<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>My son is a junior at a competitive high school, where he has done reasonably well (3.5, many activities). He’s done very well on the SAT (650/720/660). We’re just now starting to tour colleges. He’s my oldest, so this is all new to me (at least since I went to school myself!).</p>
<p>Cost is definitely going to be an issue for us although we are highly unlikely to qualify for any need-based aid.</p>
<p>In choosing colleges to visit, however, we have not given any thought to cost–only whether they might fit my son’s academic profile and interests.</p>
<p>Is this the best strategy, or should I be limiting his visits to the public universities we are sure to be able to afford?</p>
<p>Thanks for any help or insight.</p>
<p>There is always a chance of getting a scholarship to a private university, so I wouldn’t limit your touring options because of finances.</p>
<p>Take a close look at the financial aid and scholarships part of the web sites of colleges that may fit your son. Also use a financial aid estimator such as the one linked from CC’s home page, and pay the $15 to access US News premium on-line web site, which provides detailed financial aid (and other) info for most of the colleges in the U.S.</p>
<p>If a college is a longshot for your S obtaining the aid he needs, then don’t bother to take him to see it. Why risk having a student fall in love with a college that you’re unlikely to afford? Better to not have such a college on his list at all. </p>
<p>Also, help him build his list from the bottom up by having him see first schools where he’s likely to gain admission as well as whatever aid he needs.</p>
<p>I agree with NSM. Also, I spoke with my son about not falling in love with any one school. I told him to only apply to schools where he feels he could be happy, and make it work for him. He did that. We waited for all financial offers to be on the table in April, before our son decided where he was going. He had 10 acceptances, but 5 we felt were not workable for our family. We let our son pick from 5 of his acceptances (and those were not all the same cost to us, btw). He was happy to pick from the 5 schools. In fact it took him a bit of time to pick between his 2 top choices. </p>
<p>Make sure that you find a financial safety. Perhaps that will be your instate public university, I don’t know.</p>
<p>Agree with the other comments. Consider a variety of schools, but have a frank discussion with your son about what you and he can and cannot afford. Encourage him to research and pursue scholarship awards and discourage loans as a means of paying. (A little spreadsheet time showing what it costs to pay off college loans vs, say, a 1st car or apartment after graduation, may be instructive.) A friend’s D attends a pricey liberal arts school on a merit-based full-ride, so it is possible. </p>
<p>Depending on his planned field of study, graduate or professional school may be likely. (Although in some fields, employers will pay some or all of an evening program that will be just as useful as a full-time program.) In that case, the grad degree becomes more important and an affordable public school or smaller, less-well known but good college that wants to attract someone like your son may be a better deal than an expensive “name brand”.</p>
<p>Another idea is ROTC scholarships once they’re in school. I know a few older children of friends pursuing this option. </p>
<p>Many states have excellent public colleges and universities. They are good candidates for an admission/financial safetym as ne-mom suggests.</p>