Sophomore transfer student deciding where to go [English; BU $67-86k, Clark $55k, UMass Amherst $28k; parent contribution $40-50k]

Compare College Acceptances
1

Hi, let me know if you need more info!

Net price per year at each college, after applying scholarships and financial aid grants.

Boston University - Almost full tuition + housing = $86k, full tuition + commuting = $67k a year
Clark University - Almost full tuition + housing - $15k scholarship = $55k a year
UMass Amherst - Almost full tuition + housing = $28k a year

Maximum parent contribution per year.

$40-50k a year

Major/division admitted to at each college, if applicable to the college. Also, any special programs like honors programs or combined degree programs (e.g. BA/BS->MD).

English, Clark has tuition free 4+1 year if you get requirements

If you applied to regular fall term start, specify if you were admitted to start at a different campus, in study abroad, in an online/distance or extension program, or other than in the fall term.

BU: CGS Program

Desired major and post graduation goals (including if pre-med, pre-law, etc.).

English, continue in a masters.

If not a frosh admit finishing high school, indicate status (e.g. sophomore level transfer, junior level transfer, frosh after gap year(s)).

Sophomore level transfer

International or domestic student (and state of residency if domestic).

Domestic, MA

Student preferences beyond the above (including weather, class sizes, campus culture, college demographics, fraternities/sororities, distance from home, etc.).

Small-medium school, easy to integrate transfer-wise, diverse, laidback and friendly campus culture, 2 hours or less from home, LGBTQ+ friendly

Preliminary assessment of each college based on the above.

BU: Very large, easier to integrate transfer-wise, diverse, not sure about the campus culture, is an hour from home, LGBTQ+ friendly
Clark: Very small, not as easy to integrate transfer-wise, less diverse, felt welcomed at campus on tour, is 40 minutes from home, LGBTQ+ friendly
UMass Amherst: Very large, easier to integrate transfer-wise, not sure on diversity, not sure about campus culture, is an hour and 30 minutes from home, LGBTQ+ friendly

Why did you apply to each college you are considering?

I applied to BU not really expecting to get in, but I wound up getting in. It is by far the most expensive one on the list, the only one I would really consider commuting to in order to cut the cost. BU’s prestige is obviously one of the heavier weighing factors here, but I find the cost unfathomable, but I do like it overall despite that.

I applied to Clark because I found it a more achievable target, despite not really knowing if I’d make the cut. I got in with a $15k a year scholarship, maybe would consider commuting too but not sure. I like the size of the school but I am not sure how easy it would be to transfer socially considering how small it is.

I applied to UMass because it is my state flagship and by far the cheapest option on here, but it is very large. This would by far be the most logical financial choice but I really prefer a school of Clark’s size.

I will be applying to outside scholarships + working part time to help my parents, as I do not wish to put all the burden on them as I am incredibly grateful that they are even paying so much (at all) for my college.

2

U.Mass Amherst is a very good university. I have worked with many, many U.Mass graduates and they are in general very good. The best U.Mass graduates who I have worked with have some very impressive accomplishments, and many are also people I like a lot as friends.

Also, as a potential English major, I think that you would be best off to avoid debt if you can reasonably do so.

Given your financial constraints, I think that Clark would be a stretch and BU would just be too expensive.

However, I think that U.Mass is a very good choice.

4 Likes
3

I honestly was thinking exactly that. For an English major, it’s a hard world out there, so if I really wanted to go to BU, I would have to have a major that has a good ROI. But BU is just outrageously expensive. I only really put it here because it’s the best school I got into but it’s just something I’d have to heavily consider the debt.

UMass is definitely very good value and has a strong reputation. I am heavily leaning towards that but I did like Clark a lot, but like you said it does feel like a stretch. UMass and Clark are polar opposites in their size, large and small, which both come with their upsides and downsides. Clark more so there wouldn’t be many transfers, so I’d spend my time trying to fit into already formed friend groups. UMass has many transfers, and a transfer residence program, but I just am overwhelmed by the size as I am coming from a small state school in MA.

1 Like
4

With respect to the study of English literature, I don’t associate BU with surpassing prestige.

In contrast, I would make this association with some of the consortium schools available to you if you were to attend UMass.

6 Likes
5

So your parents will pay at most $50K.

And you have one school that’s in budget.

And we are talking about an English degree?

There’s only one choice - and lucky for you, it’s a fine choice.

Frankly, given the degree, I don’t believe the where matters.

Don’t bankrupt your family or yourself with loans - for an English degree.

Take the affordable option.

4 Likes
6

So BU is too expensive, Clark is at the edge of the budget with no room for unexpected financial surprises, and UMass is easily within budget. Seems like the choice between these three is UMass.

7

UMass has an agreement with superb LACs. Make sure you take 1 English course (or associated: anything in the Humanities& some interdisciplnary Social sciences such as literature in translation, writing, American studies, gender/Women’s studies, history, film/media…) per semester at Amherst College or Smith (or Mount Holyoke but it may be a bit too far away). :+1::muscle:This way you’ll have the small college with intense seminar experience… at a price you can afford.

6 Likes
8

Piling on: UMass

You could take some English and other Hum and SS courses at Amherst, Smith, Holyoke, Hampshire – LACs are typically thought to be very strong in those. That would give you a nice hybrid LAC/U education… if you’re into that possibility.

2 Likes