhone 3C, assuming the iPhone 3C is the cheapest one to buy. If you want features that the iPhone 3C doesn’t have, but the iPhone 6S does have, then buy the iPhone 6S.
This is a very similar situation with colleges. Take GMU (George Mason University) and Virginia Tech for example. GMU has a lower tuition than Virginia Tech, however, Engineering-Wise, VT is a lot better. We, as well as parents, have to remember that the reason why we go to college is to earn experience in our individual majors to be able to find jobs and using the concepts we’ve learned and apply them in the workforce. The college you go to could determine how much you learn and how prepared you are for the workforce. Back to the VT and GMU argument, while GMU is a lot more inexpensive, VT brings out the better engineers. You want to know why? Because VT gives the students more experience and also has better Engineering facilities than GMU. VT’s strength IS its Engineering program. Comparing the facilities that VT and GMU have, VT has an entire lab building (The Ware Lab) specifically for engineers, while GMU has a smaller laboratory building for Engineering. Also, VT spends a lot more money on their Engineering program alone than GMU. Both schools allow for Engineering internships. Overall, VT is really just the best place for a college Engineering major in Virginia. VT gives the students more experience for the Engineering workforce and better prepares them for what lies ahead. VT is known to make what are called “cookie cutter” engineers, meaning they do as they are told and are molded to be your typical average engineer. UVA is known to make what are called “theoretical” engineers, meaning they are made to think more in-depth about what they’re doing. Basically, UVA churns out philosophical engineers. Anyway, my point is tha most employers, if asked, would more likely choose a VT student over a GMU students because of VT’s reputation to churn out direction-following engineers who seem know what they’re doing.
My final point, if I had to choose between two schools, the choice would have to be made about what experience you’ll gain from the school versus the tuition of each school, which would be known as deciding factors. If one or the other is the deciding factor, then you should be okay when you’re picking a school. One last thing, if your parents still won’t pay for your tuition, it is okay. You’ll just have to pay your way through college. Yes, this will mean you’ll likely graduate with a TON of debt, but if the school is worth it, then go for it. Also, don’t be like that girl who sued her parents and forced them to pay for her tuition!
I’m really sorry this is so long! Also here’s the link I promised: http://collegeapps.about.com/od/grantsandscholarships/