<p>Many times when you enroll full time for a program at a college, extra courses don’t cost anything, by the way, so they are freebies. Start looking for things that are as close of a match as possible. </p>
<p>Some colleges would prefer a student to forfeit AP credits if their expereince has been that a lot of students are not adequately prepared for the next course up with an AP high school course. Also with certain things like premed, the AP course might not be adequate, with grades being so important, it’s smarter to focus on getting them as high up as possible. At my college, if you had AP Bio and were premed, you did have to still take a Bio course for medical school purposes, but the AP credit would allow you to take a more upper level course, but getting that “A” in the basic Bio would be a lot better for you than a “B” in the more advanced level course in terms of Medical school apps. DH’s roommate went ahead and took the more advanced level course as he knew up front he wanted to go into research and was more interested in taking the most advanced level bio and chem courses as early as possible, in additon to being very strong in those areas. But few people are so directed at age 18 to make that sort of judgement. He went right into advance Bio and O-chem courses as a freshman based on his AP test scores. Not something advisable for most Premeds even with the AP scores to be able to do this. Rack up those A’s in the the classes and get the preparation the college gives for their own courses.</p>
<p>The rules may be a little harshly worded but not unfair. They don’t want to pay for more than 4 years of college, that is very clear. When you say, you have lots of interests and you may want to double or triple major, that means more than 4 years (to me). I would be very reluctant to fund that. I agree with your parents, if you want that third major - great, as long as you graduate in 4 years. If that isn’t possible, then you need to pay for that extra time. Further, they expect college to lead to a career path and job that can support you. If you have three majors, one had better lead to a job after graduation.</p>
<p>As for the rest, it is pretty common for students to earn their own spending money. I’m impressed that your parents volunteered to pay the EFC. I told my daughter how much H and I can spend on her college each year; it was far less than that. I also said if there was a gap between the total cost and what we would pay, she had to make up the rest. Finally, your parents are nice to offer a car in exchange for a scholarship - they could have kept the money to themselves because it is their money.</p>
<p>The only thing I disagree with your parents is the micromanaging of your courses. They may have some misconceptions about credits and courses and how tuition works or maybe they want you to remain fulltime. I have seen kids drop to part-time and just take electives (that would drive me nuts). </p>
<p>It may be jarring to hear this all laid out but your parents are doing you a favor. You know exactly what is expected of you.</p>
<p>Huh? What exactly does this mean? Do they expect you to get a credential–I wouldn’t call it an education–in the minimum amount of time possible, or do they expect to fund up to fours years as an undergraduate? Many, many students double major in 4 years. If they are saying they won’t pay for a fifth year, that is much more reasonable.</p>
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<p>If that is as much as they can afford, then that is reasonable.</p>
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<p>A car? Seriously skewed values, IMHO. In five or ten years a car will be a hunk of junk. Education will enrich your life forever. (Not to mention that unless their EFC is really tiny that is going to be one hell of a car!)</p>
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<p>At the schools with which I am familiar, one does not pay course by course, which makes this meaningless.</p>
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<p>Both reasonable.</p>
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<p>You don’t need to major or minor in something to take courses in it and explore it.</p>
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<p>What? One doesn’t <em>repeat</em> AP classes in college in most cases, one takes other courses instead. One fairly common exception is that people in STEM fields may choose to repeat some basic science and math courses that they theoretically could skip because they feel the need for better grounding in the subject than their AP or CC course provided. Schools also set their own standards regarding placement after AP and dual enrollment classes. The better the school. the higher the standards are likely to be. A 3 on the AP Chem exam might get you credit at your directional state U, but at MIT it won’t. People who are interested in education, not in obtaining a credential in the shortest possible time, use APs to skip intro courses, but they still take the same number of courses in the end. Of course, some people cannot afford to spend 4 years in undergraduate school, or want to move quickly into graduate work or whatever. </p>
<p>You had to have tutors for your AP classes??</p>
<p>An AP test cost $85. Not a particularly good reason to insist a kid take one fewer college course, unless money is very tight. I don’t know what your parents’ finances are like, but a lot of this depends on that. It also depend on what kind of school you will attend. At many of them, much of this stuff about paying for electives does not apply.</p>
<p>My husband double-majored in 4 years, and you could too. If you don’t extend the time, it is quite reasonable to request that they cover the increased credit hours, as it shows your diligence and willingness to work hard. </p>
<p>Other than that, they actually sound like reasonable rules to me. You need to have some skin in the game. I agree with the poster that said it would be easier if they simply said that they can pay X dollars per year, and however much you can get out of that is up to you. </p>
<p>Not paying your rent or expenses to live elsewhere after graduation is eminently reasonable (unless that elsewhere involves an important internship or something). </p>
<p>Why WOULDN’T you want to use APs or Dual credit courses to satisfy requirements? I don’t understand why forfeiting them would even be on the table, though I do realize that some universities won’t accept them.</p>
<p>I think the rules are ridiculous. All of them. Some more than others. </p>
<p>LOL! Nobody needs a new car and it’s the biggest waste of money on the planet. A broad education, on the other hand, is not. College is not vocational school.</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter whether they are reasonable. Parents are not obligated to pay for college so if they set out the rules then those are the rules. I don’t think you will be able to do anything about them.</p>
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<p>If that’s their rule learn to live with it. </p>
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<p>I would find out what your EFC is and learn to live within that budget. You are lucky that they are giving you a budget. Some parents allow their kids to think they will pay anything and then at the end of the process tell them they are limited. Your parents are being generous and very clear with you. That is a good thing.</p>
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<p>That sounds great if you can make it happen.</p>
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<p>This may be unenforceable. My son pays the same amount of money as a full time student regardless of whether he takes 15 or 18 credits. He can take an additional “fun” class as long as he fulfills his degree requirements and it doesn’t cost us any additional money. As long as you keep on track for your degree you may be able to squeeze in an additional elective.</p>
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<p>I assume you planned on this all along. If your parents are paying your EFC and books you don’t need all that much other money. You should be able to work a job in the summer to make what you need for the school year. </p>
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<p>Did you expect that as a college graduate and grown up adult that your parents would pay for your living expenses? </p>
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<p>It makes sense to me. Why would you want to pay for something that you already paid for? Of course your new college will want you to forfeit them. They want to make the money. If I were you I would try to find schools that will accept them. You earned the credit. Why would you want to take the classes again?</p>
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<p>Parents are not required to pay ANYTHING towards college. Those of us who pay are doing more than what is required. Don’t get me wrong, I want my kids to go to college and I am willing to pay for it, but I am not willing to allow them to go off and take 10 years to finish college because they want a triple major. Nor am I willing to pay their living expenses when they are 30.</p>
<p>My rules for my college aged kids:</p>
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<li><p>We get to see your grades every semester or we don’t pay your expenses. You must get decent grades and make progress towards your degree.</p></li>
<li><p>You get four years to get your degree. If you don’t have a degree at that point you can pay for it.</p></li>
<li><p>You provide your own spending money.</p></li>
<li><p>We pay for you to come home Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks. You have to pay for any other travel. We did pay for him to join us on a family vacation over winter break.</p></li>
<li><p>When you are living at home in the summer you need to participate in running the household (take out trash, clean up after meals, etc.)</p></li>
<li><p>After you graduate you may live at home but at that point you have to pay for all of your own personal expenses.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If I would be majoring in something that would normally take more than 4 years, such as engineering or a 5 yr to masters program, they would pay. I had wanted to major in math, Asian studies, and Linguistics. They said if I can do all that in 4 yrs, fine. If not, I should pick one and just take the others as electives. I also want to study abroad. But I would like to do that for an entire year, not just a semester. This means it would take five years to graduate.</p>
<p>You’re presenting not a double major but a triple major! No way I’d pay for that. You’ll need to focus. It’s not Disneyland.</p>
<p>You could do something like major in one of them and minor in another or maybe even two minors or you could major/minor and just take some courses in whatever the other interest area is.</p>
<p>You know - there’s a very high likelihood you wouldn’t really do what you have planned (triple major?) even if given the flexibility. You’ll likely change your mind on some of these areas as you progress.</p>
<p>Studying abroad doesn’t necessarily (or even usually) add to the length of time to graduate. If you study abroad for a year it substitutes for a year you’d be doing at your college. You need to be selective though in exactly which study abroad program you’d take to make sure it’s compatible with your particular college and planned area of study. If the logistics about the study abroad don’t work out then just skip it and take a vacation abroad later.</p>
<p>I think you have some research on your own to do about how all of this works before you worry too much about what your parents are saying.</p>
<p>Also - we all don’t get whatever we want. I think your level of expectations of what you should get from your parents based on your ‘wants’ (not ‘needs’) is not realistic. You need to be able to compromise on your expectations and plans to what are reasonable realities imposed by your parents regarding their financial support.</p>
<p>That’s the way it’s going to be. Your parents are not obligated to provide for every single whim you have. They are willing to pay for you to go to college in the US for 4 years. That’s a whole lot more than many other kids get. Be grateful.</p>
This is more than it appears some of the parents posting on this thread are willing to pay. It’s very reasonable. </p>
<p>What exactly are your expectations of them? Do you think you s/b able to go to a college and basically mess around taking 3 majors, studying abroad, etc. over the course of 5, 6, 7, or more years and have them just pay for whatever you want and then when you graduate pay for you to live in some apartment as well? Doesn’t this sound like unreasonable expectations to you?</p>
<p>Engineering bachelor’s degree programs are typically 4 year (8 semester or 12 quarter) programs, although many students do take longer (but many students do take longer in other majors).</p>
<p>Study abroad for a year does not necessarily delay graduation, but you have to either make sure that your courses at the study abroad school will be useful to help you graduate on time, or fulfill any subject requirements at your home university.</p>
<p>If you are a student who has completed calculus and post-calculus math (multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations) while still in high school, then you are not likely to be a student who will benefit from repeating previous math courses, although you should be aware that upper division math courses tend to be heavy with theory and proofs that lower division math courses may not have as much of. But if you are that advanced, then it should not be hard to fit a math major and one of the other majors in eight (or even seven or six) semesters.</p>
<p>If they are agreeable to anything you do keeping their contribution to at or below four years of EFC (i.e. not micromanaging as you make it out to be in your first post), then it is up to you to figure out a plan based on that. It should not be impossible if you plan everything out well, but if you insist on forfeiting AP and college credit earned in high school, and/or doing a study abroad which does not include courses for your major(s), that can be significantly more difficult.</p>
<p>Your parents are completely, 100% reasonable based on your second explanation. They are saying figure it out in four years, that is all the money there is. Too bad that you want more – either take a gap year (or two) to earn the money to pay for it yourself, or accept their incredibly generous offer of paying your EFC (assuming they mean the FAFSA EFC) for four years. It doesn’t sound like they are limiting your option to double major OR to study abroad. But they are telling you to figure out which of those things you want, because they aren’t going to fund five years. You need to stop whining, make some decisions about what your priorities are, and thank your parents profusely for being willing to pay for most of your costs for four years.</p>
<p>How much can your parents afford, and how much are they willing to contribute. If they have money and you have documented aspiration and ability to do well in college, then I find the limitations grossly unreasonable. If they’re struggling, it makes sense. </p>
<p>The pay for 4 years part is a big one - in this era, advanced degrees are a must in many fields, and staying longer in school is a result. It would be hypocritical for me and my wife, with 7 college degrees between us, to put such a limit (combined 29 years in college full and part time Not all was paid by our parents but the financial reality of the 80’s is different than today).</p>
<p>I agree with your parents. I have told my kids we would pay 4 years. Figure out how you can get the bulk of what you want done in 4 years - even studying abroad. Is there a program that will allow you to take classes that will go towards your major while studying abroad? Perhaps an asian school for the asian studies? Maybe something could move to be a minor?</p>
<p>What we did with our kids was we said we have a certain lump sum to go for all 4 years. They know what that is because it is in the 529 plan. That covers the bulk of the expenses except for books and spending money. My son has been helping contribute to his share each semester so that there is more left in the 529 plan when he gets to that 9th semester that he is expecting to have to take to get his two majors completed. Fortunately, he has had the opportunity to work as an RA and has had well paying summer internships that have really helped out. Fortunately for my son, he had several AP credits otherwise he would be staying even longer. He is majoring in computer science and mechanical engineering and either one on their own could take over 4 years. He expects to get both done in 4 1/2 years.</p>
<p>In your case, make your AP courses work to the best of your advantage. If you can get credit for something you have already taken, then use that time to take something else that you need. If you want to graduate with three majors in 4 years you need to be very well organized and on task. Know exactly what you need to take each semester and keep on target. My daughter is also planning on graduating in 4 years with two majors and a minor. She has taken a few summer courses starting in her freshman year at our local community college on line. Very inexpensive, the credits transfer, and she has finished some of her core requirements this way. She also had several AP classes in place before she started.</p>
<p>You want to triple major, and spend an entire year studying abroad. It’s admirable that you have a variety of interests and you seek out new experiences. However, dreams must be tempered by reality. I’d like to retire at age 50 and move to the beach. I have two children to put through college, so realistically unless I win the lottery that just isn’t going to happen. Your parents are giving you a gift by paying for part of your education. They are asking you to use that gift wisely. There are many, many kids out there who would LOVE to be in your shoes. If the worst thing that happens in your life is that you have to double-major rather than triple, or you can only study abroad for one semester rather than an entire year, you’ll still be well ahead of many of your peers.</p>
<p>All of us can’t be Daddy Warturbo93bucks! :P</p>
<p>The rules are reasonable (I printed them out and gave them to my DD…but she just ignored me…I must reminder to add a rule about ignoring daddy…). I’m sure it’s a starting point for your parents, and that they will make reasonable adjustments.</p>
<p>I was surprised when researching college for DD, that engineering was now a 4 year degree. It really was a 5 year degree at UF…back in the 80’s…one dropped course could push you back a year…but they slimmed down the curriculum (a few less humanities/social sciences electives) and now closely monitor each student to make sure they don’t decide to take a semester off (or “forget” to take that critical Thermo class)…</p>
<p>…so basically, your parents’ requirements are to graduate in four years, be financially independent after you graduate, and pay for your personal expenses? Seems completely reasonable to me.</p>
<p>I think the rules are reasonable but a bit micro managing. We told our kids this is the amount we will pay for their 4 year undergraduate degree. We also made it clear that they need to get a job and be financially independent when they graduate in 4 years.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter if the rules are reasonable or not. Their money, their rule. There are plenty of parents out there who can’t afford to or don’t want to pay for their kids’ college. Parents have no obligation to pay anything for their adult children.</p>
Not all was paid by our parents but the financial reality of the 80’s is different than today).</p>