I was lucky enough to have been admitted to my top choice for undergrad education, Cornell. I received some need-based aid, however there is a large difference between what the CSS Profile says my family can pay and what my parents believe they can pay. Therefore, I would be stuck taking out loans-some subsidized and offered through Cornell, others most likely private. I WILL NOT be making more than $70k per year upon graduation due to my major, so my ability to repay loans is definitely a problem. I would be taking out approximately $20,000 in loans each year, something extremely hard to recover from. While my friends and school teachers encourage me to go to Cornell, I don’t think any education is worth taking out these loans. I have been accepted into other great programs for my major at other schools (merit-based), choices that would allow me to graduate debt-free. As much as I would like to attend Cornell, I believe that graduating debt-free (especially because I want to attend grad school), is the best choice for me. Also, that whole “outside scholarships can make up the difference” thing is a bunch of malarkey. I won’t hear back about most scholarships until after May 1, and I don’t think it will be a substantial amount of money (if any). I guess I’m looking for consolation and reassurance that attending a different school is a better choice given my financial situation. Or perhaps if attending Cornell really is worth that much debt. Thoughts?
Outside scholarships will reduce the need-based aid you receive from Cornell (probably starting with federal direct loans and any work-study that was offered).
In general, I agree with you. If you can get what you need without debt, do it. That kind of debt may very well prevent you from going into the lower paying job you really want. If you provide the degree you are seeking and the names of the other schools, you will get a more detailed analysis. There are some fields where school prestige does matter, but not many. but I think your thinking is absolutely correct.
No undergrad degree is worth that kind of debt. Kiss Cornell good-bye, and move on.
You are making a wise decision. No school is a golden ticket to anywhere and you will bloom where you plant yourself! No debt = freedom!
Unless graduating from Cornell would have a SIGNIFICANT effect on getting a job in your major, give yourself the gift of graduating debt free and go to a different school1
I would be studying meteorology. And the other schools are Penn State, University of Oklahoma, and SUNY Albany.
PSU is considered a top school nationally for meteorology.
I wouldn’t advise my child to pay a dime more to Cornell than the other schools on your list. Debt is an albatross, and Cornell isn’t worth it.
“PSU is considered a top school nationally for meteorology”
As is Oklahoma and Cornell. I’m sure that’s why OP picked them.
Yes, it’s too much debt. You are wise to realize that. It’s great you have debt free options!
How much would Penn State and Oklahoma be? They’re your best picks for meteorology.
Are they both affordable?
Did you get into the Honors College at either one?
“I believe that graduating debt-free (especially because I want to attend grad school), is the best choice for me”
I agree completely. I think that your original post shows a great deal of good sense. I agree with other comments that the amount of debt that you would need to take on to attend Cornell is just too much.
Congratulations on some great options for your major!
We were also very disappointed in our experience with Cornell’s Financial Aid office. Ezra Cornell said (according to every presenter we heard) “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any subject”…but they always leave out the part where he said “…IF their parents have a ton of money”. LOL move on. I’m glad you aren’t all torn up about it. It took DD 24 hours of crying to get over it, but she would have been crying every month for a decade, writing out those student loan checks.
Penn State and the University of Oklahoma are both below $40k per year for me to attend (what my family can afford). I was admitted to Oklahoma’s honors college and several other leadership groups and study abroad opportunities. I received nothing at Penn State besides a Provosts Scholarship, after applying for the honors college (which costed $35 itself). Penn State is much closer, but after visiting I honestly felt like a number due to how many people attend the university. I should note that I am also considering UW although it is a bit more costly and across the coast.
Thank you for the reassurance about Cornell! Unless I receive some large scholarships, there’s no realistic way for me to attend CU. I’ve accepted it now, and realize I still have other great options.
My husband has his master’s in meteorology. It doesn’t pay a ton… I can’t imagine making those loan payments. On a meteorology salary! I don’t think Cornell is worth that debt.
@Collegeboundstudent232323 My DD is a current meteorology student at OU and loves it. She’s done a semester abroad in Germany and been involved in lots of research. Let me know if you have any questions.
If you didn’t get into Schreyer then Oklahoma is better.
(However, don’t feel bad: Penn State hardly gives any scholarships whatsoever and getting a Provost scholarships is a big honor).
@3scoutsmom that is so cool! I would love to hear more about your daughter’s research experiences and study abroad experience in Germany. I am guessing she took German? I had the chance to visit OU last month and really liked what I saw.
@MYOS1634 yes, unfortunately I didn’t get into Schreyer. Thank you for informing me of the difficult merit aid, that explains why they weren’t able to offer any more aid when I asked.
I also liked SUNY Albany’s program, they are building a new weather center that will be quite similar to OU’s program.
Yes, her German is pretty good. She did a summer internship through the German government and an exchange program through the Meteorology program at OU. The exchange program included intensive language instruction but for the most part classes were taught in English. She has friends in the Meteorology department that have gone to England and Australia so no language issue there;-)
She’s been doing a lot with flying drones to sample the atmosphere at different elevations, because of this she has here commercial drone polite’s license which I think is pretty cool. She also managed to get a paid summer internship with a company that develops software for meteorologist (something she’s very interested in). She’s also been very active with the various meteorology clubs on campus and even joined a sorority for women scientists. There’s more opportunists than time at OU! OU is also very generous with AP credit which has allowed her to continue with her other interest as well as meteorology.