It could have changed but that's how I remember it - you got to register ahead of the rest of your class but not before classes above you. So gen eds could still be a pain.
College choices-Academic
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It could have changed but that's how I remember it - you got to register ahead of the rest of your class but not before classes above you. So gen eds could still be a pain.
Congrats to you and your son! It's incredible to think about how that single PSAT score will pay dividends for the rest of his life.
I was lucky enough to attend ISU on a full tuition, room, and board Nat'l Merit scholarship when they still offered it. I considered some of the more prestigious schools and others that had slightly better National Merit offers (for example Oklahoma at the time offered 5 years full tuition, room, and board plus a stipend IIRC) but chose ISU in the end.
Depending on your financial situation, I'd strongly lean toward the full ride. It makes a big difference to spend your time and mental energy on the college experience without worrying about accumulating debt and working a part time job. Not to mention the massive benefit of graduating debt free (then he'll get to focus his money on paying off his future spouse's debt instead!)
Assuming most of the full ride offers are similar, I'd recommend choosing one that has a strong co-op program, especially if he goes into a STEM field. My two cents.
I was lucky enough to attend ISU on a full tuition, room, and board Nat'l Merit scholarship when they still offered it. I considered some of the more prestigious schools and others that had slightly better National Merit offers (for example Oklahoma at the time offered 5 years full tuition, room, and board plus a stipend IIRC) but chose ISU in the end.
Depending on your financial situation, I'd strongly lean toward the full ride. It makes a big difference to spend your time and mental energy on the college experience without worrying about accumulating debt and working a part time job. Not to mention the massive benefit of graduating debt free (then he'll get to focus his money on paying off his future spouse's debt instead!)
Assuming most of the full ride offers are similar, I'd recommend choosing one that has a strong co-op program, especially if he goes into a STEM field. My two cents.
Don't give up on the Ivies, Stanford and U of Chicago.
If he can get in and you make less than $150,000 then financial aid kicks in. There is no academic money at these places - all based upon financial status.
If less than $75,000 in income then he goes for free.
These places will open more doors, but after first job it doesn't matter.
If he can get in and you make less than $150,000 then financial aid kicks in. There is no academic money at these places - all based upon financial status.
If less than $75,000 in income then he goes for free.
These places will open more doors, but after first job it doesn't matter.
There are a few fairly high ranked private schools that offer full-ride merit scholarships or close to it. So I think you should explore those but it can be tricky if he falls in love with a place that then ends up the most expensive. It's up to you but I wouldn't go too cheap with the best giveaways like laptops, over the top dorms, etc. If you can get the cost <$5000 or even $10000, I think it might be worth it.
A lot of this depends on your son's career aspirations. Is your son more the hard worker or more the naturally brilliant type? Is he interested in academia? Does he value doing cutting-edge research & development or would he be happy with a more traditional engineering job? Does he have either the software or finance bug? You can get the coursework at any good college so you really have to determine if research opportunities, internships, or relationships with faculty in a specialized area would be worth it. For most, I'd say it's likely not, especially undergrad. And for those it is worth it, you have to have a real passion. For instance, for those interested in academia, it's competitive and you'll likely make less money. But for certain people, the opportunity to do never before done things is worth it.
A lot of this depends on your son's career aspirations. Is your son more the hard worker or more the naturally brilliant type? Is he interested in academia? Does he value doing cutting-edge research & development or would he be happy with a more traditional engineering job? Does he have either the software or finance bug? You can get the coursework at any good college so you really have to determine if research opportunities, internships, or relationships with faculty in a specialized area would be worth it. For most, I'd say it's likely not, especially undergrad. And for those it is worth it, you have to have a real passion. For instance, for those interested in academia, it's competitive and you'll likely make less money. But for certain people, the opportunity to do never before done things is worth it.
Definitely explore all the options at top flight schools. Check this link for example with several of the top schools that guarantee full support above the calculated family contribution:https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-that-offer-complete-financial-aid
So much of this depends on your son. If he’s the type who wants to challenge himself and likes to work/compete, he may end up extremely unhappy at a school like CFU or Texas Tech or Florida State. My impression is that U of Florida is at least the prime state school in Florida, so your son might find more peers of a similar attitude there.
On the other hand, if he’s not extremely ambitious and just happens to test really well, and will be happy working a ‘normal’ job and not defining himself by his career, then sure, take the money and run!
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