Which college is worth $90k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To us, schools with the greatest proportion of high-achieving, intellectually top 1% and most driven students were what we sought. That list was about 23-24: 18 ivy and close to ivy unis, and 5-6 top lacs.
In addition, we wanted schools which open all the doors to the most elite jobs as well as all tip-top MD, phD, JD programs. The latter list has been studied by many and coined ivy-plus: all 8 ivies plus Stanford MIT Duke and UChicago.
The dream was one of the 12, the good-enough was one of the 23. We have two attending ivies and the third is almost certain to get into one of the 23.
It has been well worth the 88-93k per year for each so far.
These schools happen to offer the best aid, such that families below 300k HHI often get at least some discount, and below 200k hefty discounts. Fewer than 45% pay full price and that % is dropping every year at our ivies, but the schools remain worthy of every penny. It has nothing to do with dorms or food, it is about doors opened, top peers, and endless opportunities (often funded).

Interesting. UMD Honors College has a pipeline to top MD/PhD/JD etc. It’s a gem for sure, especially since most of those kids are also getting merit money.

UMD honors college does not have a peer group on par with that of an ivy/T10 nor does it "pipeline" an above average 3.8 but not stellar 3.95+ into T14 law, T20 med the same way ivies do.

Many, many kids in UMD Honors College also got into Ivies (so it is literally the same) and do indeed go into top grad programs. But it sounds like you will never be convinced otherwise.

DP. No dog in this fight either way, but how on earth would you know this? You don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

+1 from back in the day. My parents were middle class but just above the aid cutoff. They always told me if I got into a good enough college they would make it work. I got into HYPSM and they made it work. With help from extended family, I got private scholarships, I worked my way through college and paid for all my books, and I was an RA. My best friend in HS had to go to a state school even though she got in better because her parents could not afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

Controlling for inflation, what our parents paid for us to go to Ivy League schools was what we would pay for our kids to go to a Penn State level OOS flagship.

What our grandparents paid for our parents to go to those schools was what we would pay to send our kids in state.

The sacrifices you are making for your kids are far greater than the sacrifices your parents made for you. And unless they choose to step off this treadmill, the sacrifices your children will have to make for your grandchildren will be even more extreme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

Controlling for inflation, what our parents paid for us to go to Ivy League schools was what we would pay for our kids to go to a Penn State level OOS flagship.

What our grandparents paid for our parents to go to those schools was what we would pay to send our kids in state.

The sacrifices you are making for your kids are far greater than the sacrifices your parents made for you. And unless they choose to step off this treadmill, the sacrifices your children will have to make for your grandchildren will be even more extreme.

Harvard only cost like $500 total in 1955 which was 10% of median HHI at that time. U Maryland was like $300 in state. This is tuition and room and board.

That would be the equivalent of around $8,000 today for Harvard and $5,000 for UMD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

+1 from back in the day. My parents were middle class but just above the aid cutoff. They always told me if I got into a good enough college they would make it work. I got into HYPSM and they made it work. With help from extended family, I got private scholarships, I worked my way through college and paid for all my books, and I was an RA. My best friend in HS had to go to a state school even though she got in better because her parents could not afford it.

The poor dear! How long has she been living in the streets? Does she have access to shelter? Food banks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

[Anonymous]

So much low class judginess here. The long thread of people who have a chip on their shoulder about legacies. This thread of people hating on those who choose to spend their money to send their kids to private schools.

Everyone thinks they are so smart. They are just envious of those who went to expensive schools and/or have money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

Haha, looks like the big spending striver is triggered!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

Haha, looks like the big spending striver is triggered!

You got me. You're the big winner. Your parents who don't love you can finally be proud of you for something.

[Anonymous]

Anyhoo...