Fit vs. ranking

[Anonymous]

DD's two absolute favorite schools are both ranked 30-60 spots lower and would be much more expensive than our state school option (according to the NPCs about $15K per year, which would have to be taken out in the form of loans) and we are fairly certain she would get in to state school. Has anyone ever handled this before? What did your do end up doing?

[Anonymous]

It depends what it is about the other schools that make them the favorites. Can you tell us the qualities of the other schools that your daughter finds appealing and causes her to see them as better fits than the in-state option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends what it is about the other schools that make them the favorites. Can you tell us the qualities of the other schools that your daughter finds appealing and causes her to see them as better fits than the in-state option?

She loves the campus, the locations (urban), the "vibes" from the student body, more personalized, they're both Catholic schools...think that's about it.

[Anonymous]

My kids don't need to get their favorites of things. They were allowed to pick from state schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends what it is about the other schools that make them the favorites. Can you tell us the qualities of the other schools that your daughter finds appealing and causes her to see them as better fits than the in-state option?

She loves the campus, the locations (urban), the "vibes" from the student body, more personalized, they're both Catholic schools...think that's about it.

Is there merit money available that she may qualify for? I would let her apply as long as she knows that you can only pay x amount and that she will need to be awarded financial aid or merit scholarships to cover tuition and other expenses over the amount that you have stipulated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends what it is about the other schools that make them the favorites. Can you tell us the qualities of the other schools that your daughter finds appealing and causes her to see them as better fits than the in-state option?

She loves the campus, the locations (urban), the "vibes" from the student body, more personalized, they're both Catholic schools...think that's about it.

Is there merit money available that she may qualify for? I would let her apply as long as she knows that you can only pay x amount and that she will need to be awarded financial aid or merit scholarships to cover tuition and other expenses over the amount that you have stipulated.

Yes, this is AFTER merit money that the $15K comes from.

[Anonymous]

Just tell her that you will pay x amount, and if she wants to go somewhere more expensive than that, she'll have to take out a loan. You don't have to pay for everything.

[Anonymous]

You see the advantage of state schools--price. The disadvantage of state schools is frequently student:faculty ratio and 4 and 6 year graduation rate. Both of these factors can be reasons to go to the lower "ranked" school. I would send my child to the school that I thought best prepared them for rest of their life, even if that school cost more. Personally 30 spots on a ranking is meaningless. Go where you are comfortable, do the best possible work there, and you are likely to get the best possible outcome.

[Anonymous]

Another recent thread asked if the additional price was "worth it" or how much more would you pay for a "good fit." In your case, it seems some pretty hefty reasons for liking the private better. I don't think having DD take out loans ($60k total?) is bad. At least give her the choice. For $15k per year, she may be able to get work study too.

[Anonymous]

I didn't get the sense you were asking about price but rather about rankings.

Pick fit over rankings 100%. My DD did this, picked a school she fell in love with even though she could have gotten into much higher ranked schools. She's there now, ecstatically happy and being very challenged academically.

The higher ranking schools are not necessarily where you will get the best education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get the sense you were asking about price but rather about rankings.

Pick fit over rankings 100%. My DD did this, picked a school she fell in love with even though she could have gotten into much higher ranked schools. She's there now, ecstatically happy and being very challenged academically.

The higher ranking schools are not necessarily where you will get the best education.

We have three in college. Totally agree with this. Always fit over ranking. Your child will spend at least four years of his life at this place. The experience is every bit as important as the degree. We have a child that turned down an Ivy to go to a small state college. We were less than thrilled by her choice at the time. It's been perfect for her. They gave her a full academic Scholorship. She was accepted into their honors college which gave her access to some amazing internships and other programs. The right people have just appeared in her life at the right time. She had a job offer the end of her junior year because of the contacts she made at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get the sense you were asking about price but rather about rankings.

Pick fit over rankings 100%. My DD did this, picked a school she fell in love with even though she could have gotten into much higher ranked schools. She's there now, ecstatically happy and being very challenged academically.

The higher ranking schools are not necessarily where you will get the best education.

We have three in college. Totally agree with this. Always fit over ranking. Your child will spend at least four years of his life at this place. The experience is every bit as important as the degree. We have a child that turned down an Ivy to go to a small state college. We were less than thrilled by her choice at the time. It's been perfect for her. They gave her a full academic Scholorship. She was accepted into their honors college which gave her access to some amazing internships and other programs. The right people have just appeared in her life at the right time. She had a job offer the end of her junior year because of the contacts she made at the school.

+1000
Couldn't agree more.

[Anonymous]

OP, If it's not ED is doesn't matter.

Apply to all. Later you will know the final costs. There may be details you can't anticipate which will become clear closer to May. Your DD mind would change her mind too.

[Anonymous]

Fit over ranking for undergrad. Ranking over fit for grad.

[Anonymous]

Fit, 100%. I chose ranking, and was miserable freshman year. It was a top 10 school, but I hated it so much I dropped out. Reapplied to good fits regardless of rankings, and loved it and was successful. Strong grades, multiple job offers, and HAPPY.