Anyone's kid still undecided?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

I am not one to push Ivies for the sake of it, but in this case, I personally would choose Brown. Your DD is not sure about her major and even if she were, something like 70% of kids change their majors. So I would not choose a school purely for a major unless your kid is 1000% sure. Brown is also cheaper and it's close enough to NYC that she could potentially take advantage of workshops, summer programs, etc. there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

We are currently going back and forth with this with our kid. Though $6,000 for one year does not seem like that much (especially given the yearly cost of these schools), $6,000 x 4 is $24,000. What can you do with $24,000? Buy a car. A years rent. Pay for a year (or more or less) of grad school. It is tough. My kid is deciding between Boston College and Northeastern. Difference is about $7,000 per year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre y performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

I am not one to push Ivies for the sake of it, but in this case, I personally would choose Brown. Your DD is not sure about her major and even if she were, something like 70% of kids change their majors. So I would not choose a school purely for a major unless your kid is 1000% sure. Brown is also cheaper and it's close enough to NYC that she could potentially take advantage of workshops, summer programs, etc. there.

Agree, especially with the cost difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We thought so, but DC got off a waitlist today with a half-tuition merit award (unexpected from a WL, but scores were above the 75th%). Letting that one sink in a day or two more before deciding.

Was this CWRU?

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you commit to two schools if you feel you need extra time to decide or is it frowned upon?

You usually can. It isn't "committing," it's putting down a deposit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

I personally like Northwestern better, but you said Brown is more her atmosphere. That for me should be the deciding factor. Go with the one that is the best social fit since both great academically and she might change mind on major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you commit to two schools if you feel you need extra time to decide or is it frowned upon?

You usually can. It isn't "committing," it's putting down a deposit.

Frowned upon.

You're just kicking the can down the road AND probably affecting some really eager kids on waitlists. It's time to make a decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you commit to two schools if you feel you need extra time to decide or is it frowned upon?

You usually can. It isn't "committing," it's putting down a deposit.

Frowned upon.

You're just kicking the can down the road AND probably affecting some really eager kids on waitlists. It's time to make a decision.

I wouldn't worry about kids on waiting lists (the reality is these schools likely aren't taking many kids off the waiting list), but I do agree it is just delaying the inevitable. We are putting down a deposit tomorrow. If my kid can't decide, I will decide for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is deciding:

Option A: Harvard, undecided major
Option B: University of Indiana school of music, and he wants to major in music,
Option C: Go to work for my BIL in Palo Alto startup company, or my SIL who is a SVP at one of the venture capital there,

He has until tomorrow afternoon to make a decision. At the moment, he is leaning toward option B.

Go to Harvard! (I say disingenuously because my kid is on the IU music waitlist.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

We are currently going back and forth with this with our kid. Though $6,000 for one year does not seem like that much (especially given the yearly cost of these schools), $6,000 x 4 is $24,000. What can you do with $24,000? Buy a car. A years rent. Pay for a year (or more or less) of grad school. It is tough. My kid is deciding between Boston College and Northeastern. Difference is about $7,000 per year.

PP here. Yes, what I was thinking exactly! Which school is offering you the better deal? We looked at BC - great school for overall ed, but NEU might appeal to someone who wants more hands on coop approach (my 2nd will probably look at that one). Does yours strongly favor one over the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

We are currently going back and forth with this with our kid. Though $6,000 for one year does not seem like that much (especially given the yearly cost of these schools), $6,000 x 4 is $24,000. What can you do with $24,000? Buy a car. A years rent. Pay for a year (or more or less) of grad school. It is tough. My kid is deciding between Boston College and Northeastern. Difference is about $7,000 per year.

Those are really different schools. You would think your kid had a preference for the kind of program and for location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup.
School A: low acceptance rate, very urban, so no real campus. Accepted for spring admit.
School B: her safety school, got lots of merit aid and into their premier program but she is not impressed by the caliber of kids who go there or it’s party school rep.

For mine:

School A: low acceptance rate, party vibe/greek life
Schools B: very low acceptance rate, higher ranked, no greek life, but kid not sure about fit

Tough call, not sure what the decision will be. Family rule: must decide by Friday. Not taking any chance on weekend internet issues.

Good luck to all in this last minute boat!

This is almost exactly us. Really good arguments either way, kid totally torn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does saving money play into decisions? This is so hard for DD (& me). DD accepted to great schools. Top 2 choices are NU and Brown. Both offered aid to get within what we would be willing to pay w/ no loans. NU has better major specific program (theatre performance and music theatre composing), but she is not completely sure about major. and is interested in math and music (which would be limited to composing minor at NU). Brown has open curriculum, no limitations and is more her atmosphere, she could triple major, and I think the name carries a little more cache, but theatre curriculum for her interests is thin and grad classes in theatre are not open to UG. Brown is currently $6k cheaper and may be more when we get a final review from FA. I feel like the choice tips heavily to either one based on what she wants, which keeps shifting. Both schools offer great reputations, faculty, and flexibility, so she has win either way. So, how heavily would 6-10k savings per year factor in for others? My thought is that that could buy a lot of area specific workshops or be a nice grad or law school nest egg. Also, if she did want to go into her primary field, Brown has a great MFA program, which I think is free. And, they seem to like their own. But, the NU program seems so cool. I think of cost were equal, she would choose NU.

PS. No need to weigh in on quality if music programs, that's been covered (thanks for all the info), and I think it would drive others crazy! Ha ha

And, Brown is now 8k less! I think I know what I'd choose! Trying not to pressure her.

[Anonymous]

My kid just got off the IU Music wait list. So, now it's a choice between IU or computer science at Michigan State. I think he's going to pick IU, but he's indecisive by nature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just got off the IU Music wait list. So, now it's a choice between IU or computer science at Michigan State. I think he's going to pick IU, but he's indecisive by nature.

Oh, wow! Congrats!!!!!