Is uv university of vermont or uva university of virginia?
Alright, i think Ill stick to Arizona schools since its closer to home as well. Thanks!
Based on OP’s statements he’s unlikely to be eligible for aid. In fact, he needs to remove the likes of Princeton and Harvey Mudd from his list as they’ll be unaffordable given his $50k budget.
That’s good to know. Penn State and tOSU are around $52k and UMD is more like $60k. But you and your parents should check these out if they’re willing to stretch their budget a bit.
If that is the ONLY reason you are considering this school…I would suggest removing it. You know, you might actually broaden your horizons in college. Getting locked into one specific program…what happens if you want to explore other majors or potential career paths?
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Oh, whoops. The list looked so much like a need-based-aid list that I read it that way. Thanks for pointing that out!
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You think they would be willing to pay for these colleges, but not Rice or University of Southern CA. Really?
I only say that because USC and Rice would be almost double the cost, meaning I’d have to take big loans. If they were priced similarly to the likes of umd and penn state, they would be good paying it.
Why would they take loans for any school given the major and where you can get into?
Save the money for grad school.
You said they are well off but if need loans, maybe not as much as you think??
I wouldn’t make a distinction between Rice and others on your list - i.e. some are worth $90k+, others aren’t.
Im just wondering if I rly need that much for like a PhD or something like that, as I heard they are usually fully funded if you teach at the university or something pike that?
I meant U. Virginia. Yale could also be added to the list. However, you should definitely run all the NPCs and trim the lists down as others have already discussed.
If you are interested in eventually working as an astronomer/astrophysicist you will need a PhD. In that case, it is easiest to start at a school that is known for research and then move to others for grad school and postdocs. If you plan to work in more regular position after undergrad, then there are more choices.
From people I know and a Google search, most PhDs are funded (at a non-glamorous level). If you decide to go for a master’s degree, MBA, MD, or law degree you’re likely paying.
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I definitely want to do a PhD and go into astrophysicist work, as research is very appealing to me. If I do a PhD and no masters, would it be worth it to take out loans for undergrad?
I suggest that you try to avoid taking out loans if you can. If you do pursue a PhD, it can be many many years before you have the income required to pay off loans. So, getting through UG without any loans is beyond useful. Also, as an undergrad, you will be limited to federal loans unless your parents sign on to private or parent+ loans.
PhD students in STEM generally get enough to barely get by. So, you may be able to avoid getting any loans if you start at a school that your parents can afford.
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People typically experience imposter syndrome when they are at college. Not when they consider applying.
You don’t need more than one or two safeties, with the key being that you actually like them and would be happy to attend. Don’t waste time and money applying to a lot of safeties, especially ones you have no real interest in. The whole point of a safety is that you will be admitted, can afford it, and like the school.
You asked what the financial aid is like at one school, but you also said finances are not an issue. Please clarify.
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This is a few messages up - so it might add context - which sounds like the typical, they have a budget ($50K-ish I think he said) but would stretch for the right schools (so I take it to be MIT, Cal Tech, etc.
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