Hi, I have been accepted to both schools. I know that the University of Michigan is the superior school yet it costs around 55k for OOS students. Today, I got an acceptance letter from UConn with a $10,000 scholarship/year. Thus, because of the scholarship and my in-state status, I will only have to pay around a total of $19,000/year. I haven’t received my financial aid package yet from UM but I don’t expect anything because my parents earns $300k+/year. They said that if I were to go anywhere outside of CT, they will only pay for $30,000 for college. That means I will have to take out around 100k in loans (is that even possible?) and will have to get a campus job while I am in college. So, should I just cross UM off my list? Is it possible to earn some considerable amount of money by working on campus to help pay my tuition for UM?
For 4 years you are looking at $76k for UConn vs. $220k for UMich…that’s too huge price difference not matter what!
I guess going to UM is not worth 144k more than going to UConn? I am afraid that if I go to UConn for engineering, it would be difficult for me to get a job outside of New England/Northeast. It kind of sucks because my parents will only pay full tuition to schools they think are worth paying like HYPMS along with Berkeley and there is no way I am going to be able to get into those schools 
“They said that if I were to go anywhere outside of CT, they will only pay for $30,000 for college.”
Have a good time at UConn.
“It kind of sucks because my parents will only pay full tuition to schools they think are worth paying like HYPMS along with Berkeley and there is no way I am going to be able to get into those schools.”
Sorry to have to say this, but your parents are snobs. Berkeley and Michigan are peers.
@rjkofnovi, Sadly, my parents did not research much about colleges. My parents said that they see Michigan as the same level as Case Western (no disrespect to Case haha). Anyway, I am grateful that they are taking me to Campus Day. Maybe they will realize that Michigan is a very respectable school with amazing academics. Hopefully, I can convince them that paying 50k tuition/year is worth it and then I will just have to be responsible for the remaining 5k/year. Otherwise, engineering at UConn.
@EMPire18 $76k for UConn vs. $220k for UMich is huge! $144k is more than we spent on our first house!
My husband and I love our children immensely. We can afford to send them to pretty much any school, BUT we want our children to understand the value of money. We didn’t get where we are by spending foolishly. Remember, just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should spend it.
Did your parents attend in-state schools? Perhaps they don’t see the value of going out of state for an undergraduate degree. Since you said they would pay if they think there will be a return on their investment, it is up to YOU to convince them. You do the research and then present the facts to them. Since they are taking you to Campus Day, they may not have written UMich off. Good luck!
@88jm19, My parents actually got their degrees from China but that makes what you said even more accurate. I must, as you said, convince them that there will be a “return on their investment”. However, it’s difficult for me to convince them because they value prestige. I have already convinced and proved to them that Michigan is very similar academically to Berkeley along with other elite public schools. What makes it difficult is that they think that HYPMS along with Berkeley and UCLA are significantly prestigious because they are more difficult to get into than Michigan. They are not being snobby. They just don’t understand why they should send me to Michigan, in their eyes a less prestigious school because they came from Asia where HYPMS and the UC’s holds a higher reputation, at least more so than Michigan. Furthermore, we live in the Northeast and my parents do not know any coworkers that are from Michigan. In fact, they only know about Michigan because of me.
I’d be curious to see to remotely sensible rationale that could convince anyone that paying the extra $144k is worth it.
@adkdad I also believe that $144k is too large a difference for an undergraduate degree. However, I do believe that EMPire18 should come to that conclusion on his/her own. Also, I do not presume to know them and their unique situation.
@adkdad, Perhaps it is impossible to convince anyone to pay the extra $144k. That is why I think it’s important for them and for me to go to see the university. I told them so much about Michigan’s level of academics and reputation which is why we are even going to Campus Day. I think once we learn more about Michigan on campus day and actually see/tour the campus, hopefully they may decide whether or not to pay the 50k/year. If not, it’s their money and I am ready to accept the fact that I might attend UConn.
If your parents are willing to fork out the money for Berkeley and UCLA, then they should do the same for Michigan. It is up to you to convince them EMPire18. OOS acceptance to Michigan is probably around 20% or less. Tell them that only one in five students who apply from OOS get accepted and the vast majority of those are full pay.
“They just don’t understand why they should send me to Michigan, in their eyes a less prestigious school because they came from Asia where HYPMS and the UC’s holds a higher reputation, at least more so than Michigan.”
I can only imagine what they will think of your degree from UConn.
“For 4 years you are looking at $76k for UConn vs. $220k for UMich…that’s too huge price difference not matter what!”
…and yet thousands do it from all over the world every year…no matter what!
It really depends on what $144k means to one’s family. To some families, that amount represents an insignificant sum and a university’s brand name is considered a worthwhile investment. Of course, what constitutes a brand name varies from household to household, and from community to community.
EMPire, I am glad to hear that you are going to visit Michigan with your parents. I think once you visit the Michigan campus, it becomes clear how good the University really is.
“…and yet thousands do it from all over the world every year…no matter what!”
But novi, you are talking about the very wealthy. Most people cannot afford it, and many that can, do not think it is worth paying that kind of money for a better education, stronger professional and graduate school placement, more recognized brand name and more influential social network.
Michigan was just ranked the number one public school in America in this article . Not that I really trust all these rankings, but it might be an interesting article for your parents to read.
@rjkofnovi, They will only pay full for schools they think are “elite”. They are really not interested in schools that do not match the name of HYPMS and the top UC schools. My parents even told me that they are able to pay for Michigan, but they are not yet convinced it’s worth going to.
@Alexandre, Yes, I believe that seeing/touring the university may change my parents’ view of it. I even scheduled a general engineering tour along with a private learning community (MRC) tour. Hopefully, my parents will see the strengths of Michigan’s engineering programs and undergraduate research opportunities.
@desie1, I saw this and actually showed them this. However, my parents generally don’t care about any ranking system and neither do I. They quote-unquote “don’t need anyone telling them which schools are good” haha. Yet they were impressed with Michigan’s standing in the global rankings which is part of the reason why they are interested enough to take me to Campus Day.
Your parents obviously have very good taste. 
Which engineering discipline are you going into?
For most engineering disciplines, the opportunities graduating from Michigan, Berkeley*, and even UConn will likely be the same.
*Top graduate from Berkeley EECS being an exception.
@UCBChemEGrad, Well, I put down MechE as my intended major. However, I am also interested in Aerospace Engineering.
Michigan is ranked #2, only behind MIT
Michigan is ranked #3, only behing MIT and Stanford
I honestly cannot understand why your parents would be ok with full pay for UCLA. Engineering is not a top strength for the school.