<p>blindkite, here’s my $0.02. Your posts suggest to me that you really would prefer to go to Yale, and that your reasons to go to Yale are good ones. I am in my 40’s and from my vantage point I see $100K as not a very big investment to make. I’m not saying your options in Colorado are bad but don’t let the money stop you from going where you <em>really</em> want to go. By all means try to squeeze some money out of Yale finaid but honestly it won’t matter in 20 years. And you are correct, it is not the same to say “well there’s always grad school”.</p>
<p>PS: Your analysis is very mature. Yale made a good decision.</p>
<p>I know many people who have been in similar situations and they haven’t. </p>
<p>I also know a few people who took full rides over H/Y/MIT and deeply regretted it – and that feeling of having “missed out” seems to build over time.</p>
<p>Yale has given me $35,000, leaving our family contribution at about $11,000!!!</p>
<p>I am ecstatic. Now this is definitely a realistic possiblity for me. That means I’ll contribute about $6,000 a year. Graduating with $24,000 in debt is much more managable than $100,000. (I am worried that our EFC could dramatically change over the next four years. I’m not sure how much my dad’s farming numbers change from year to year)</p>
<p>I am still not absolutely set on Yale, though (oh, I’d feel so bad turning them down after they worked so hard to get me money…). I’m visiting next week and then I’ll know for sure if I belong there or not. </p>
<p>^Good point. Maybe he can set aside the money in an investment account so that you can take a nice world tour at some point after you graduate (or pay for part of graduate school).</p>
<p>from blindkite’s dad’s point of view, a free ride down the road (in Colorado) is always going to come out cheaper than Yale or Williams, but bk is definitely looking at fabulous choices at bargain prices, and, yes, thanks to his persistence! I’m guessing bk’s dad is as proud as can be of this kid.</p>
<p>My dad is a weird guy and has a hard time expressing himself and his pride. He did say that we was excited for me and very suprised and pleased with how everything turned out (okay he didn’t exactly say this, but he implied it). </p>
<p>I am so thankful for his efforts in working with the Yale financial aid office. He still wants me to pay half, though, so I think that’s about $6,000 a year. Maybe a little more with other expenses. I’m not sure if he’ll change his mind about this. My mom thinks they can should pay it all because it’s so much less, but he still wants me to show that I value my education by contributing. </p>
<p>I can’t wait for my visit! And I still cannot believe that it’s all turned out this well. Incredible. I’ll keep you all informed!</p>
<p>Have you been applying for other scholarships? If so, you can use those towards your earnings expectation from a term-time job and summer job, and then go ahead and work. That would reduce even more the amount you would need to borrow.</p>
<p>A word about Dads. I have one like yours. I’m a parent now, and my theory on the stoic old rancher dads is that they are almost afraid that if they say they are proud of you, or praise you, you will stop trying, having finally gotten their approval. Sometime after I turned 30, my dad figured out that I was actually internally motivated, and would work hard whether he noticed or not. That freed him up to say all kinds of positive things. I appreciate it now (better late than never) but wish he would have loosened up a little earlier. Dads like that sometimes feel like they need to keep providing external motivation like withheld praise, or you having a financial stake. I would bet you already work hard for the feeling of satisfaction it gives you, regardless of who’s watching. He probably can’t quite believe you really are as accomplished as you are, and that he needs to keep pushing to keep you on track, which he probably doesn’t. Give him a little time. </p>
<p>Are you sure you don’t want to just wait and come out for Bulldog Days? It sounds like you’ve already sort of made up your mind about the Boettcher…</p>
<p>Yeah, now I kind of wish I would’ve waited to visit during Bulldog days. But I think visiting in the next couple of days will actually be better. I’ll get an accurate perception of the school, without all the jazz they put up for Bulldog days. It will be a much more realistic view of what my next four years could look like.</p>
<p>just a thought about your dad. Sometimes parents are afraid that their child will “outgrow” them. They worry that they (the parents) will seem less sophisticated or educated or at worst irrelevant. The greatest gift you can give your parents is to reassure them that you will always be proud of them.</p>
<p>On a lighter note - hope you have a great time next week. Where are you staying? Here’s hoping for good weather and a wonderful visit.</p>
<p>Congratulations, blindkite. I am pleased for you that you were patient and that you persevered. Yale must feel you hold great promise. From this discussion I believe that Yale’s confidence in you is well placed. Be sure to be decent and fair to your fellow students who may not have obtained their heart’s desire and who may not have any choices that they like. You can and should use your opportunities at Yale to your best advantage. My point is simply that raw intelligence will get you places but it is always character that separates the high achievers at the top of the game! Good luck!</p>