Still stuck at the crossroads - what should I do?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I need some serious advice. (and yeah, now is a bit late to still be considering all my options, but I guess I’m indecisive.) The issue of what I want to do with my life for the next 4 (or 5) years has been getting in the way of school for a while, and I’m still stuck deciding right now instead of studying for my AP tests this week.</p>

<p>I was waitlisted at my first choice school, Rice, and rejected at all my other top choices but Emory, where I’d have to pay the full-on price with the only financial aid being work-study and loans. Needless to say, Emory is out of the picture. Besides Rice’s waitlist, my college choice has been narrowed down to UCLA or Drexel - two very different schools that sit at the top of the list for very different reasons (“fit”, money, opportunities, programs) - for the comparison between them, please check here ( I would copy-paste the comparison here but it’s far too long.): [UCLA</a>… or Drexel?](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-los-angeles/917996-ucla-drexel.html]UCLA”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-los-angeles/917996-ucla-drexel.html)</p>

<p>To sum up the comparison though, I’ve visited both. Of the two, UCLA is the one that “feels” right, is diverse, and has an abundance of great people, professors, research internships (not to mention the better weather). Drexel on the other hand has its co-op job-internship program, and a significant merit scholarship on it’s side. If I were to attend UCLA, I would be paying full price (no financial aid) - the four year total would be about 100k. If I were to attend Drexel under a five-year program, I would be paying full price minus my scholarship, minus my salary from co-op - an estimated net total of 50k for five years. (that’s 230k - 28k/yr (scholarship) - 14k-x-3-years (co-op))</p>

<p>The question is, which is the better decision in the long run? As someone who plans on going to medical school after college, should I choose the cheaper school for the sake of avoiding taking on a huge(r) debt? For the advantage of being at the top of the class at Drexel, for a possibly higher GPA? (all things medical school admissions tend to focus on) Or should I just go with the school I like better? I’m really stuck here, because though the choice has been left to me, my parents definitely favor Drexel, and if I do end up at UCLA, I wouldn’t want to be left with the guilt of knowing I could be accomplishing the same things (or more) for half the price elsewhere.</p>

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<p>Then, comes another question. I’m seriously considering taking a gap year. UCLA is by no means my top choice and if money were no issue, I’d have picked Emory. My chances at Rice’s waitlist are beginning to look really slim, and I’m really just wishing I could do everything all over again. I’m also feeling pretty burnt out from school and taking a gap year would let me do things I’ve always wanted to do without being tied down to school and work. If I were to take a gap year, I would probably find some medical internships nearby, travel, do some service abroad, and probably continue on with some sports I play. I figure I would work on/enroll in some class to raise my ACT scores over the summer and aim to perfect my essays, then apply to Rice ED, and maybe some combined BS/MD programs + my other top choices if that need be done. </p>

<p>The reasoning in going for a gap year rather than transferring is that the potential for merit aid and financial aid is greater, along with the chances of being accepted (especially with applying ED). Taking a break now would also mean a fresh(er) start in college and probably even a new perspective. Age wouldn’t be a problem, as I’m 1-2 years younger than everyone in my senior class. The gap year is really more a question of if this would be a wise/practical decision.</p>

<p>Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated! I need to pick a path to stick with so that contemplating all the possibilities stops consuming all my time!</p>

2

<p>I will say that I know a lot of kids who have gone to Drexel (it is local) and have absolutely hated it and have transferred to Temple. They seem to overhype their co-op program and make it seem to be the best thing since the wheel (yes, even better than sliced bread). Drexel is in a horrible and dangerous part of the city, and students there seem to be at the end of some local jokes. On the other hand, I have know a few kids that have gone there and liked it (nobody has totally been in love with it). If you are ready for nasty creepy basement parties Drexel is your place. This is just MY opinion though, and I know I will face many attacks for it. The decision is all up to what you felt at both schools, and your finances. Do not be afraid to take a gap year either. Best of luck in making your decision.</p>

3

<p>100K in debt for your undergraduate education strikes me as way, way too much if you’re planning to pile med school debt on top of it.</p>

<p>If you’re not crazy about Drexel, a gap year might be a good idea, but do it for a positive reason, because you have a solid plan, not just as an avoidance move. Maybe you could deposit at Drexel, stay on the waitlist at Rice, and meanwhile start making plans for something interesting and worthwhile to do next year. Then if those plans seem to be working out, you could defer at Drexel and/or reapply elsewhere next year. But if they don’t, you still have the option of starting at Drexel in the fall. The only thing you have to lose this way is the deposit.</p>

<p>Also, Rice might come through after all. It received an unusually large number of applications this year, and such schools are, I suspect, going to have to go deep into their waitlists because the increase is not caused by an absolutely larger number of high school seniors, but is the product of students applying to more schools. The tippy-top students who get in everywhere can only attend one school each, and their decisions will shortly produce a cascade effect for the waitlists at the other schools that admitted them. On the other hand the financial aid situation at Rice may be no better than it was at Emory.</p>

4

<p>I don’t know your stats or what state you live in, but it looks like $$ is really an issue for you. IMO you should take the gap year, improve SAT/ACT scores if possible, and really search out the scholarships, possibly at lower-ranked schools. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Understand that if you didn’t get need-based financial aid from Emory, you’re not going to get any from Rice. And if Rice waitlisted you this year, the chances of receiving substantial merit-based aid from them is pretty slim. It’s probably most prudent to set aside your dreams of such schools, because they are fiscal high reaches.</p>

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<p>The co-op program is indeed extremely overhyped. Any school worth a damn will have you doing internships and work experience anyway. The students at Drexel are no better prepared than those at any other school. UCLA is a significantly better school in every way and is definitely worth the money. This is a no brainer.</p>

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<p>I would take the gap year.</p>

8

<p>Oh wow, somebody FINALLY agrees with me. Both Drexel and NU both try and act like you can only do co-ops there, but that is not at all true, you can do a co-op with most schools they just don’t require it, but instead of receiving a co-op diploma when you get a co-op certificate at these other schools, it is pretty much the same thing. I vote UCLA as well.</p>

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<p>It sounds like you don’t really want to go to Drexel, and can’t afford UCLA. If that’s the case, do the gap year. You’ll be able to earn a little more cash, maybe travel, and, hopefully, reapply during a less competitive year. Since you are on the young side, it also may make a big difference in how much you enjoy college life.</p>

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<p>…I’m gonna try to reply to everyone. haha.</p>

<p>Thanks for that bit clfdwlr, diontechristmas. I kind of got the impression Drexel overhyped themselves when I visited (especially with how they handled their admit days, rofl). </p>

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Not necessarily 100k in debt, but 100k in cost. I do actually plan on coming up with some solid plans for the year, but for now, I’m scouting out some good internships.</p>

<p>

Thanks! If my stats matter: GPA: 4.55 W / 4.00 UW, fourth in class, 30 ACT (lol, I got a 35/33 in eng/math but reading/science really, really dragged me down) and I’m from California. Hate those test scores though - I probably would’ve applied to BS/MD programs if I had the scores for them. (Well, and if I knew their deadlines were so early. My school’s counselors seriously know nothing past the UC application process…)</p>

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True, hence applying ED, since I’m a lot more sure now at the end of everything where I’d like to be than when I started out with all this… I guess that’s faulty planning on my part. Speaking with their financial aid counselor though, Rice seems better about providing -some- need-based aid than Emory’s been.</p>

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Good point there. I’ll remember that one when I put the proposal by my parents, haha.</p>

<p>Keep 'em coming guys!</p>

11

<p>I think that counting on $14K x 3 for coop money is over-optimistic. My S applied to both Drexel and NU, and they were kind of evasive about their placement rates in this down economy. Plus you are paying living expenses, etc out of the money you earn.</p>

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<p>I agree that if Emory gave no aid, Rice will also not if you’re taken off the WL. I think many kids have a false impression things will get better with a gap year, but unless you do something truly notable, they probably won’t. I also believe aid policies are getting less generous each year</p>

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<p>I agree with martina99, don’t count on the coop money. It may not happen, the salary might not match your expectations, you have to move and set up a place to live etc. with that salary. </p>

<p>Really when you think about it, the co-op uses up a year. Well, you could think of graduating in 4 years from UCLA and working full time your 5th year! You are as likely to earn at least $14k*3 in your first year on the job if you could get that in a coop. </p>

<p>So the real differential is not that much as I see it.</p>

14

<p>Rice has met our full financial need for the last 6 years (2 different kids) and always at the amount of our FAFSA EFC (even though they are a profile school). We have been surprised at how affordable that makes them - and we have a healthy income. Xfort - you might be eligible for needbased aid at Rice, even if not at Emory. I would have my guidance counselor call and let Rice know that you will attend if taken off the waitlist (that is, if your EFC seems reasonable and your parents are okay with that.) And if not, how much will they contribute towards UCLA? And can you defer UCLA a year and take a gap year? Lots of questions…</p>

15

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<p>I guess if that’s the case then I probably shouldn’t bother. Drexel without co-op is basically the same price as UCLA. If your co-op’s nearby, can’t you live on campus though, or something? I didn’t really think of the whole living-on-your-own, find-you-own-way to set up your life part of co-op. I don’t think I’d be ready for that that early on, but who knows. >.>;</p>

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Rough calculations by a financial aid counselor from a visit to Rice imply that I could qualify for some need-based aid at Rice. I’m just playing the waiting game here and I’m not liking my chances. I don’t see how my counselor calling in would help with the waitlist process, but I sent in a letter of interest when decisions came out.</p>

<p>As for UCLA, I really have no idea of the exact figures of how much they would actually pay. It’s their intention to pay for as much as they see fit and take out loans on the remainder though. I don’t think they plan on having me take out loans, but I know in the long run I’ll help them out with how much it’s going to cost. It’s really that every time colleges come up in discussion, money becomes the topic, and the discussion dies unresolved. It’s the reason I was still undecided here. And no, if I were to take a gap year, I can’t defer UCLA. Deferring admission there is apparently “rare” but is considered on a case-by-case basis.</p>

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<p>I think you ought to sit down with your parents and determine how much they will be willing to pay. UCLA’s gross cost of $100K is still only $25K a year – and a big difference if your folks are going to pay for $18K of it each year. I am having a hard time believing that Rice is going to come in at a much lower family contribution even if you do get financial aid. </p>

<p>I’d hate to see you wait a year in hopes of Rice or Emory only to learn that the great financial aid package they put together still requires you to come up with $27K a year – certainly a big discount from their full price, but still more than you would expect to pay at UCLA.</p>

17

<p>If you don’t actually need to borrow the 100K to go to UCLA, but can pay for a chunk of it with available funds (I gather you’re instate?) then that seems the way to go. It’s a superb school, certainly much better than Drexel.</p>

18

<p>It’s May 3rd. If you didn’t commit on May 1 isn’t UCLA off the table?</p>

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<p>Well, I’ve SIRed to UCLA, and Drexel’s offer really doesn’t seem as attractive as it did anymore, so I guess that one’s off the table.</p>

<p>But what about going for the gap year vs. attending UCLA? I really want to do everything over, and if I wanted to take a break later on I don’t think I’d have as much freedom as I do right now to really create my own adventure.</p>

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<p>^^i don’t want to be the eternal pessimist; however, what happens if you do take a gap year as a means of “doing it all over” and it doesn’t work out? What if Rice rejects or waitlists you? What if your F/A pkg is no better than now? Wouldn’t you be in the same boat as you’re currently in? Would the risk be worth it? IDK…it just seems a bit of a gamble to me. I’m really not familiar, though, with gap year stats. What are the #s for students who have done this? Is it published anywhere? Again, only you can decide if it’s worth the risk.</p>