anyone a pro with scholarship stuff?

[HeatherC]

Bluestar...totally agree...there are pros and cons to both.

My DD graduates this year and has decided she wants to go into teaching.
she was accepted everywhere she applied with merit aid at two schools...one a state University (neighboring state so out of state tuition) and one a Private College.

We have been comparing the numbers and haved found...two schools with merit aid will cost 32,000 a year. Our State schools will average 23,000 a year. Local State University with a great Education program to commute would cost $8000 a year.

In her words, it is a no brainier...she thinks she wants to commute. Her reasons are...no loans...wants to travel and will have the money to do that....thinks her and a friend would like to get an apt. In a year or so.(which will probably change , along with the fact that she has absolutely no desire to live in a dorm. She is the type of kid that is VERY motivated and mature for her age.

DH and I have told her not to discount living away for what the extra 13,000 a year would be at another state school. She would have to do some loans because we also have other kids behind her to pay for, but we would help her as much as possible.

Her exact words were...."the goal is to get the degree and teaching certificate right? So if I can get that with no debt and can then start the rest of my life on a good financial footing, how is living in a dorm for a year or two going to make a huge difference?" " It's not like I can't get along with other people or balance a checkbook or do my own cooking and laundry by now anyway, right?" "And let's face it...teachers don't make a heck of a lot anyway so why would I want to start that with loans?"

DH and I laughed and realized she really isn't the type of kid who needs to go away to grow up. She is more mature at 18 than half the adults we know.. Final decision hasn't been made, but we know what she is leaning towards.

So I truly believe it depends on the kid. Her brother already knows he wants to go away....which will be great for him. I also think money really should play a deciding factor to some extent considering the student loan crisis our country has.

Every family has to make their own decisions and I think every kid is different. What works for one doesn't always work for all.

 

[Happy Snowman]

That's great that she wants to save money, but, when it comes to applying for jobs and such, campus involvement, leadership, etc. are going to be something she needs and it's just not easy to do as a commuter... I would just make sure she talks to kids that are freshmen/sophomores that commute to that school now and see what they have to say.

Also, just make sure she understands that commuting costs aren't limited to just tuition. Parking alone can be $100's of dollars each month depending on the school....gas, car expenses, etc...and lost time--not sure how far away you are though.

 

[luvsJack]

What does Ludacris have to do with any of this? Sorry, that just

sorry shouldn't try to spell and watch law and order at the same time!! He's a pretty good actor though!!

 

[Happy Snowman]

Its not that the work is easier. Its the difference in less than 30 students in the classroom and over 100 in the class and the instructor being able to give one on one time to a struggling student. If the class wasn't the same it wouldn't transfer.

Keep thinking that.... even on campus, professor to professor classes are not the same. The kids know which prof is easy and which is hard and if the school is suggesting that they take a class at a CC, they know it's easier, but they have articulation agreements and HAVE to take the class (state schools), that doesn't make it the same. It can also backfire if it's a required course for their major and want to move on to grad, medical, law school, etc. though too....

 

[HeatherC]

HappySnowman... She already does other volunteer stuff as well as works. She also will be working in an early childhood center starting this June. So I think she will be fine getting a job. To a kids HAS to go away to get a leadership skills, etc. is ridiculous. Yes...I do know you didn't say that.. But most of your posts certainly imply it.

 

[Happy Snowman]

HappySnowman... She already does other volunteer stuff as well as works. She also will be working in an early childhood center starting this June. So I think she will be fine getting a job. To a kids HAS to go away to get a leadership skills, etc. is ridiculous. Yes...I do know you didn't say that.. But most of your posts certainly imply it.

It's a competitive field...and yes, going away does make a difference...but, until you live through it, I guess you won't understand the importance...

 

[mjkacmom]

These two statements contradict each other, BTW. If a student is struggling to pass a course at a university, and then takes an easier version of it at the community college (in order to pass it), then Eng Comp is not Eng Comp, and the universities know that.

Dd18 is taking calculus at CC this summer, because it's easier. I don't mind, because it's cheaper, and it will transfer.

 

[okeydokey]

HappySnowman... She already does other volunteer stuff as well as works. She also will be working in an early childhood center starting this June. So I think she will be fine getting a job. To a kids HAS to go away to get a leadership skills, etc. is ridiculous. Yes...I do know you didn't say that.. But most of your posts certainly imply it.

Your daughter sounds like she has it all together. I don't think she has ruined her future by not living on campus, no matter how compulsive some folks feel about being "right".! LOL.

 

[SC Minnie]

The thing is, not every college student plans on going to an Ivy league or super duper prestigious private school. There are plenty of state school where you can get a very good education.

 

[Happy Snowman]

The thing is, not every college student plans on going to an Ivy league or super duper prestigious private school. There are plenty of state school were you can get a very good education.

Where did anyone say otherwise?

 

[okeydokey]

The thing is, not every college student plans on going to an Ivy league or super duper prestigious private school. There are plenty of state school were you can get a very good education.

Absolutely. Remember the DIS is not an accurate representation of the general population. College conversations here involve way more talk of Ivy League schools than typical.

I have a friend who has a son that is a Freshmen this year at a Large State University. His parents asked my advise because of my work experience in higher ed advising. He got a 33 on the ACT and was thinking of an engineering curriculum, or perhaps math or business. When the school guidance counselor saw that 33, she advised him to take the SAT and apply to Harvard. The problem was, my friend's son had no interest in attending Harvard. I know this kid. He wants to live on a campus with a big football program. He wants to attend games with his girlfriend and friends and immerse himself in life at a large University.

I told my friend that I thought her son would do well no matter where he went and he should pick a school that matched his personality as well as his academic leanings.

 

[JanaDee]

HappySnowman... She already does other volunteer stuff as well as works. She also will be working in an early childhood center starting this June. So I think she will be fine getting a job. To a kids HAS to go away to get a leadership skills, etc. is ridiculous. Yes...I do know you didn't say that.. But most of your posts certainly imply it.

Your daughter will have no problem getting a job and sounds like she has a great head on her shoulders. Lucky you. Ignore the posters that think they know everything about everything.

I doubt places will even ask about her campus involvement or "leadership" (whatever that means). I know DH interviews kids right out of college and couldn't care less about that kind of stuff.

 

[Sanchez]

Why doesn't anyone provide names of colleges and universities their children are attending or applying to? Context certainly matters in these discussions.

 

[jfranklyn]

Your daughter will have no problem getting a job and sounds like she has a great head on her shoulders. Lucky you. Ignore the posters that think they know everything about everything.

I doubt places will even ask about her campus involvement or "leadership" (whatever that means). I know DH interviews kids right out of college and couldn't care less about that kind of stuff.

I totally agree! Your daughter sounds awesome!! I can't imagine ANY school, when interviewing for a teacher, caring in the LEAST about whether the applicant lived on campus or not. All they want is a good teacher! Kudos to your daughter for knowing what she wants, and what she needs to do to get it. We need more kids like that!

 

[maleficent32]

HappySnowman... She already does other volunteer stuff as well as works. She also will be working in an early childhood center starting this June. So I think she will be fine getting a job. To a kids HAS to go away to get a leadership skills, etc. is ridiculous. Yes...I do know you didn't say that.. But most of your posts certainly imply it.

Your dd is going fine and on a great path to a great future.
Now, if she as like my dd, doing DE and going to the local CC, then transferring to a 4 year University, she'd be screwed according to some

 

[Happy Snowman]

Your dd is going fine and on a great path to a great future.
Now, if she as like my dd, doing DE and going to the local CC, then transferring to a 4 year University, she'd be screwed according to some

Time will tell....

 

[Sadie22]

Why doesn't anyone provide names of colleges and universities their children are attending or applying to? Context certainly matters in these discussions.

Privacy concerns might be a concern, but one student's experience may be completely different than another's at the same institution. Different major departments are completely different at the same institution. So be careful about comparing with the experiences of others.

This is a good site to include in a college search.

http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/list

 

[maleficent32]

Time will tell....

I'm sure you'll still be here giving your expertise when we do see

 

[okeydokey]

I'm sure you'll still be here giving your expertise when we do see

Please be sure to come back and tell us what a miserable failure your child is because they didn't head the expert advise given on this message board You can get some well placed I Told You Sos!

This thread is too funny. I just love the rabid, superior attitudes.

 

[JanaDee]

Time will tell....

You know, I admit I can be a know-it-all and have consciously been making an effort to reign it in. I recognize it isn't a positive personality trait and I need to knock it off. Your obsessive compulsion to be right about EVERYTHING is quite annoying.