And is currently not doing the varsity sport because:
@ChoatieMom, do you have any advice for this student?
@Gumbymom, do you have the acceptance info for the CS majors for these 2 schools? Also, do you know if either have ROTC scholarships for out-of-state students?
Actually, for these major options?
I have the CS admit rates for 2024 Freshman but not 2025.
UC Berkeleyâs CS admit rate was 1.9% and UC Davis was 19%.
I do not have any specific information about the ROTC scholarships and OOS applicant eligibility. I would recommend contacting each individual UC campus and ask.
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Fair enough, My classes should line up with what you say. I guess I am fine with lowering the acceptance rate if that is what is projected.
Maybe its better to just take those off the list then, OOS Tuition is nuts and the acceptance rate is wild also.
Im breaking open some tuition calculators over the weekend like myintuition to get ballparks for my schools and will adjust based on that.
You need to use the Net Price Calculator on each collegeâs website. Remembering that they are accurate (mostly) for kids applying NOW (which is not you) and will likely NOT be accurate if your family owns real estate apart from the home you live in, thereâs a divorce situation, or another unusual circumstance. Do not waste time on the generic âhereâs what this college will costâ calculators. They are either wildly optimistic or just plain wrong.
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The rate is the rate. It doesnât matter.
If the NPC is right, then apply.
You get in or you wonât.
The acceptance rate is irrelevant. And while the odds are heavily against, if you donât get in, youâll never know why.
You are like anyone else - you need a few assured and affordable admits.
Between a UMASS and MlT youâll have none assured.
On the list above and weâll see more when you test, but Lowell would be the in. But likely WPI and RPI but would they be affordable? And having a test score will better define if they are likely - and will impact affordability at many, especially a high score.
But itâs truly too early to know but good you are researching. But have mom/dad give you a $$ figure - thereâs likely many not on your list that will work too that are excellent.
Do NOT use the myintuition calculator. Use the NPCs on each individual college website. Myintuition is notoriously inaccurate.
Also, as noted. The NPCs are currently set up for students starting college in 2026 fall. I donât think that is YOU.
If you are starting college in 2027-2028 academic year, you will need to use 2025 tax year information. Since 2025 hasnât quite ended, you will need to project the numbers to complete the year. Use the results as a gross estimate only. There are colleges that DO change their need based aid awarding policies.
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Thanks for the advice, it was very different from myintuition, I probably will need to find a strong merit scholarship or just stay instate or go somewhere I can get a scholarship because my parents are not going to give me more than 15k a year that I will need to pay back with the exception of full for instate. not a fun conversation. any advice?
Look at your instate options, which your parents say they will pay in full for.
Remember, MIT and all of the Ivies do not give any merit aid. If you are seeking merit aid, look at some of the suggestions posted upstream by others. If your parents give you $15,000 and you take the federally funded Direct Loan ($5500 for freshmen), you have just over $20,000 as your budget. This means you likely need a full tuition merit award because room and board will come close to $20,000 a year.
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Will they pay in full for your in-state state schools?
yes
Any advice for strong merit schools or scholarships because of my unique situation
There are schools in the $20i range. Think South and think needing a strong Sat/Act
U had mentioned ROTC as well.
Y I said up front you need a budget.
Kids turn diwn the ivies bcuz of money. Itâs just life. People just donât have $360-400k to spare.
What is your âunique situationâ?
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It looks like thatâs around $34k a year.
And UMass has some good programs.
My parents income and assets are high but comparably they are willing to spend a low amount a year for what little aid I will get, I am not trying to sound like a ungrateful kid its just a difficult situation to be in.
There are many families with a tight budget, regardless of income. Itâs not unusual.
In this case, you need to know how to build your list. You will need geographic flexibility
This was both my kids. And many more.
Itâs more unusual someone willing to pay $90k plus a year.
Get your test score and come back to the thread.
In the meantime, make sure your parents understand how much college costs - from UMASS to MIT. They may not realize. Many families donât.
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Thatâs not a unique situation, and unfortunately colleges wonât view it as a circumstance that warrants special consideration.
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