Crazy to take big merit money at JMU over UVA full price?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA is not that much better than JMU. Take JMU offer.

If it's only $15k then yes I think you'd be crazy not to go to UVA.

[Anonymous]

Your student needs to completely own this decision. If it's entirely their decision, they will work hard to prove to themselves and you that they made the best decision. That is what you want above all else

I disagree with this suggestion, especially given the decision may impact options for child#2. College is an investment. Would you give an 18 yr old $150,000 and let them decide how to invest it without any guidance? They're going to be influenced by their friends and social media, just as you shared you've been influenced by the "UVA or bust" sentiment. I'd skip school and spend a day on each campus and take notes - talk to students, get lunch & hang out in the cafeteria, learn about off campus housing, opportunities in desired major etc. and then go to admitted student days. Your family has plenty of time to make this decision. Congratulations on two great choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not complaining here and know this is a great choice to have: DC somehow lucked out and unexpectedly got accepted to UVA in-state and also got a full tuition offer from JMU. We're thrilled! As a family, we could really stretch and make UVA work without loans, but younger siblings will be in college soon so every dollar counts. DC feels like they would be happy at either school and their current choice of major doesn't really benefit from the added prestige of UVA. But we've been in NOVA long enough that the "UVA or bust" attitude has seeped into our consciousness. I know it's stupid to look for confirmation/approval online, but here I am! I just want to do right by my kid. Any thoughts? JMU make the most sense here?

Didnt realize JMU gave these sort of scholarships.

[Anonymous]

UVA. I'd make it work.
But your kid should attend admitted student days for both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not complaining here and know this is a great choice to have: DC somehow lucked out and unexpectedly got accepted to UVA in-state and also got a full tuition offer from JMU. We're thrilled! As a family, we could really stretch and make UVA work without loans, but younger siblings will be in college soon so every dollar counts. DC feels like they would be happy at either school and their current choice of major doesn't really benefit from the added prestige of UVA. But we've been in NOVA long enough that the "UVA or bust" attitude has seeped into our consciousness. I know it's stupid to look for confirmation/approval online, but here I am! I just want to do right by my kid. Any thoughts? JMU make the most sense here?

How will it impact the younger sibling (or vice versa). Will sibling also have to go for the cheaper school, how would it feel to the older one if the younger went to UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what would be the total cost of attendance at each school? (The PPs fixating on the "value" of the JMU scholarship are being distracted by a largely irrelevant number.)

OP here: Roughly $40k/yr at UVA and $20k/yr at JMU. Not night and day, but enough of a difference to pay for a masters.

JMU is the logical choice.

No state flagship is worth an extra $80,000.

[Anonymous]

What are your kids stats that they got a full ride at JMU?

Another possible option… two years at JMU then transfer to UVA. Still saves you a lot of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I went to Michigan State when I was also admitted to the University of Michigan. I was instate. I never regretted it. I had good, mature reasons - but they were my reasons, not my parent's reasons -- and it had nothing to do with money.

I actually don't think you can make this about money as this is too weighty a decision, and you have admitted you could afford either. Step back and truly make this your student's decision based on where they will thrive. Have the decision come from them completely. If they choose JMU, there will be plenty of time later to equalize the money-spent between the two siblings. That can be a future consideration.

Your student needs to completely own this decision. If it's entirely their decision, they will work hard to prove to themselves and you that they made the best decision. That is what you want above all else. It truly needs to be their decision, and in your family's case/financial case, not about money.

DS went to a school ranked much lower than others he had gotten in to. Very valid reasons for doing so. It turned out to be the best decision, better than he could have imagined with the opportunities it opened up. This decision is not as straightforward as so many DCUMers seem to think (rankings really don’t matter).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are your kids stats that they got a full ride at JMU?

Another possible option… two years at JMU then transfer to UVA. Still saves you a lot of money.

PP here.

I, too, am a bit curious since our HS sends a lot of kids to JMU and in the ~4yrs I've been paying attention to admissions (with two kids), we only know of one who got any money from JMU (and that was likewise a full-tuition offer -- who, BTW, ended up full-pay at UVA, both parents are alum and it was the dream school; the $ was not an issue).

Perhaps an IB student?

But no worries if you don't wanna share. We can all still cheer on your DC's accomplishments!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I went to Michigan State when I was also admitted to the University of Michigan. I was instate. I never regretted it. I had good, mature reasons - but they were my reasons, not my parent's reasons -- and it had nothing to do with money.

I actually don't think you can make this about money as this is too weighty a decision, and you have admitted you could afford either. Step back and truly make this your student's decision based on where they will thrive. Have the decision come from them completely. If they choose JMU, there will be plenty of time later to equalize the money-spent between the two siblings. That can be a future consideration.

Your student needs to completely own this decision. If it's entirely their decision, they will work hard to prove to themselves and you that they made the best decision. That is what you want above all else. It truly needs to be their decision, and in your family's case/financial case, not about money.

DS went to a school ranked much lower than others he had gotten in to. Very valid reasons for doing so. It turned out to be the best decision, better than he could have imagined with the opportunities it opened up. This decision is not as straightforward as so many DCUMers seem to think (rankings really don’t matter).

Echoing this - reflects my DC's experience as well. They've had opportunities (research, speaking, other) that their peers at other institutions can only dream of.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe). [/quote]

If you are talking about social work
or education, undergrad literally does not matter. If SW (or similar) all first jobs suck and strong clinical skills, good management skills, and an ability to write effectively are will what will lead to moving up the ladder, not college pedigree. Nobody will be impressed and you'll have (many great) bosses with no name degrees. Not having debt is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

Assuming that they don't change majors then I'd do JMU. How committed to this field are they?

[Anonymous]

I would pick UVA over JMU.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely pick JMU. I’ve had two kids attend JMU and they absolutely loved it and had great opportunities. One is now in grad school and the other has a fantastic job in their chosen field. To me, this is a complete no-brainer. JMU is a terrific school.

[Anonymous]

Agree with previous poster that said teaching or nursing, either is fine. Anything else, UVA. Job market is becoming too competitive to not take the edge UVA gives.