So I love Dartmouth . . .

college316
Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:50:05 +0000

I was in the EXACT same situation. My parents had enough to not qualify for need-based aid at all, and I have two younger sisters who both need parental help with affording college.

At the beginning of the process, my parents sat me down and laid out the finances. They said that I could apply to Dartmouth if I wanted to (since that’s where I always wanted to go) but that they would pay x dollars regardless of where I went to school. If I chose to go to Dartmouth, I’d have to pay the difference between tuition and x. So, they made it my choice whether I thought the education was worth it.

I also applied to Rice and got an amazing merit-based scholarship there. Between that and my parents paying the x dollars, I have enough money saved up.

I was accepted to Dartmouth and literally cried in the shower for an hour after I got the online acceptance because I knew I’d have to turn down my dream school. I agonized over the decision for days but in my heart I knew my family just couldn’t afford to spend so much for just my college experience, when my siblings would be left with nothing.

So, my suggestions are:

1. Don’t get too attached to any one school. I know there are tons of stories of people falling in love with schools but honestly–if finances are this much of a consideration, you can’t afford to narrow your options (no pun intended).

2. apply for merit-based aid at schools like Emory, Rice, Vandy, Tulane, etc. At some schools there’s a separate application and at other schools you automatically get considered.

3. consider this: you might have to make a choice based on money. Is that fair? Not always. Is it fair that the kid next door gets to go wherever he wants and you don’t? Of course not. But everything happens for a reason. People change in just a few months. Five months ago I couldn’t envision myself anywhere but Dartmouth. Now I know that Rice is the school for me. I’m leaving for Houston in less than a week and couldn’t be happier with my choice. If I hadn’t taken a chance and applied for financial aid at Rice I never would’ve gotten the opportunity to fall in love with the school.

4. also consider this: I know personally that if I’d gone to Dartmouth, I’d feel guilty the ENTIRE time about the financial burden. Like if I got a C on a test I’d think I was wasting $$, if I wasn’t having a good experience or making friends right away I was wasting $$, etc. This kind of stress is not something that would make your experience the best possible one.

So in a nutshell–apply to a variety of schools and keep your options open (no early decision!) Then, once you see what happens and where you get in, you make a choice based on the information and resources you have at the time.