Stay in state flagship or go to pretty well ranked OOS SLAC?

[Anonymous]

UT Austin (full tuition covered, but not room and board) vs. good but not ultra-competitive LAC (Bates, Davidson, Macalester). Economics major. WL/rejected at higher ranked SLACs and top universities. Will probably take out loans or work full time to cover the other costs at UT as she comes from a very low income background.

Data analytics oriented. Wants to land a high paying job straight after graduation that will orient her for internationally oriented management positions. May pursue a MBA later. She knows how powerful the UT brand is in Texas so she's hesitant about going to a smaller LAC. But she recognizes all of the benefits of the latter three- top notch teaching, engagement and research opportunities, broader exploration, etc. Would prefer to be in an area that allows for easy access to internships (so Macalester stands out slightly).

Thanks for the insight.

[Anonymous]

How would she pay for the SLAC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would she pay for the SLAC?

She got close to a full ride because those schools meet full demonstrated need. Comes from a very low income/first-gen background.

[Anonymous]

UT Austin seems like a no brainer unless one of the other schools is offering a free ride including room and board.

[Anonymous]

What is the difference in cost between Macalester or the other places and UT, and would it all be made up of loans? Offhand I can’t see going 100k into debt for those schools over UT.

[Anonymous]

From that tier of SLAC, UT. If you were talking about Williams or Amherst then the answer would be different.

[Anonymous]

So wait — is UT 10-15k a year more expensive? You need to be clearer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference in cost between Macalester or the other places and UT, and would it all be made up of loans? Offhand I can’t see going 100k into debt for those schools over UT.

Exact COA:
UT Austin- 13K a year (no coverage for room and board- can receive federal loans)
Macalester- 3K a year federal loan, 5K student contribution from work study + summer savings
Davidson- No packaged loans, 2K work study
Bates- 2K a year federal loan, 4K work study + summer savings

[Anonymous]

I used to work for a marketing consultant firm in NYC. Truth be told, applicants from all these schools would be considered equally (unless CS, in which case, UT).

Personally, I would go with Davidson.

[Anonymous]

Where does this student live in TX? If this is a highly motivated student, I would seriously consider living at home for 2 years then transfer to UT (or a better private than the ones mentioned that might end up being cheaper). Is there no way to get room & board down at UT? I didn't think you were required to live on campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UT Austin (full tuition covered, but not room and board) vs. good but not ultra-competitive LAC (Bates, Davidson, Macalester). Economics major. WL/rejected at higher ranked SLACs and top universities. Will probably take out loans or work full time to cover the other costs at UT as she comes from a very low income background.

Data analytics oriented. Wants to land a high paying job straight after graduation that will orient her for internationally oriented management positions. May pursue a MBA later. She knows how powerful the UT brand is in Texas so she's hesitant about going to a smaller LAC. But she recognizes all of the benefits of the latter three- top notch teaching, engagement and research opportunities, broader exploration, etc. Would prefer to be in an area that allows for easy access to internships (so Macalester stands out slightly).

Thanks for the insight.

Unless other offers are completely free (all fees, room and board), I would recommend UT Austin. By her spring semester, she might be able to apply for a resident assistant or liaison position that comes with free housing or find another economical way to afford room and board - professors who are going on sabbatical who are looking for someone to housesit. On a large campus, there are a number of positions such as working as a student assistant in one of the many administrative offices that come with a fellowship which includes a decent stipend that will help defray the cost of room and board.

[Anonymous]

Davidson is the cheapest?

I think it has the best name recognition outside of UT.

I’d go with that if she wants the SLAC experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where does this student live in TX? If this is a highly motivated student, I would seriously consider living at home for 2 years then transfer to UT (or a better private than the ones mentioned that might end up being cheaper). Is there no way to get room & board down at UT? I didn't think you were required to live on campus.

Beaumont, so unfortunately not possible to live at home and commute. Room and Board isn't mandatory and she could potentially find options for $625 shared room: https://www.iccaustin.coop/availability-rates/ The 13K cost is just UT Austin's estimate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is the cheapest?

I think it has the best name recognition outside of UT.

I’d go with that if she wants the SLAC experience.

^ Bates would be my second choice (lovely school)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference in cost between Macalester or the other places and UT, and would it all be made up of loans? Offhand I can’t see going 100k into debt for those schools over UT.

Exact COA:
UT Austin- 13K a year (no coverage for room and board- can receive federal loans)
Macalester- 3K a year federal loan, 5K student contribution from work study + summer savings
Davidson- No packaged loans, 2K work study
Bates- 2K a year federal loan, 4K work study + summer savings

Do those numbers include pell grants?