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The thread where I detail my college thingies:
Rutgers news: I have received a National Scholarship for a good chunk of money. Boy, when I got that letter, did I squeal!
The amount of money involved is very scary, but it was a real ego boost to get a scholarship for a good amount yearly. Easy to feel like a grain of sand in a big, big beach at times.
Note: From now on, I'll just bump this thread whenever I have new news.
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Congrats on the news! I'm going through the same process right now, except with graduate schools.
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Heard from McGill: Got into the Science department, and no decision yet on Arts + Science (together) department. Also heard from UMASS Amherst -- I got into their honors program!
It is strange to have the feeling switch on me all of a sudden; now I am wanted. Why, I even received a call from University of Maryland, congratulating me. It made me feel nice, but I fear that I inadvertently hurt someone else's feelings by mentioning it.
There's another thing. I've started to realize that one should keep these things private to a degree; the idea that even if I do get into an Ivy League school such as Brown but I can't go hurts. It's all about the Benjamins, and the "lower" level (in prestige, but maybe not education) schools are willing to give me some.
Further, I would probably be against stiff academic competition in Brown, whereas in other schools, not Ivy League, the students may be a lot more relaxed. Which is a plus and a con.
My father was in the top 5 in his class at Moscow University; my mother was in the top 10. I kinda envisioned that as impossible--to be the top in a school that huge with so much talent? Will I live up to their standard? Genetically speaking, I know I can, but my current level education is not where it should be. Nor are my working habits.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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I'm guessing you don't live in NJ, otherwise the tuition for Rutgers would be considerably lower, I'd imagine. Certainly after an $8,000 scholarship.
What sort of program are you looking to pursue? as a Rutgers grad (RC '00), I can give you some insight if you want to email me. While I can't really offer compare/contrast with other universities, I can at least give you an insider's perspective on Rutgers (New Brunswick) life. I also still live within a 5 minute drive of campus.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
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I've headed to Rutgers, walked around, sat on buses and trains for 12 hours in one day. Fun.
Not great, not terrible.
In other news, besides for receiving a generous scholarship from Maryland, College Park, I have been waitlisted from Brandeis. It is as though a heavy mist of anti-aircraft fire has shredded my wings, yet the vast majority of airplanes can take their share of flak. A check to my rampant egotism, anyways, at least...
Motivational as well. Sugar pills taste good, but only a bitter one will get you up from your couch. Sure, it may only be to vomit in the kitchen sink, but on the way back, you'll see all sorts of new sights.
My spirits aren't at their max, then, but being grounded is nice. More incentive to work harder, to learn more, to write more, to stretch my hand further.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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quote:I even received a call from University of Maryland, congratulating me.
I made a whole bunch of those phone calls (for my school, not U Maryland) tonight! Nice to know they make people feel special - I was discouraged by the number of answering machines I got.
Posts: 3420 | Registered: Jun 2002
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I got into Brown today. Big shout-out to Euripides and Raia!
Anywho, now starting to really consider where to go and what to do.
It is scary. The "worse" schools offer cheap prices. The better schools offer "Better" education, and bigger debt. A pain in my stomach.
Sigh.
Dragon: The call did make me feel special (though not from you of course), and definitely improved the day.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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You can try to get the "better" schools to offer (or increase their offer) of merit or academic scholarships. (Need-based they will have little or no flexibility on, and you should have very similar packages from each school.) If they want you enough, they may be willing to pay to get you.
Call (or email) the department that you plan to major in, and see if you can reach the chair. Explain that you would like to attend their school, but the finances are much steeper than at <other good school>.
You may just get an apologetic brushoff, but I know some people who managed to get quite nice scholarships that way.
Also, if you are going to take out loans, check out several lenders. Interest rates vary on private loans, and various fees and such vary even on the government-regulated ones.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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That sounds like an excellent idea, rivka. Thanks!
To be honest, the whole process makes me sad. I would love to go to Brown. But I can imagine hundreds of 100$ bills floating around me, laughing. --you're in debt, such in big debt. Eh. McGill, far off in Icy Canada, is cheap and offers great education; yet it is impersonal, big, and foreboding.
And in other news, other kids I know will get to go off to the schools they love, that fill them with hope. Stern Business school, on its website, has lines like "Academic Power" and "Stellar Students." Or: "The best," and "New York City."
Things that make me sigh for want.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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In general, I am against taking out loans when there is another option. However, when it is to finance one's education, I believe it is sometimes perfectly reasonable to do so.
If you honestly believe, for example, that attending the more expensive option will (most likely) increase your earning power, then it's a good investment. If you don't, but believe the difference in the experience is worth the extra money, I would also consider it.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Rutgers? I live within walking/bicycling distance. It's very nice here "on the other side of the river".
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I'm going through the same process right now, except with graduate schools.
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