I want to reiterate some sound advice posted previously on this board, as my daughter, two years ago, said "It would be cool to go to MIT!" Yes, indeed, it would have been. At the same time she was applying for ROTC scholarships, she applied to the Coast Guard Academy, in the end, accepting there but being medically DQed and disenrolled. Came home, worked for a year, saved a ton of money and applied again for ROTC. Granted 4-year scholarships with NROTC-MO and AROTC. Currently slogging through the waiver process, but thankfully chose a school that she can afford without having to take out loans. Now her desperation comes from wanting so badly to serve, not how am I going to pay for school. Good luck to all! It's an exciting time!
The importance of choosing a college you can afford...
- Thread starter Elmtwigs
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
- Messages
- 2,252
Graduating (or not) without having a huge school loan dept is extremely important. Some have advised that after your 1st job, your school isn't important as you now have a resume'. Best to your DD.
It is equally important for those that accept the ROTC scholarship, start school, but then at either unable to continue with ROTC due to choice, medical, or inability to pass fitness at year’s end. Then, those students are faced with the prospect of continuing to study at the expesncive school they may love, or transfer to one they can afford. Which is a bummer if you have made some good friends or liked the school.
Good luck to your daughter, hoping she will be successful with the waiver!
She LOVED the Marines, (and if I'm honest, her attachment loved her as the only mid in her unit to pass the class one PFE among other things) but the med board did not waive her. Thanks though! Still hoping Army comes through.
unkown1961
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,224
Definitely a good idea, but kids and parents should keep in mind that some of these expensive schools are very generous with aid (grants, not loans) due to their endowments, so much so that they end up being cheaper than in-state tuition. I can attest to that with MIT (and it is cool to go there! 
), even without AFROTC it would be cheaper than the lowest priced in-state school. Rice, Princeton, and Yale are also generous. The point is that students shouldn't look solely at the sticker price for private colleges, but ask around and do some research about which schools have reputations for good aid and then apply to these schools (if they are appealing). A kid won't know the true cost until they get accepted and receive the financial aid package.
), even without AFROTC it would be cheaper than the lowest priced in-state school. Rice, Princeton, and Yale are also generous. The point is that students shouldn't look solely at the sticker price for private colleges, but ask around and do some research about which schools have reputations for good aid and then apply to these schools (if they are appealing). A kid won't know the true cost until they get accepted and receive the financial aid package.
curiousas250
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2018
- Messages
- 21
Just to say that I believe MIT is definitely a school worth going into debt for and I know many people who would give up their right hand just to go. The MIT alumnus network is second-to-none in the technical industries and having the fortune to know a few graduates, a degree from MIT can lead to a six figure salary offer before you even graduate college. One of my classmates has a cousin who makes $500,000 a year in the startup sector after three years out of MIT. The guy works hard and will be a multi-millionaire when he retires before 40. Of course not every MIT graduate lives like he does, but you’d find more cases of people like him at MIT than a state school. There will be debt, yes, but that debt will be recovered plus much more.
Anyways, my point is that if you’re debating between a Ivy League-level school or your local state school then go to the Ivy. Life is sadly not a pure meritocracy. If you have the skills you will go far. If you have the skills and know the right people or have the right name attached to a piece of paper, you will go ten times as far. Networking is key; choosing a school with a solid reputation and alumnus network is as important as choosing a school with solid academics.
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2018
- Messages
- 750
Elmtwigs. I would like to echo unknown1961. Many top private schools offer 100% or near that especially if you demonstrate the need! All schools love the ROTC Scholarship. It is also a demonstrated candidate strength. Apply to all the schools she is competitive. I would not turn away top private schools because they have deeper pocket to fund students with needs.
NROTCdad
Member
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2018
- Messages
- 156
Definitely a good idea, but kids and parents should keep in mind that some of these expensive schools are very generous with aid (grants, not loans) due to their endowments, so much so that they end up being cheaper than in-state tuition. I can attest to that with MIT (and it is cool to go there!
I totally agree with this! I’ve had 4 kids go to $60K + private colleges and I can attest to the fact that they can be cheaper. My oldest applied to one of these and our state univ (Rutgers) and in the end the private school was significantly less due to their grants and merit based financial aid. In the case of my DS, he luckily got a 4 yr NROTC scholarship and then the school gave him 2 merit based scholarships that covered room and board.
Never base a college application decision based on cost.