Choosing a college?
Asked by OU812Do I tell my son to consider only colleges I can afford or those and colleges outside my budget?
Favorite Answer
Answered by Professor X
Here's my advice: Let your son know that he is welcome to apply to any college to which he thinks he can gain admission. But also let him know that when he receives financial aid packages from each college, some may be ruled out because they are not affordable for your family. I would feel badly if your son neglected to apply to some schools (particularly his aspirational schools) because he assumed they would be unaffordable. Oftentimes, elite schools have huge endowments, and are thus able to offer better financial support to admitted students than less selective schools. Well, that's my two cents, anyway. Best wishes to you and to your son.
Here's my advice: Let your son know that he is welcome to apply to any college to which he thinks he can gain admission. But also let him know that when he receives financial aid packages from each college, some may be ruled out because they are not affordable for your family. I would feel badly if your son neglected to apply to some schools (particularly his aspirational schools) because he assumed they would be unaffordable. Oftentimes, elite schools have huge endowments, and are thus able to offer better financial support to admitted students than less selective schools. Well, that's my two cents, anyway. Best wishes to you and to your son.
