<p>dontcareforthis, attending NU was my daughter’s dream too, so I know how difficult this decision must be for you. I don’t know if I would have said this a year ago, but knowing what I know now (my daughter will be sophomore this year), and knowing there would probably be much better aid next year, I’d tell my daughter to go for it. NU has been everything she hoped it would be. As it is, she’s receiving excellent aid, so her choice was much easier.</p>
<p>It would take a long time to pay it off, so it certainly is a huge decision. There are excellent reasons for either choice, and I don’t think anybody should fault you either way.</p>
<p>You can PM me if you have any other questions I can help you with.</p>
<p>NU was my dream from 9th grade too. Right now I’m (finally) happy with the school I’ll be attending, but I’ve kept locked in the back of my mind the idea that if I work hard enough, and I find myself unhappy at school I can give Northwestern another shot. I was really shocked to see this post (it’s always good to be reminded that your thoughts and feelings aren’t unique after all). You’re unhappy with what you had and did the work to change it (that is no small accomplishment). I say go for the dream school; Northwestern is worth it. And congrats.</p>
<p>Okay…so I’m deciding on Northwestern :)…thanks for all of the replies! Ya’ll def. helped to make my decision easier. Sometimes you need to branch away from family, friends, and co-workers and get the opinions of those who are unbiased in these situations! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>As someone who hasn’t even started UChicago yet but is DESPERATE to go to NU for it’s film major, I was curious about your fin. aid situation because without generous help I won’t be able to go and I’ve wanted NU since 8th grade. If you don’t mind my asking, what was your EFC? Mine is pretty low so I’m trying to compare possible help I could get if I get in as a transfer.</p>
<p>Here’s the catch!!! MY EFC started at 9,000! SMU honored my 9,000 EFC, and was actually willing to pay the 9,000 w/ additional merit scholarships. I would be going for free. Northwestern, on the other hand, noted that my EFC was 9,000…and even put it down as an official figure. Then, they noticed the investment we put on our new home…and changed this number THEMSELVES to a whopping 33,000. Their response basically was: we’re not asking you to sell your house, but if your family puts their money into certain things…that’s great! but…it’s not our fault they didn’t free up cash for your education. They also used the whole “your dad has a business” excuse…after the fact that we proved our business is NOT YET PROFITABLE…all money we make, we put right back in. Our annual income is LESS than a Northwestern education…, but because my parents are doing the smart thing by sticking the money they previously made (STILL NOT ENOUGH TO AFFORD NU) into assets (my dad had to give up his former business due to severe and random heart problems), we get penalized. I just don’t understand how SMU and every single school I was accepted to during my Senior year offered ACTUAL financial aid…and took my low EFC into account, while NU basically told me to shove it up my ass and find a way. (So now, my rents can only pay 25k a year…that’s all they can afford, so I am in the process of finding the other half). I guess my situation justifies the fact that “NU transfers generally receive very little aid”…and I hope this changes once I prove myself academically.</p>
<p>And did I mention the fact that I went into their financial aid office BAWLING…(yeah, I can act…haha), telling them that I won’t be able to attend if they don’t give me some sort of scholarship. And their response: “See if you can still get financial aid at SMU.” And then they handed me a student loan sheet, and shooed me out of their office.</p>
<p>I’m a little confused on this… Do you expect NU to <em>give</em> you the money to attend just because you have been accepted? </p>
<p>So, did you apply for the student loans? </p>
<p>I would suggest you check with FA about the possibility of aid for the second year. They may be able to give you an idea of what will be available to you after you “prove yourself acedemically”. </p>
<p>Hope your <em>acting</em> didn’t tick them off.</p>
<p>No, I didn’t expect them to <em>give</em> me money because I was accepted. I expected them to <em>give</em> me money because my family can’t afford a 50k education. I’m taking out student loans, and I’ve spoken to several students who claim that financial aid is better the second year after I <em>prove myself academically</em>. And no, my <em>acting</em> didn’t tick them off. While my initial intentions were to go into the FA Office and guilt them for the decision they made, my tears and actions were sincere…and derived from the fact that my parents told me I would not be attending if I didn’t receive aid. Thanks for your concerns.</p>
<p>Hmmm, well I’m closer in the pot to johnM’s situation I think. My mom’s divorced and I don’t have contact with my father so I’m in a situation where my EFC is only $4900 with no investments, no savings, no back-up anything money. I got a $31,000 grant from UChicago this year plus a few other random things so my mother and I only have to pay $4900 plus I have a few loans. If I can at least get $21,000 or more in grant money from NU because of my situation, I will work to get more loans and go because I know UChicago just won’t be for me exactly. I’m too artsy and they’re too technical intellectual. I just went for the city life and the name of the school and their film society, actually. I figured it would help for the transfer. lol</p>