I’m a class of 2025 senior struggling to decide between these two. I’m a NMSF, so assuming all goes well and I advance to finalist I will be receiving a full ride to Bama. I’m also in state for IU, and have received direct admit to Kelley as an intended business major. With my parents contributions, IU is currently standing at $10k a year, plus whatever I’ll be able to save up in my four years and additional scholarships. However, I feel awful turning down a full ride just because the college has a non-academic reputation and IU Kelley speaks for itself. Other things I’m considering:
Alabama is 8 hours away, I don’t want to move that far, and I would likely move back home post-grad
I wasn’t even considering IU initially because of how many students from my class will also attend
I wouldn’t consider myself an SEC school type-personality
Kelley would be extremely competitive for grades/clubs and I would definitely be able to stand out in Culverhouse
I know that Kelley would be affordable and better academically, but I don’t want to waste my parent’s money on a degree I could earn for free. Thoughts?
I think it is valid to take fit and location into account when considering what college to attend. I understand finances are a consideration, but they don’t have to be the only consideration.
For example, my S22 was also NMF, and although he chose a school that gave him a large scholarship for his NMF status, he did not choose to attend any of the “full ride” schools he had available to him due to fit/location. Likewise, another NMF student from his school chose IU Kelley (with an OOS scholarship that made it affordable enough) over any of the “full ride” options because she felt it was a better fit.
I mean the NMF full ride schools are a terrific opportunities in the right circumstances (and of course sometimes they are the only affordable way for students to have a residential college experience.) But just because you have a full-ride offer doesn’t mean you are obligated to take it, as long as you have other options that are affordable without too much debt, and it sounds like that is the case for Kelley for you.
Congrats on a strong high school academic record, and best wishes to you
Have you been able to engage with any of the current students, faculty, or administration? Reach out to some of the student leaders, professors or deans via email. Pick profs who are in fields that interest you. Explain your situation. See who responds. Their responses or lack of response may give you a better feel for the undergrad experience. You have two great options. Congrats!
I would not avoid IU just because a lot of students from your high school go there. In my own kids’ district, about half of the NMFs end up at our state’s flagship. Why? Because it is truly strong in a number of fields, and because many people want to end up living in our home state and attending our flagship is great for local internships.
I also would not avoid Kelley because you feel it would be too competitive for grades or clubs or because you worry you would be at risk of not standing out. Be kind, be ethical, be a team player, work hard, and you will stand out.
If you do end up choosing Alabama, I highly recommend joining Blount (or other honors groups) as a way to find other students serious about their studies.
What do you mean Iu Is $10k. Is that your cost - not your parents paying - so you need to find $10k ?
Moving home post grad can happen from anywhere - but if you are not comfortable 8 hours away that matters. But is it different than 3 or 5 ? You’re still away from home.
Kelley is huge so you’re not going to see hs friends.
What is your intended interest ?
For some majors IU might hold an advantage vs others.
It doesn’t appear Bama fits you although you might need to open your mind vs preconceived notions.
Do you have any other affordable acceptances closer ?
Louisville would be $14k tuition room and board as one example after $28k National merit. Just one closer example.
Have you thought about Purdue ? I hope you applied.
Op one more thing - you said - “I know that Kelley would be affordable and better academically“
Don’t confuse quality of academics with a U.S. News ranking. It may or may not be better academically. Or more likely it will be in some classes and not others.
I hope you have a third affordable and closer to home school lined up or you find one - many are still taking apps - as neither seems to be what you desire.
IU and UA for business aren’t really in the same peer group. IU is one of the top business schools in the country, and fairly affordable. It is even more affordable for in-state students.
I would think that IU would offer some merit for in-state, but you will have to pay to live which is low five figures. You could try to be an RA after freshman year for free room and board. Every family’s finances are different, but if you plan to stay in the area around where you grew up (Chicago, Indy, Cinci, Detroit), then I would pay up to $20k per year for IU vs. $0 for UA. I don’t know the exact details of the UA NMSF scholarship, but is it really free? The social scene at UA is also pretty expensive and heavily greek and southern.
A few comments:
–Choosing an affordable college is important but you don’t need to choose the cheapest option.
–Gut feel is part of the process. If you don’t love the distance to AL or the vibe of the school those are important considerations.
–IU is a big university so don’t worry about how many from your HS will be attending – there will be ample opportunity to meet new people.
It sounds to me, from what you have written…that Kelley is an affordable option. You have some good reasons why you don’t want to go to Alabama (distance, SEC reputation).
Please discuss the finances with your parents to be sure Kelley is OK with them. It does sound like the better fit for you from what you have written here.
Also look
at housing costs for both schools after freshman year. Will you need a car at one, none or both? What about travel costs to
and from each school for holidays, move in and move out ? Health insurance - does your current carrier cover doctors/hospitals out of state or do you need to get a school policy.
Facebook etc groups to meet student’s at both schools. See where your peeps are at. Fit is so important when choosing a school.
I am not sure of your comments about the $10,000. But if that is what your parent’s need to do to contribute and they can afford it then great.
I wouldn’t hesitate a second on going to UI for Business.
You will make some money doing internships but don’t count on that money.
The opportunities at a top Business School will just be different. Some competition for clubs etc but why not look at all the different opportunities the school offers. Many different ways to stand out in college that internships /companies are looking for. If your smart enough to get accepted I wouldn’t worry about the rest. You will carve out your own path like you did to get this far. I know many at IU and Kelly and they just love the school. Each are different and all found their peeps.
I put your NMF answers below that you asked about.
I think better school or more opportunities is some, but not all majors. OP hasn’t indicated an interest. Accounting, supply chain, MIS - I’m not sure the where matters. Investment finance - yes. Better is a tough word - a school can be lower ranked but better. And each kids experience and outcome will ultimately determine better for them.
Still unclear on the $10k - does the student need to pay that or the parents are ?
OP is unhappy with both IU and Bama. So who else isleft ? OP did you apply to others closer like Purdue, Miami or Michigan State ? Or are you interested in finding a closer school still taking apps ?
OP is concerned with clubs - not sure for most majors that it matters. Most companies/industries will have zero concern.
Kelley is really big. That may, or may not, be a concern. On one hand, you’re unlikely regularly to see high school kids. On the other, the b school might be overwhelming to you.
OP - comment about quality of academics is not necessarily correct. Don’t confuse US News rank with quality. It may or may not be better quality. It’s more likely they both excel in certain areas vs the other - like every school. Or at least both will have favored and not favored profs.
Your other questions related to national merit and Bama -
Bama semi is $28k off $33k tuition so $20k all in in this case.
Finalist is 5 years tuition, four years housing, $4k per year cash which offsets most of food and $2k one time for research or abroad. For some, they use the 5th for grad school. Some even earn masters.
Thank you all for the replies!
A few things on cost: IU is about $27k in total for in state students and I received a $3k annual scholarship. My parents have saved and are able to contribute $14k a year, so it would fall to me to cover the remaining $10k annually. I’m still working on applying to both general and school-specific scholarships to lower that number.
I know that Alabama offers a lower package if you are specifically just a semifinalist, but as I understand it, most semifinalists become finalists if they completed the application correctly and with care, which I made sure to do. There would definitely be some transportation costs if I went to Bama, though.
I haven’t noted any specific interests in business because I honestly don’t have any. I’ve always been interested in a variety of subjects and am choosing business due to its widescale applicability and flexibility in opportunities post-grad. I don’t see myself going down the IB route though. I’m currently in as an econ or finance major to all schools.
I’ve also applied and been accepted to Miami Ohio, Purdue, and Xavier. All are good schools, but none have the strength of the Kelley program for such a low cost (but Purdue’s COA is comparable).
Thank you for all of the tips and advice! I will definitely keep in mind how large of a campus IU is, and I could get plugged into community at either school. I’m currently talking with some friends at both IU and Bama to get an idea of what their experience has been too! And I know that rankings aren’t everything! When I refer to Kelley being stronger, that mainly comes from the “brand name” recognition Kelley has here in the Midwest where I’d be trying to find a job post-grad, and the networking and career opportunities they have available far surpass anything else I’ve looked at. They’re definitely top of their game. I’ll be sure to keep all of this in mind, thank you so much for all of the encouragement!
For every similar major, IU Kelley has a higher starting salary (by about $10K) than Culverhouse. Kelley’s employment rate (83%) following graduation is far higher than Culverhouse’s (73%), too.
Also, the OP is correct that in looking at outcomes, placement in the Midwest is higher at Kelley than at Culverhouse. While “moving home can happen from anywhere” and some of these differences are due where students come from at each school, it’s still likely to be easier to find Midwest opportunities coming from Kelley.
OP, as others have said, the cheapest option isn’t always the best outcome in the short term or longterm and it doesn’t sound like Alabama is the best for you. Debt can be debilitating and you are wise to consider finances, but with expected salaries of about $10K/year higher at IU, lower travel expenses, and other factors, it sounds like the amount of debt that you might need to assume would be manageable and Kelley has the potential for a better ROI.
Not sure exactly what that means but Alabama is unabashedly proud of having the largest Greek population in the country, its “Roll Tide” nationally ranked football and sports teams and a proud set of southern cultural traditions that are adhered to. For some this is attractive and for others it is not.
You may want to watch Bama Rush. I suspect it was a bit sensationalized but it certainly would raise my concerns when you self describe as a “non SEC type personality”.
Well…for freshman year, you can take the $5500 federally funded Direct Loan in your name only…leaving you about a $5000 balance to fund. Where is that going to come from?
Please discuss the finances with your parents who really are the only ones who can advise you about the money.
I do think IU Kelley is the better choice and especially if you want to work in that region of the country (and YES, I know grads from other colleges sometimes find their jobs on Indeed and they can be all over the country).
Is community college, living at home, and transferring an after two years possibility ?
You may get internships - but may not. You likely can find a summer job if not. Likely not assuredly. Internships are unlikely after first year. And is your parents contribution assured each year. And can they truly afford this ?
Don’t forget loans come with a fee (larger % beyond the $5500) and interest that has to be paid back. Jobs from any school aren’t assured and companies pay by location typically and not school. IUs stats show that - $92k in NY, $80k in Chicago, $65k in Indy, $63k in St Louis. And yes, kids may place locally by choice but with the net anything is possible. My May Charleston grad has a job in Denver. My Bama son’s offers came all over and his first 18 months were Utah, Arizona, and CA.
But the Midwest makes sense for you given your wanting to be close to home desires. Btw business and Econ are very different. Forget the brand, at some point you will prefer one more - and regardless of reputation, that’s what you should study. For example, cost and managerial accounting may not be for you - and if you fall back to econ - in the end, you and not your school will make your career. No school gives you a guarantee - but you give your guarantee. Don’t forget general mngmt is a tough major employment wise. But hopefully you’ll develop an interest after taking classes.
If you are determined to attend school locally, re- visit Purdue. It’s half the size of Kelley, it’s a fine school. And its rep is strong. Forget the brand. Go see it and see if it ‘feels’ better.
You will be somewhere four years. You want to be happy.
But I’d consider a CC unless your parents can stretch more or you are confident on making money during the year (not easy) and having loan payments beyond normal living costs.
There’s also tuition inflation each year - likely not at Purdue which has held the line many years. But that’s not assured either.
Please discuss the finances with your family. Honestly, if the finances work out, Kelley is a far better choice than community college.
It sounds like you would need $10,000 per year, plus the $27000 Direct loan amount. That is a total of $67,000 for all four years, but let’s say $70,000 because of interest. That would be about $700 a month in loan payments over ten years, and your earning power likely will be able to support that. But please…talk to your parents.
@Mwfan1921 how easy or hard would it even be to transfer in to Kelley as a junior and still graduate in four years?
