Lawrence University vs. Haverford vs. St. Olaf

[Anonymous]

She really loved them all but the kicker is that Lawrence gave her $28K/year and St. Olaf $18K, and would be full pay at Haverford. She is interested in a major in economics.

She was also accepted at St. Mary's of Maryland (which I suppose is technically still in the running but it was mostly just her financial and academic safety) and Kenyon, which she ruled out for a few reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She really loved them all but the kicker is that Lawrence gave her $28K/year and St. Olaf $18K, and would be full pay at Haverford. She is interested in a major in economics.

She was also accepted at St. Mary's of Maryland (which I suppose is technically still in the running but it was mostly just her financial and academic safety) and Kenyon, which she ruled out for a few reasons.

Obviously the choice has to make sense financially but Haverford is in a different league from the other choices in terms of reputation, selectivity, etc.

[Anonymous]

Full pay at Haverford would be one heck of a debt load ... can she learn more about the economics departments at the other schools?

[Anonymous]

We could afford Haverford without loans but there would be no money left for grad school which is part of her plan.

[Anonymous]

What's your actual out-of-pocket cost per year at each school? And are the $$ guaranteed for 4 years at Lawrence and/or St. Olaf?

[Anonymous]

Maybe this is better suited toward the finance forum but I have stocks worth $100K to be sold to finance Haverford.

[Anonymous]

Is she thinking of a career that would involve grad school? If so, spending less on undergrad could pay off. Also, grad schools also look for diversity when admitting applicants, so there is possibly a benefit if she's a standout at Lawrence or St Olaf versus average at Haverford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's your actual out-of-pocket cost per year at each school? And are the $$ guaranteed for 4 years at Lawrence and/or St. Olaf?

As long as she keeps a good GPA, yes.

Lawrence - ~$30K
St. Olaf - ~$35K
Haverford - $65K

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She really loved them all but the kicker is that Lawrence gave her $28K/year and St. Olaf $18K, and would be full pay at Haverford. She is interested in a major in economics.

She was also accepted at St. Mary's of Maryland (which I suppose is technically still in the running but it was mostly just her financial and academic safety) and Kenyon, which she ruled out for a few reasons.

Obviously the choice has to make sense financially but Haverford is in a different league from the other choices in terms of reputation, selectivity, etc.

According to a recent study, a student who is qualified to attend an elite school but does not do so will be equally successful as the one who actually attends.

If attending Haverford meant taking out big loans, I would pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe this is better suited toward the finance forum but I have stocks worth $100K to be sold to finance Haverford.

Curious to understand why she applied to Haverford if the question of whether you want to spend that kind of money for her to attend is not resolved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she thinking of a career that would involve grad school? If so, spending less on undergrad could pay off. Also, grad schools also look for diversity when admitting applicants, so there is possibly a benefit if she's a standout at Lawrence or St Olaf versus average at Haverford.

+1

[Anonymous]

Oof, that out of pocket for Haverford would be brutal. I think it's better than the other two, but THAT much better? No. Unless she has her heart set on it, which it sounds like she does not, I'd take it off the table.

Of the other two, I went to a different SLAC in Wisconsin and am familiar with both of them; I know several graduates from each. I would pick St. Olaf -- better (ish) location -- it's relatively close to a major international airport, at least compared to Appleton. Does she have any interest in or experience with music? St. Olaf has a strong music program, so that might be worth considering too.

They're similar, and both good schools. Congratulations to her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oof, that out of pocket for Haverford would be brutal. I think it's better than the other two, but THAT much better? No. Unless she has her heart set on it, which it sounds like she does not, I'd take it off the table.

Of the other two, I went to a different SLAC in Wisconsin and am familiar with both of them; I know several graduates from each. I would pick St. Olaf -- better (ish) location -- it's relatively close to a major international airport, at least compared to Appleton. Does she have any interest in or experience with music? St. Olaf has a strong music program, so that might be worth considering too.

They're similar, and both good schools. Congratulations to her!

I generally agree with this analysis. Haverford is the strongest of the three schools in most respects -- and certainly in econ. (Although certainly not in music, where St. Olaf, strong as it is, falls in behind Lawrence, which is truly outstanding.) But $120K over 4 years to go there instead of St. Olaf? When that $120K actually matters? Pass. St. Olaf is a good school with a strong econ department in a fine town -- all the makings of a great college experience. (Lawrence trails by a small gap in each respect -- I'd pay the extra $20K over 4 years for St. Olaf...but I also don't think it would be crazy to come out the other way on that question. I certainly wouldn't "force" her to attend St. Olaf if she preferred Lawrence in these circumstances.)

I second the congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oof, that out of pocket for Haverford would be brutal. I think it's better than the other two, but THAT much better? No. Unless she has her heart set on it, which it sounds like she does not, I'd take it off the table.

Of the other two, I went to a different SLAC in Wisconsin and am familiar with both of them; I know several graduates from each. I would pick St. Olaf -- better (ish) location -- it's relatively close to a major international airport, at least compared to Appleton. Does she have any interest in or experience with music? St. Olaf has a strong music program, so that might be worth considering too.

They're similar, and both good schools. Congratulations to her!

I generally agree with this analysis. Haverford is the strongest of the three schools in most respects -- and certainly in econ. (Although certainly not in music, where St. Olaf, strong as it is, falls in behind Lawrence, which is truly outstanding.) But $120K over 4 years to go there instead of St. Olaf? When that $120K actually matters? Pass. St. Olaf is a good school with a strong econ department in a fine town -- all the makings of a great college experience. (Lawrence trails by a small gap in each respect -- I'd pay the extra $20K over 4 years for St. Olaf...but I also don't think it would be crazy to come out the other way on that question. I certainly wouldn't "force" her to attend St. Olaf if she preferred Lawrence in these circumstances.)

I second the congratulations!

I completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Haverford no question - Econ is a program that is massively helped by institutional prestige.

Not as much as history and ir but it isn't a hard science