two kids in college - what is prestige worth?

[Anonymous]

There is more than prestige to consider here. Quality of life at Princeton is a lot higher than at Grinnell. P is better on many dimensions including ease of getting back and forth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Princeton parent here. Kid got also full ride from a very good school. And we are not so rich that money is no issue. The kid wanted to go to Princeton, we let them go. So glad we did. Very happy with Princeton. The school plans everything in its power to make kids happy and learning. And learning not only their subject matters, but also other things.

Thanks for this. I realize Princeton seems to be the obvious choice, but my kid has two very good friends at Princeton and neither very impressed tbh, although one is just a freshman. They're like, "eh, it's fine .. it's good .. it's not super special" and generally not encouraging. And they both have really hefty FA awards. I think kid is leaning Williams right now, and then of course we think, well, if it's Williams why not Grinnell plus money for grad school. There's no bad decision (except Georgetown, that's not happening)

I know unhappy kids at Grinnell and at Williams fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kid is in at Princeton.

I called about the other concern -- changes in how schools are considering #2 in college. Even though some here thinks it's going down the rabbit hole (?), the schools I called were very willing to answer my family-specific questions on this and run numbers. They don't want kids coming to school without a pretty clear picture of finances - that's a potential problem for them too. Every private school I called said they planned to consider having more than kid in college at once ("That's part of the family's full financial picture") indefinitely. They asked public vs private bcs thats what they use to run estimates, but they'd give you a break no matter what the second tuition was. The bigger the tuition, the bigger the break.

The two public schools I called were not sure what would happen fall of 2024 and couldn't be sure they'd take any other tuition into account. That was a short call. One person said, "believe me, I wish I knew." For us, it probably doesn't matter because it's financial aid not merit aid and we wouldn't qualify. Kid #1 wasn't interested in the auto-merit offered at big OOS schools - we toured one - and that was fine with us, but obv an attractive option for many.

It's FAR too hard for you to game (or plan for) this in advance. There are just too many unknowns. First, you have no idea where #2 would get in (and where #1 chooses won't affect admissions officer choices on that). Second, there's no way to predict potential FA/merit offers "if" they get into "mystery school" based on the current list of potentials for kid #1 tuition.

Make a financial decision now on what you are willing to pay for Kid #1 and then determine how this choice affects what you are willing to pay for Kid #2 later (and does that seem equitable). Be clear with kid #2 what their financial parameters are - sounds like no clean slate like Kid #1 had going in (but if so, make it clear with Kid #1 choice what is being taken from the pot - so kid #2 sees - and what is being taken from the pot for kid #1 future) .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Princeton parent here. Kid got also full ride from a very good school. And we are not so rich that money is no issue. The kid wanted to go to Princeton, we let them go. So glad we did. Very happy with Princeton. The school plans everything in its power to make kids happy and learning. And learning not only their subject matters, but also other things.

Thanks for this. I realize Princeton seems to be the obvious choice, but my kid has two very good friends at Princeton and neither very impressed tbh, although one is just a freshman. They're like, "eh, it's fine .. it's good .. it's not super special" and generally not encouraging. And they both have really hefty FA awards. I think kid is leaning Williams right now, and then of course we think, well, if it's Williams why not Grinnell plus money for grad school. There's no bad decision (except Georgetown, that's not happening)

If I had a kid with acceptances to Princeton and Williams and the price differential were negligible, I'd let her choose whichever she felt was a better fit. In other words, I think Williams a superior enough school that I wouldn't bat an eye at anyone choosing it over HYPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot put a price eon prestige. It lasts a lifetime.

And has value only to those who believe it does. Play that game if you want, but it won't make any difference other than socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kid is in at Princeton.

I called about the other concern -- changes in how schools are considering #2 in college. Even though some here thinks it's going down the rabbit hole (?), the schools I called were very willing to answer my family-specific questions on this and run numbers. They don't want kids coming to school without a pretty clear picture of finances - that's a potential problem for them too. Every private school I called said they planned to consider having more than kid in college at once ("That's part of the family's full financial picture") indefinitely. They asked public vs private bcs thats what they use to run estimates, but they'd give you a break no matter what the second tuition was. The bigger the tuition, the bigger the break.

The two public schools I called were not sure what would happen fall of 2024 and couldn't be sure they'd take any other tuition into account. That was a short call. One person said, "believe me, I wish I knew." For us, it probably doesn't matter because it's financial aid not merit aid and we wouldn't qualify. Kid #1 wasn't interested in the auto-merit offered at big OOS schools - we toured one - and that was fine with us, but obv an attractive option for many.

It's FAR too hard for you to game (or plan for) this in advance. There are just too many unknowns. First, you have no idea where #2 would get in (and where #1 chooses won't affect admissions officer choices on that). Second, there's no way to predict potential FA/merit offers "if" they get into "mystery school" based on the current list of potentials for kid #1 tuition.

Make a financial decision now on what you are willing to pay for Kid #1 and then determine how this choice affects what you are willing to pay for Kid #2 later (and does that seem equitable). Be clear with kid #2 what their financial parameters are - sounds like no clean slate like Kid #1 had going in (but if so, make it clear with Kid #1 choice what is being taken from the pot - so kid #2 sees - and what is being taken from the pot for kid #1 future) .

It wasn't too hard for Williams, Princeton, Grinnell or Georgetown to "game this" on the phone in about 15 minutes asking me a variety of questions.

It's okay if you don't want to think about this and take it kid by kid and not attempt a total COA, especially if your kids don't overlap. And it's okay if I prefer getting more detail directly from the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kid is in at Princeton.

I called about the other concern -- changes in how schools are considering #2 in college. Even though some here thinks it's going down the rabbit hole (?), the schools I called were very willing to answer my family-specific questions on this and run numbers. They don't want kids coming to school without a pretty clear picture of finances - that's a potential problem for them too. Every private school I called said they planned to consider having more than kid in college at once ("That's part of the family's full financial picture") indefinitely. They asked public vs private bcs thats what they use to run estimates, but they'd give you a break no matter what the second tuition was. The bigger the tuition, the bigger the break.

The two public schools I called were not sure what would happen fall of 2024 and couldn't be sure they'd take any other tuition into account. That was a short call. One person said, "believe me, I wish I knew." For us, it probably doesn't matter because it's financial aid not merit aid and we wouldn't qualify. Kid #1 wasn't interested in the auto-merit offered at big OOS schools - we toured one - and that was fine with us, but obv an attractive option for many.

Do you even understand you got a non-answer answer?

I don't know why people are thanking you or why you think you're doing something useful here.

The bottom line is that you got no numbers, no guarantees, nothing. They can "consider" your two kids in privates all they want, but that's not necessarily going to translate into anything much for you.

[Anonymous]

4 pages in and OP has no numbers so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
4 pages in and OP has no numbers so far.

I had a pre-read and got numbers. In the first post I shared the total COA for two kids based on those pre-reads. Those are the numbers. The colleges actually can confirm a lot, they use historical increase in tuition yoy, etc. They have a spreadsheet they just put figures into and they can tell me how often that spreadsheet changes (for Princeton, Grinnell and Williams, they've only allocated more money to FA, not less). I have a name and a piece of paper I can go back and talk to them about if their numbers are not what they gave in a pre-read. They said to do that - it puts you in a really good position to get more money during an appeal should it come to that. What they can't predict (nor can I) is if my own income changes substantially or if I inherit a diamond mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Princeton parent here. Kid got also full ride from a very good school. And we are not so rich that money is no issue. The kid wanted to go to Princeton, we let them go. So glad we did. Very happy with Princeton. The school plans everything in its power to make kids happy and learning. And learning not only their subject matters, but also other things.

Thanks for this. I realize Princeton seems to be the obvious choice, but my kid has two very good friends at Princeton and neither very impressed tbh, although one is just a freshman. They're like, "eh, it's fine .. it's good .. it's not super special" and generally not encouraging. And they both have really hefty FA awards. I think kid is leaning Williams right now, and then of course we think, well, if it's Williams why not Grinnell plus money for grad school. There's no bad decision (except Georgetown, that's not happening)

I know unhappy kids at Grinnell and at Williams fwiw.

100%. I'm just saying this isn't a case where the kid wants Princeton and parents are trying to dissuade.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I’m missing something but what you haven’t considered is what private college for DC 2 will offer for financial aid. I had a kid at Princeton and then younger sibling attended a private meet needs college two year later. COA for DC 2 at the other private college was MORE than cost for DC 1 at Princeton even though they were both attending college at the same time and financial information for our family and the kids are the same Some schools are more generous than others and Princeton is one of the most generous.

So while Princeton can give you an estimate on what they will award your child in future years when you have 2 in college at the same time, you don’t know what private college for DC 2 will cost. That schools formula for two in college at same time given same financial information could and likely will be different.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I should have put that in first post. Did put it in first reply, below. The long list for kid #2 will be edited to exclude the schools that think our EFC is 150k ish. I think that's rather doable.

The second kid doesn't need to be at Princeton .. just a second private four year college. Per Princeton. Obviously, we'd have to curate list for #2 to exclude schools that think our EFC can cover two kids in private colleges at once (ie, we'll be skipping Georgetown). But Princeton, Grinnell, State U and many others work.

[Anonymous]

I'd call Princeton FA office. Better yet, have your kid call the FA office. My kid did this at another ivy. They were very helpful. Seeing that your scenario is more complex, I'd call and have a talk with someone in Princeton FA office. They'll be happy to talk to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Princeton parent here. Kid got also full ride from a very good school. And we are not so rich that money is no issue. The kid wanted to go to Princeton, we let them go. So glad we did. Very happy with Princeton. The school plans everything in its power to make kids happy and learning. And learning not only their subject matters, but also other things.

Thanks for this. I realize Princeton seems to be the obvious choice, but my kid has two very good friends at Princeton and neither very impressed tbh, although one is just a freshman. They're like, "eh, it's fine .. it's good .. it's not super special" and generally not encouraging. And they both have really hefty FA awards. I think kid is leaning Williams right now, and then of course we think, well, if it's Williams why not Grinnell plus money for grad school. There's no bad decision (except Georgetown, that's not happening)

I know unhappy kids at Grinnell and at Williams fwiw.

say more - i have a dc interested in both

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kid is in at Princeton.

I called about the other concern -- changes in how schools are considering #2 in college. Even though some here thinks it's going down the rabbit hole (?), the schools I called were very willing to answer my family-specific questions on this and run numbers. They don't want kids coming to school without a pretty clear picture of finances - that's a potential problem for them too. Every private school I called said they planned to consider having more than kid in college at once ("That's part of the family's full financial picture") indefinitely. They asked public vs private bcs thats what they use to run estimates, but they'd give you a break no matter what the second tuition was. The bigger the tuition, the bigger the break.

The two public schools I called were not sure what would happen fall of 2024 and couldn't be sure they'd take any other tuition into account. That was a short call. One person said, "believe me, I wish I knew." For us, it probably doesn't matter because it's financial aid not merit aid and we wouldn't qualify. Kid #1 wasn't interested in the auto-merit offered at big OOS schools - we toured one - and that was fine with us, but obv an attractive option for many.

It's FAR too hard for you to game (or plan for) this in advance. There are just too many unknowns. First, you have no idea where #2 would get in (and where #1 chooses won't affect admissions officer choices on that). Second, there's no way to predict potential FA/merit offers "if" they get into "mystery school" based on the current list of potentials for kid #1 tuition.

Make a financial decision now on what you are willing to pay for Kid #1 and then determine how this choice affects what you are willing to pay for Kid #2 later (and does that seem equitable). Be clear with kid #2 what their financial parameters are - sounds like no clean slate like Kid #1 had going in (but if so, make it clear with Kid #1 choice what is being taken from the pot - so kid #2 sees - and what is being taken from the pot for kid #1 future) .

It wasn't too hard for Williams, Princeton, Grinnell or Georgetown to "game this" on the phone in about 15 minutes asking me a variety of questions.

It's okay if you don't want to think about this and take it kid by kid and not attempt a total COA, especially if your kids don't overlap. And it's okay if I prefer getting more detail directly from the schools.

But talking to Williams Princeton Grinnel and Georgetown is only 1/2 of your equation.....you have NO idea what your other half will be. It sounds like you are asking us all to choose between these based on potential for child #2. I'm saying make a decision now JUST on these schools and your priorities - knowing that kid #2 brings uncertainty AND that if you have/need guardrails for kid #2 based in current decision - be sure to lay them out.