Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only the rich and the stupid pay full sticker price for a private.

Often, these are one and the same.

Envy is a poison that will kill you from inside. Let it go, for your own benefit.

People are relieved and happy. Why can't you be happy for them? Hard to call it bragging when none of us even know who they are.

Hope your heart defrosts by Christmas.

Sounds like a humble brag

Anonymous wrote:Huh, I guess everyone on this thread is very wealthy. Or at least wealthy enough to feel certain that the school will determine you have no financial need at all in paying that $70K.

Well here was our happy surprise about Northwestern last year. DS got in RD. It was a shock to us all, particularly because he had decided to apply just before the deadline "just to see" if he was good enough to get in. But we never really thought that was a realistic possibility and actually had already put down his room deposit at UMD, where we had done the prepaid tuition plan.

But he got in, and after we got over our amazement at the long odds he beat, we all sort of chuckled ruefully at the price tag, knowing that would never be a possibility for us. We are not a wealthy family, but we're not poor either. We're solidly middle middle class, an educator and a social worker. We've gotten used to being your typical Montgomery County donut hole family. We had the resources to cover tuition at the in-state flagship (and hubby's alma mater) and felt grateful for that.

So even after DS got in to NU, we never really thought he'd be going there because financially it was so out of our league. And then we got the school's financial aid offer and we discovered what it is to be wanted by a school with abundant resources and a pledge to meet 100% of financial need. The offer was extraordinarily generous and included work-study but no loans. I had never bothered to do the NPC for NU, if I had perhaps I wouldn't have been so surprised.

DS just finished his first quarter at Northwestern and couldn't be happier. We are indeed paying more than we would have at UMD, but surprisingly not a lot more. So DS's NU degree won't be costing us anywhere near $280K. The same goes for many of the kids who go there. Check out the financial aid stats on College Data.

You are not a donut hole family. You received need-based FA, which by definition makes you not a donut hole family.

I'm happy that it worked out for you.

Sounds like a win-win. Thanks

Anonymous wrote:congrats to your son.

Just curious...did you lose the prepaid tuition money in MD?

No way. If that was the case, we wouldn't be doing it. The money is now paid directly to Northwestern. If you do the prepaid plan, and then go out of state or to a private, they will pay out whatever is the "average" Maryland public university tuition. So we lose out a little bit because we do not get back the tuition amount for UMD-CP, but rather the average of four MD schools. And tuition is less at places like Towson, Salisbury, Frostburg, etc.

So each quarter now, we fill out a distribution form, submit it, and they send a check to Northwestern.

congrats to your son.

Just curious...did you lose the prepaid tuition money in MD?

Huh, I guess everyone on this thread is very wealthy. Or at least wealthy enough to feel certain that the school will determine you have no financial need at all in paying that $70K.

Well here was our happy surprise about Northwestern last year. DS got in RD. It was a shock to us all, particularly because he had decided to apply just before the deadline "just to see" if he was good enough to get in. But we never really thought that was a realistic possibility and actually had already put down his room deposit at UMD, where we had done the prepaid tuition plan.

But he got in, and after we got over our amazement at the long odds he beat, we all sort of chuckled ruefully at the price tag, knowing that would never be a possibility for us. We are not a wealthy family, but we're not poor either. We're solidly middle middle class, an educator and a social worker. We've gotten used to being your typical Montgomery County donut hole family. We had the resources to cover tuition at the in-state flagship (and hubby's alma mater) and felt grateful for that.

So even after DS got in to NU, we never really thought he'd be going there because financially it was so out of our league. And then we got the school's financial aid offer and we discovered what it is to be wanted by a school with abundant resources and a pledge to meet 100% of financial need. The offer was extraordinarily generous and included work-study but no loans. I had never bothered to do the NPC for NU, if I had perhaps I wouldn't have been so surprised.

DS just finished his first quarter at Northwestern and couldn't be happier. We are indeed paying more than we would have at UMD, but surprisingly not a lot more. So DS's NU degree won't be costing us anywhere near $280K. The same goes for many of the kids who go there. Check out the financial aid stats on College Data.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many here drive expensive cars? Such stupid purchases.

+1. So funny to watch people fret here about the poor investment of college and then they hop in their overpriced BMWs and go buy more crap they don’t need. Anyone here buy a new car? Dumb investment. Suckers all of you.

Or the taxes and interest of expensive homes.

My son goes to a school that cost $280K. Our HHI is $250k, but has not always been that high.

We have not saved very much (about $50k) due to a few medical issues.

We have a normal house, no summer home, modest vacations, no fancy cars and inexpensive clothes.

We have 10k in loans, 21 in grants, and pay the other 40 out of pocket.

It's a choice that works for him. If it doesn't work for your family then it doesn't.

Anonymous wrote:How many here drive expensive cars? Such stupid purchases.

+1. So funny to watch people fret here about the poor investment of college and then they hop in their overpriced BMWs and go buy more crap they don’t need. Anyone here buy a new car? Dumb investment. Suckers all of you.

Job. She needs a job. Ask your daughter what she'll be doing to avoid 35K in debt.

Anonymous wrote:Mom of a grad school student. Have you added in incedentals? Travel home for the holidays? Rent after the first year off campus? Sorority dues? Extra money for ice cream, beer, laundry and a moped? I am being snarky but The extras add up. Add in another 5k a semester for the goodmeal plan, spring break trips etc.

This stuff is why my high school freshman is getting a job this summer. Like his parents did in high school. He does not know and will not be told that his education is already paid up. College is the time to be hurting for cash so you fully understand why you need to do your very best and fight like hell to get a great job that pays way more than your summer jobs did after your education is over.

Anonymous wrote:Only the rich and the stupid pay full sticker price for a private.

No merit aid available so only the poor or the irresponsible get financial aid I guess. Enjoy your child’s education funded by those rich and stupid donors.

Anonymous wrote:I went to Northwestern and have a hs junior. When we were in the area we went to an info session there. I could not believe the tuition! I loved my time there but I do not believe it or any college is worth that tuition.

+1

DC is competitive for such schools, but we are not even entertaining it. It's in-state public or private w/merit aid for us. Full stop.

So far she has received a couple of great merit offers from excellent schools and is happy with options. Once the full picture is completed in March or so, she'll do a few return visits and make a choice.

OP, did your DC apply ED? If so, your question is moot as it's a done deal.