<p>A close friend is in a really tough situation and I was just wondering what any of you thought. He got offered a 10K/yr scholarship at a school he hates and really doesn’t want to go to, but if he ends up going to the school that he’s had his heart set on (that comes with next to nothing in terms of aid), it will cause a whole slew of new problems/guilt with his family. It’s a lose-lose situation, so what would you do? Is it worth the sacrifice to go to your dream school?</p>
<p>Why does he hate School A? Is it because of location, or what? Has he visited?</p>
<p>His opinion may change when he goes.</p>
<p>What is the precise monetary difference between the two schools? If it’s really only 10k a year, that isn’t worth attending a school you hate.</p>
<p>Why would he apply to a school he hates? This is why it’s important to have a safety school you like.</p>
<p>What sort of problems would it cause with his family? If it’s just parental guilt trips because it’s more expensive (but still doable) that’s one thing, but if it’ll significantly hurt his family’s resources (or the ability of his parents to retire or his younger siblings to attend schools) then it’s an entirely different matter.</p>
<p>What schools are we talking about? and What are the finances in detail. By the way, tell your friend welcome to adulthood</p>
<p>What are the schools?
Why would he apply to a school that he hated?
Has he considered working or taking out loans to go to the school that he loves?</p>
<p>Why would he apply if he hated it? Well, he had to. And it wasn’t so bad until he visited and figured out that he really couldn’t live there for four years. But by then it was too late. And yes, NSM, he will in fact be forced to take out loans and pay them off himself, in addition to the burden of putting himself through Med school afterwards. Plus he has to deal with his parents telling him that he’s a horrible son. The specific schools are not important, nor are the specifics of the financial differences (you know all I know on that front anyway). I was more asking your opinions on the general case/what you would do in his situation. So once again, is it worth it?</p>
<p>The financial things are important.</p>
<p>Two situations:
Hated school: 30K a year with scholarship
Dream: 40K a year</p>
<p>In that case, I’d go to the dream school.</p>
<p>Hated school: 15K a year with scholarship
Dream: 50K a year</p>
<p>Then I’d suck it up and go to the ‘hated school.’ Or go to the ‘hated school’ for one year and then attempt a transfer to a school that he both likes to a certain extent AND can pay for.</p>
<p>Probably the parents shouldn’t have let him apply to a school that they can’t pay for. Remember kids that are reading this: Make sure your parents know up front what they’re going to have to pay (do the EFC calculators) at each school, so they won’t forbid you from going somewhere after you love it and have been accepted.</p>
<p>this happened to me!</p>
<p>villanova gave me nothing
northeastern gave me 15k a year</p>
<p>happily going to northeastern :)</p>
<p>I agree with brillar.</p>
<p>The amount of financial aid difference is a huge deal (depending on the family). </p>
<p>Example:
One of my choices: U. of Alaska Anchorage
Pricetag: Free everything + new car, i’d practically be loaded if I stayed.
Downside: I hate this forsaken place. I’ve lived here all my life and I can’t tolerate it any longer. 1/2 of my schoolmates are going there (bad). Non-traditional Commuter campus. Little to no community feel. No football team. Plus, the university doesn’t have the majors/specialties I like etc. etc.</p>
<p>Other choice: MSU
Pricetag: 20K.
Downside: I will be broke as heck. But I will be out of AK!</p>
<p>Is MSU worth it for me? Of course (at least, this is what I say now, before I am broke). I’d much rather leave than stay. </p>
<p>Now, if my only other choice was (instead of MSU): George Washington U
Pricetag: 40K.
Is it worth it? Noo. I would end up staying home in the dreaded place I despise. This sort of debt would not be worth it at all.</p>
<p>^whoa, maybe i can go to Alaska for school =D</p>