<p>My daughter would really like to attend NYU – she wants to major in Linguistics and they truly have a top-notch program there – but the financials are looking really ugly. She got a $16K CAS scholarship but that amount is mainly based on the fact that we’re currently paying my son’s sky-high college tuition – when he graduates in 2 years, we’ll probably get no financial aid at all or maybe $5K a year or something like that!! The way college costs are rising these days, NYU’s tuition & board will probably be $65K+ during her last two years!! Yikes!!! </p>
<p>Several other schools, which cost a bit less to begin with, gave her a bit more money. Compunding my unease about “taking the leap” and paying-up for NYU was my experience at the Financial Aid Office when we went to the CAS Admitted Student Day. The young woman I spoke with could not have been more cold! If this is how they treat potential students, how do they treat people who are already “on the hook”? Scary!!! </p>
<p>With a major in Linguistics, it’s not like my daughter is going to be making $100K after she graduates. She’ll probably need or want to get a Master’s degree but our funds will be totally exhausted by then. I wish NYU would spread the merit money around a bit more, like to the top 15% of applicants instead of the top 5%. I was hoping she’d be considered for a small “pure merit” grant but she got zip (she did get 800’s on both the Verbal and Writing SAT sections but only a 670 on the Math so that probably killed it right there). I called the Admissions Office and asked if there was a “waiting list” for the “pure” merit scholarship money (assuming some of the truly exceptional people turned the offers down since they get great offers from numerous schools) but the woman practically laughed at me for asking. Even if I knew she was guaranteed like $7-8K in merit money per year for her last 2 years it would make a difference but it’s all up in the air. </p>
<p>I’m glad I’m writing this as it is clarifying my thinking. Daughter will be seriously bummed but I don’t think NYU is going to be a feasible option. Wow, this is depressing. I would like her to go there as much as she would like to but the financial obligation is TRULY TERRIFYING and there are so many uncertanties. Depressing, depressing, depressing, depressing.</p>