My college dilemma: free vs. unfree

College Search & Lists
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<p>Okay so, this is my problem.
My mom is a professor at a small local college. Through her college, there is a tuition exchange program with 300+ other schools, which I can go to for free. <a href=“https://wp.cic.edu/Chapter/CICChapterMembers.aspx?CID=4776a598-90cd-db11-a182-005056873acc[/url]”>https://wp.cic.edu/Chapter/CICChapterMembers.aspx?CID=4776a598-90cd-db11-a182-005056873acc&lt;/a&gt; <—this is the list of free schools through the TEP.
They’re basically all small, not very good colleges.<br>
Out of that entire list I’ve applied to Hartwick College. It’s the only one I’ve liked! I was accepted a little over a week ago at Hartwick, which I’ve visited twice. I like it, but it’s in the middle of nowhere (Oneonta, NY) and the academics are…not the greatest.</p>

<p>Now, my parents aren’t limiting me to that list. And if I don’t use the schools on that list, I also have 70% of the GI Bill from my dad (yes, my parents have hooked me up quite well). But the GI Bill won’t cover everything, especially if I go to an expensive school.</p>

<p>However, I’ve also applied to SUNY Geneseo (in state), University of St Andrews (accepted), Ohio State (both parents are alumni), Kenyon College, Colorado College, Denison University, and Vanderbilt.</p>

<p>Now…of course, I like basically all of the schools on the aforementioned list better than I like Hartwick, but do you think I would be stupid to not go to the free school? I mean…I don’t know. Plus, I’m thinking about premed, and going to a competitive school may hurt more than it would help (my GPA at Vandy would be a lot lower than at Hartwick!).
But Hartwick is also in the middle of nowhere, so my volunteer/experience opportunities would be limited.</p>

<p>Also, random but do any of you know anything at all about Christian Brothers University in Memphis? It’s on the list and it’s near St Jude’s, which would be amazing for me because I’ve wanted to be a pediatric oncologist since I was literally 11 years old.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>(Oh, and 'cause I know you’ll ask - 94.18 W average, all APs/honors, 2050/1360 SAT, 31 ACT.)</p>

2

<p>If I were you I’d check that list a little closer. There are some very good schools on it. Are you getting a “free ride” or just all tuition for four years at these schools? Either way it’s a great deal. For example Hampshire, in Amherst is part of the five college consortium and you can take classes at Amherst, Smith, Mt Holyoke and UMass when you go there. Might be worth looking at. Lots of other possibilities besides Hartwick, depending on what part of the country you want. Good luck with your search.</p>

3

<p>Wow, thank you! I don’t know how I overlooked that…it is I large list, but I thought I had gone through Massachusetts!
Are there any others on there that you think are worth a double check?
And it’s not a free ride per say, just tuition all four years. I still have to pay for room & board, but that’s a small price to pay when looking at the tuition of some of these schools!</p>

4

<p>Just quicky once through the list: Albright, Berea, Carrol, Chaminade, Dominican University, Duquense University, Fisk, Georgetown College, Goddard Col, Hillsdale,Marietta, Regis, Ripon, St.Martins’s, Univesity of Scranton, Utica, Widener,and Wilkes. Lots of different places, types of schools, there’s probably more. If cost is at all an issue I’d pick at least a couple of these as financial safeties if nothing else-- of course you should actually want to go to a safety and I’d suggest visiting.</p>

5

<p>Just be aware - you are not guaranteed to get a tuition exchange scholarship at any of the colleges. There are forms that must be submitted from your mom’s college, you must apply for regular admission to the school(s) and be accepted. Then the importing college will make a decision on who will receive TE scholarships. The rates of granting of the TE scholarship range from 10% to 100%. They used to show the rates, but I see that they don’t any more.</p>

<p>And each importing school seems to have its own way of awarding them. So you may want to apply to several so that you may have the best options. Also you can ask the financial aid people at the schools in which you are interested how they award them, how many applications for it they receive and how many they award…</p>

6

<p>I know a guy who went to Hamilton and like it quite a bit. Smart guy, knew how to do a lot of things. He took classes at Smith and UMass while there. The Senior year is like a grad school year and you produce a thesis on a topic of your choice. It is in an awesome college area and the progam has a great deal of flexibility. Check it out, add it!</p>

<p>People here say that top of you class high gpa is important for med school, but the school itself is not so important. Do some reading. Saving thousands and thousands it important. St Andrews in Scotland? I know a girl there now. It is costing her parents a fortune.</p>

7

<p>Are you female? St. Mary’s (on your list) is a female only school affiliated with Notre Dame. Much less difficult to get into, has a great reputation, and students are ableto take classes offered at Notre dame.</p>

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<p>4safrontman: Thanks! I’ll check it out!</p>

<p>kitty: thanks! i took your advice and emailed Hartwick. I know it isn’t guaranteed so I guess I’ll have to hope for the best, haha. Hopefully Hartwick will get back to me soon.</p>

<p>BrownParent: Thanks for the input. I added Hampshire to my commonapp, but my application will probably depend on if they need my SAT/ACT directly from the testing agency - I’ve applied to a lot of schools! :slight_smile:
Yeah, I’m kind of coming around to the realization that the school itself matters less than my GPA and such, and I’m probably more likely to have a high GPA and such at a small, less competitive school. I just think that being able to graduate with no debt (my parents can cover r&b and such) would be awesome, as well as having my college fund intact for Med/Graduate school.
And yup, St Andrews in Scotland. I love it, but I know I’ll wipe out my college fund even with the GI Bill and it probably wouldn’t be worth it. :/</p>

<p>Hoosiermom: Yes, I am. Thanks, I’ll check it out!</p>

9

<p>

I’m familiar with it, and I really wouldn’t recommend it for the sciences. Science/engineering students make up a very small portion of the student body, and the science facilities are wholly unimpressive. A significantly better option would be Rhodes, which isn’t on the list but usually provides a fair amount of money to its students.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.rhodes.edu/[/url]”>http://www.rhodes.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I’m pretty fond of Warren Wilson and the VA colleges (Hollins, Lynchburg, etc.), but I suspect they’re too rural for you.</p>

10

<p>I agree with several of those mentioned already and will add 2 more. Illinois Wesleyan–very good. U. of Evansville. Often overlooked, nice school, though. Evansville is not a great city, but certainly not rural.</p>

11

<p>Other good schools on the list: Baldwin Wallace, Duquesne, Hanover College, Hollins (better for english/writing), Norwich</p>

12

<p>Univ of St Thomas in Houston has a decent biology program and it’s right in downtown Houston, not in the boonies.</p>

13

<p>A lot of what you get out of college is up to you. For encouragement, read through <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/905843-top-student-3rd-tier-school-four-years-later.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/905843-top-student-3rd-tier-school-four-years-later.html&lt;/a&gt; Then take another, longer look at the list of “free” institutions on your list. You might also have a sit-down with your mom’s colleagues in the department(s) that you would want to major in, and ask for their recommendations. They will have a sense of which of the places on the list offer the programs that you are looking for.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

14

<p>The one that jumps off the list to me is Illinois Wesleyan. Not a household name, but a good school. And as mentioned, Hampshire and Warren Wilson would have appeal for the right student, but they’re unusual in terms of campus climate. Definitely keep you options open for more selective schools - they may surprise you with aid.</p>

15

<p>Do you think that your parents’ incomes/assets will be too high for aid?</p>

<p>Does anyone know if getting a GI benefit is considered when qualifying for aid?</p>

16

<p>I agree with Erin’s Dad that Baldwin Wallace and Duquesne are worth looking into.</p>

17

<p>YAY FOR TUITION EXCHANGE!!!TE is such a great oppertunity and there are so many good schools on the list. Personally, I’m applying to Skidmore, Connecticut College, Mount Holyoke, and Tulane from the list.</p>