I went to a Top School and I think state schools are the way to go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the top colleges and universities DO NOT offer merit aid. They meet some or all financial need only. And in general most of the well-known colleges and universities in major northeast cities and other desirable locations don't offer merit aid because they don't need to. There are plenty of people willing to pay to pay full-price or take big loans to attend BU, BC, NYU, GWU, UMiami, USC.

When you move out of the northeast/midAtlantic/west coast, and especially if you step down a level in prestige, you find many private colleges and universities that offer merit aid, and some offer lots. Some of these schools don't cost nearly $60k even at full price, making them more "affordable" (cough cough) in the first place.

If you are seeking affordable alternatives to in-state public universities, do not look to schools on the coasts. Look to the mid-west and the south. Lower tuition, less competition for slots, and often merit aid for good students that can make them viable alternatives to in-state publics. These can be great options for a kid who would prefer a small school or who would like to go out of state.

BU, BC, NYU, GWU, USC, etc are not "top schools." Of course it would be better to go to state school. Top school means HYP, top five SLAC, etc

Please read what I wrote again. As I said: most of the top colleges (which, as you noted, are HYP, top SLAC) do not offer merit aid. They have lots of aid for people with demonstrated financial need. None at all for others. So if your expected family contribution is higher than in-state public tuition, you will not receive enough aid from any of these top colleges to make them less than attending in-state public. Going to one of these top colleges will most definitely be more expensive for you. You get to decide if it is worth it. OTOH, if your EFC is less than the cost of attending your in-state public, it often *IS* cheaper to go to one of these top colleges.

Other well-known colleges in major northeast cities and other desirable locations (note I did not Usay that these were "top" colleges, merely that they were well-known and in desirable locations; i.e., they are extremely popular even if they are not "top") also do not offer merit aid. They don't need to because they are so popular. However, unlike the "top" colleges, this group of colleges is also well-known for being pretty stingy with financial aid as well (as the Lehigh poster above notes). For this reason, these schools may not be good options for upper middle class, middle class, lower middle class, and lower class families. Many good students think of these schools as "matches" or "safeties," but because of the lack of aid offered it is financially risky to view them this way. Proceed with caution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two male cousins both in their early 40's. One cousin grew up on the east coast, went to Harvard, now lives in the Midwest. He is doing great. He is married, two kids, has a great career, and is well off financially. I have another cousin who is in his early 40's, grew up in the Midwest, went to the University of Iowa, and now lives in DC. He is married, has three kids, has a fantastic career and is very well off financially. No one cares where they went to college now. They both did well for themselves.

Yep, outside of BigLaw and the top-tier finance and consulting firms, it doesn't seem to matter as much -- once you've established yourself and gained experience.

And how many people are realistically striving for BigLaw and Goldman Sachs, anyway? People are certainly turning away from law school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once you are in the real world it does not matter where you went to college. It is all about how you present yourself, speak, write, how hard you work, how creative you are, how dependable you are, how much useful information you actually learned at college. It does not matter if you went to Big State U or Private Preppy College, it just matters how you present yourself to the world when you have graduated.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the top colleges and universities DO NOT offer merit aid. They meet some or all financial need only. And in general most of the well-known colleges and universities in major northeast cities and other desirable locations don't offer merit aid because they don't need to. There are plenty of people willing to pay to pay full-price or take big loans to attend BU, BC, NYU, GWU, UMiami, USC.

When you move out of the northeast/midAtlantic/west coast, and especially if you step down a level in prestige, you find many private colleges and universities that offer merit aid, and some offer lots. Some of these schools don't cost nearly $60k even at full price, making them more "affordable" (cough cough) in the first place.

If you are seeking affordable alternatives to in-state public universities, do not look to schools on the coasts. Look to the mid-west and the south. Lower tuition, less competition for slots, and often merit aid for good students that can make them viable alternatives to in-state publics. These can be great options for a kid who would prefer a small school or who would like to go out of state.

BU, BC, NYU, GWU, USC, etc are not "top schools." Of course it would be better to go to state school. Top school means HYP, top five SLAC, etc

Interesting definition of "top school" - so other than your top ten or so you think it's all the same? USC is a top 25 school and "West Coast Ivy" - BC and NYU aren't too far behind. BU and GWU are in a different class (for undergrad) - if you think graduating from a top 25 school with a strong alumni network (like UVA, Georgetown and USC) won't make a difference go right ahead and attend Maryland, Delaware, Penn State or some lower ranked school. I know plenty of people who have done well from those schools. I also know grads of USC, UVA (out of state) and Georgetown who think their experience was worth every penny of the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the top colleges and universities DO NOT offer merit aid. They meet some or all financial need only. And in general most of the well-known colleges and universities in major northeast cities and other desirable locations don't offer merit aid because they don't need to. There are plenty of people willing to pay to pay full-price or take big loans to attend BU, BC, NYU, GWU, UMiami, USC.

When you move out of the northeast/midAtlantic/west coast, and especially if you step down a level in prestige, you find many private colleges and universities that offer merit aid, and some offer lots. Some of these schools don't cost nearly $60k even at full price, making them more "affordable" (cough cough) in the first place.

If you are seeking affordable alternatives to in-state public universities, do not look to schools on the coasts. Look to the mid-west and the south. Lower tuition, less competition for slots, and often merit aid for good students that can make them viable alternatives to in-state publics. These can be great options for a kid who would prefer a small school or who would like to go out of state.

BU, BC, NYU, GWU, USC, etc are not "top schools." Of course it would be better to go to state school. Top school means HYP, top five SLAC, etc

Interesting definition of "top school" - so other than your top ten or so you think it's all the same? USC is a top 25 school and "West Coast Ivy" - BC and NYU aren't too far behind. BU and GWU are in a different class (for undergrad) - if you think graduating from a top 25 school with a strong alumni network (like UVA, Georgetown and USC) won't make a difference go right ahead and attend Maryland, Delaware, Penn State or some lower ranked school. I know plenty of people who have done well from those schools. I also know grads of USC, UVA (out of state) and Georgetown who think their experience was worth every penny of the difference.

That's how I see it too. The alum networks at top 25 schools are pretty amazing.

[Anonymous]

1 in 25 college graduates went to Penn State. It's got a great alumni network. It's not just about the network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1 in 25 college graduates went to Penn State. It's got a great alumni network. It's not just about the network.

I'd like to see a source for that statistic - you are undoubtedly mistaken. Maybe the stat applies to within Pennsylvania - many schools have a strong regional alumni network.

[Anonymous]

Well, bless your heart!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, bless your heart!

Maybe practice some zen? Or should I put that in French for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1 in 25 college graduates went to Penn State. It's got a great alumni network. It's not just about the network.

I'd like to see a source for that statistic - you are undoubtedly mistaken. Maybe the stat applies to within Pennsylvania - many schools have a strong regional alumni network.

I've heard this PSU statistic a few times. I don't know the source but I've been curious about it.

[Anonymous]

I have heard it too-- at a student recruitment night my son attended. I know it is the largest alumni association and that they graduate 90,000 + kids a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard it too-- at a student recruitment night my son attended. I know it is the largest alumni association and that they graduate 90,000 + kids a year.

No way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard it too-- at a student recruitment night my son attended. I know it is the largest alumni association and that they graduate 90,000 + kids a year.

No way.

As of Spring 2012, they had a total of 700,000 graduates ever.

[Anonymous]

No way only 700,000. Not when you are graduating 95,000 students a year go on Wiki. Also largest alumni association in the world. Did not have that 1 in 25 statistic but I know they said it.

[Anonymous]

Information for Penn State Alumni - Admissions - Penn State University
admissions.psu.edu › Information for Specific Groups
Information for Penn State Alumni. Today, one of every 117 Americans with a college degree is a Penn State graduate. With almost half a million Penn State ...

Not quite 1 out of 25 but still an amazing stat!