Hello parents!! I’m from the High School Class of 2018 thread and have been following the parents thread for a while because there’s so much good information and insight!
I just wanted to point out that, from what I’ve found, the California public universities have very little merit aid, thus making the problem more financial than of getting accepted (from my POV). From what I understand, the largest merit scholarship is typically the Regent’s scholarship of around $2000 for middle class students. My parents haven’t saved anything for college and their EFC is larger than what they can afford. I would love to attend a UC school but financials might push me to out of state schools where the state-schools offer full rides/full tuition+ based on merit alone.
Just a high schooler’s view! Thank you so much for being a part of this community! Through this thread, I have discovered opportunities from universities like U of Oklahoma, UT Dallas, and U of Central Florida (possible NMSM). Thank you!!
I agree - it’s not getting accepted that’s the issue. It’s the experience once you get there. I hear anecdotally of kids who have trouble getting the classes they need & thus have trouble graduating in 4 years. An extra quarter or two is no trivial expense these days.
Re: the UCs - It’s the price tag that’s the problem here, especially when compared against excellent NMF offers available at OOS schools. CSULB has a full ride for NMFs, but impaction is a problem, getting housing is a problem and trying to rent off campus is even worse, and they don’t have a great track record for pre-meds.
I think I said upthread that even with Regents, the UCs want 35% of our pre-tax income, and there’s just no way in a variety of hot places that we can do that.
Even if we had full tuition, room & board at the UCs is almost $16k. For comparison purposes, UNM with the Amigo scholarship is 16k for tuition and room & board.
I don’t know how many kids are driven out of state, but it makes me worry about a brain drain. I can see a great many scenarios where my S does undergrad in New Mexico and ends up staying in New Mexico - all because the UCs have made themselves impossible or nearly so for middle class kids.
That’s a good point @DiotimaDM. My older D took a full tuition offer from Temple, will graduate this May, and plans to stay in the Philadelphia area. For her, it’s a combination of having a teaching degree that won’t be immediately usable in California, and the high cost of living of returning here.
That is a great point, @DiotimaDM.
My D hears from her Canadian peers that a big draw to McGill, over UToronto and UBC, is that Montreal has a much lower cost of living. Students in Toronto and Vancouver tend to leave their city after they graduate, whereas it’s much more practical for McGill students to find jobs and settle in Montreal.
My daughter with a 33 ACT and a decent UW GPA (3.7) has a net price estimate of 7500 after merit aid at Ole Miss.
My older daughter got an offer of 2000 for Regents and 500 for need based aid from UCLA.
She now attends Vanderbilt for less than 1/2 the net price of a UC.
We cannot afford the in state tuition in CA.
DD submitted applications to University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Stephen F Austin State University. She is an assured admit to SFA and, if I read the info correctly, she should be assured admission to Ole Miss too. Happy to have 2 done! She is ready to hit the submit on U of South Carolina too, not sure what she is waiting for, lol.
DD knocked a few more essays out over the past few days. I can’t seem to motivate her to write the Texas C essay just yet. Seems like supplemental essay topic du jour is something about diversity.
I don’t know all the rules here, but it’s pretty cool that you guys are so involved in your kids future. They’re so lucky to have you. As a first generation immigrant my mother wouldn’t know the first thing about any of this.
@Hafsa01 Yea agreed that is why I follow this thread. Everyone here is so helpful, and I get to make sure that I’m not missing something crucial. Super awesome thread, plus they are wayyy more active than the Class of 2018 thread.
@mommdc - regarding Chapman, I actually grew up in the city of Orange where Chapman is. At that time, it was a tiny religiously-affiliated college & I still have that impression in my mind. That being said, older D did apply & was accepted there as they have an excellent program in her area - choral music, but she opted for the larger & far more urban Temple & that was the right choice for her. My nephew attended Chapman for 1 year before transferring to USC - he was a little bored there. I think it’s a niche school that is the right choice for some, but definitely not for my D2018 who needs a larger & more diverse school. Santa Clara - I’m not terribly familiar with, but I don’t know that they give out the kind of merit awards that we are seeking (nor does Chapman).
I’m a bit envious of you that have kids that have app already turned in, S18 doesn’t get back from China until 8/14 and seriously doubt he’s doing any about applications until he gets home.
If you want to list AP awards, they are now officially posted on line on the College Board web site.
@3scoutsmom, is he set on UTD 100% or will he apply to a few other schools too? If it’s just UTD, he will be done with his application in less than an hour. Essays and recommendations are optional and with his stats and ECs he’ll get maximum AES even if by some chance he doesn’t make NMF. So no worries if he isn’t able to get to his application until he gets home.
@3scoutsmom…I think China is a fantastic reason to not have an app turned in, lol! DD is in a lull a the moment finished summer online classes, no job and waiting for college visits trip and cheer to start. So just taking advantage of the down time!
Is the AP Scholar with Honor considered a national award for Common App purposes?
@traveler98 I went to grad school at UTD and am encouraging that. It’s a great school but he felt it was a more “techie” crowd and has heard it’s more of a commuter school and he wants a more “traditional” college experience. Alabama is in his Top 5. He will be NM Commended. Did not do as well on PSAT as SAT.
I am guessing 2 names will be removed from this list, and one added prior to final application time. I sometimes worry the right school is not even listed. (meaning we don’t know what it is)
Arizona
ASU
Alabama
Oklahoma
Texas A & M
TCU
Trinity University
Tulane
Chicago
Princeton
