Don't immediately rule out private schools based on "sticker shock" of their costs compared to state schools. What we found with DS, was that a number of private schools offered scholarships & grants to the point where they were cost-equivalent with state schools. While we didn't qualify for any "need based" financial aid (such as Pell grants), DS1 was still able attend the private school of his choice because of the aid package they offered.

On the other hand, DS2 is still paying off student loans after attending a state school. In short, you won't know what a school will offer until you apply and submit all the paperwork.

 

It was my top choice for schools over 15 years ago. But my parents nixed the idea b/c it was too far for them to drive... and I'm still aggravated about it to this day.

So, I would say if it was good then, why wouldn't it be a good idea now?

However, I will say the school I am attending online is amazing. It's costing me $4,000 per semester (that includes books)... But their online degree selection is not as wide as others, but they had exactly what I wanted.

Best of luck to you and your daughter!

 

I went to Warren Wilson which is also a 'work' school like Berea.
And yep.. every student had a job.
Organic gardens, electrical crew, kitchen crew, secretaries, the print shop, guest house etc...
I worked at the guest house, as the secretary to one of the heads of department etc..

I paid no room and board, just books and tuition.

Having a school where the students have such an important role creates a wonderful environment. A real sense of togetherness and an understanding of responsibility etc.. as well as tight groups of co-workers.

I would strongly suggest a college like Berea or Warren Wilson.

 

I've always heard good things about Berea even though I've never met a graduate.

 

I have a dear friend, a former member here, whose daughter goes there. By all accounts, it's an awesome school.

 

My daughter just got her first college acceptance yesterday to a Jesuit university and got a scholarship from then for more than half the tuition.
Private schools can have wonderful scholarships.
What about Miami? I know it's a state school but it kind of has that private school aura about it (or at least that was my impression).
I love Idaho but it would be nice to live in a state with good state schools.

 

That's where she wants to go -- Miami. Oxford is a good hour's drive from our house; she wants to move out right away. We would like her to go to the Middletown campus within commuting distance for at least the first year.

It's public - not a state school. Tuition is about 5K more per year than a state school and if she were to live off campus our savings wouldn't even pay for two years. If she commutes to WSU our savings will (probably) cover everything.

I guess that's why kids apply to more than one college - you never know how it'll turn out and then you can take your pick of what they offer. I never had that luxury; I was lucky to go to the two-year branch of UC near my parents' house.

 

Don't immediately rule out private schools based on "sticker shock" of their costs compared to state schools. What we found with DS, was that a number of private schools offered scholarships & grants to the point where they were cost-equivalent with state schools. While we didn't qualify for any "need based" financial aid (such as Pell grants), DS1 was still able attend the private school of his choice because of the aid package they offered.

On the other hand, DS2 is still paying off student loans after attending a state school. In short, you won't know what a school will offer until you apply and submit all the paperwork.

Yep. Private schools tend to have bigger endowments and therefore better financial aid packages. Having said that, we've got 3 kids in public universities in Ohio.
I'd love to send one of my kids to Berea, but so far no one's interested.

 

If I'd known there were colleges like Berea and Warren Wilson when I was that age, I'd have chosen them in a heartbeat. I wanted to leave home SO bad -- wasn't a good situation at home for me despite my parents being wonderful people. They'd saved for my college but only enough for 2 years at a state school, and my dad was a paranoid banker who was very anti-loan. He refused to co-sign for me because he was afraid he'd lose his bank job over it. Sounds silly now, but he was adamant. So I was almost convinced college was out of my reach. I even told the high school counselors as much, and they had to work pretty hard to convince me otherwise.

I think she's got a pretty good shot at going, as long as our financial blessings don't rule it out - basing it on GPA, her extracurriculars and an in-person interview. She's quite charismatic.

It's quite a drive - ~3 hours - but not too bad and we love KY.

We will definitely be scheduling a tour.

 

I want to reiterate not ruling out private schools. My youngest was actually offered enough scholarships to a private school that it would have been cheaper than the state school.

I recommend you all look long and hard at their programs and are they certified. What is their placement rate for graduates? What are her other options for a major at the school? I read a statistic ten years ago that said the average college student will have three different majors before they finally choose one.

My older two went to Purdue as did their wives. My youngest is at University of Southern Indiana. Financially it was a very sound decision. Time will tell about the other aspects but he does have good internships.

 

My neice goes to Berea - she got in based on her GPA and she LOVES it! She is a very talented girl and is involved in drama and music. I have heard nothing but good things from my sister from when they visited her there. Definately go and check it out for yourselves.

 

I'm with everyone else about not ruling out the Private schools. My daughter is trying to decide between Purdue and Butler. Butler being the 1st choice at the price tag of $47,000 a year. We do not have that kind of money but I've been told that there are many scholarships available at the private schools so we shall see. Decision letters for Purdue and Butler will be mailed the 7 & 14. All I can do is pray that something will work out. My daughter has worked very hard to maintain her number 1 spot in her class and I want her to go where she wants and SHE will be paying for the school not me. She wants to be a pediatric Neuroligist. Now if I was paying for it she would have to go to Ivy Tech or somewhere like that. I wish your daughter the best of luck in making the college decision

 

What is your daughter's field of study?

 

Berea has the 3rd largest endowment in the country. Another work study college in Ky is Alice Lloyd. It is very very rural. and no one is turned away for inabaliy to pay. I loved it when I went there

 

I'm with everyone else about not ruling out the Private schools. My daughter is trying to decide between Purdue and Butler. Butler being the 1st choice at the price tag of $47,000 a year. We do not have that kind of money but I've been told that there are many scholarships available at the private schools so we shall see. Decision letters for Purdue and Butler will be mailed the 7 & 14. All I can do is pray that something will work out. My daughter has worked very hard to maintain her number 1 spot in her class and I want her to go where she wants and SHE will be paying for the school not me. She wants to be a pediatric Neuroligist. Now if I was paying for it she would have to go to Ivy Tech or somewhere like that. I wish your daughter the best of luck in making the college decision

My DIL went to PU & then to IU for med school. Undergrad is the cheap part! The frustrating thing for her was she was number one in her class but my son got more scholarships. Worked out well though. He ssupported her thru med school.

 

Why do parents feel obligated to help their kids pay for college? Once a child is 18, they're on their own and can and are perfectly able of paying their way through college. I was told by my parents they couldn't afford to pay for my schooling after high school because they had spent all of their retirement $ on adopting me and my sister so I've been on my own ever since. I consider it a good life experience. I did graduate from school with two certificates many years later though, lol.

 

I'm not sure it's feeling obligated so much as parents know it's a wonderful gift to give. So, many of us give as much as we can. I've heard a lot of people gift their children the down payments for their first homes, as another example.

If I'd known there were colleges like Berea and Warren Wilson when I was that age

So my question is: How do we find colleges like this?

 

Why do parents feel obligated to help their kids pay for college? Once a child is 18, they're on their own and can and are perfectly able of paying their way through college. I was told by my parents they couldn't afford to pay for my schooling after high school because they had spent all of their retirement $ on adopting me and my sister so I've been on my own ever since. I consider it a good life experience. I did graduate from school with two certificates many years later though, lol.

Financial aid forms make them include our income. Statements from the colleges and the FAFSA say that we are expected to pay a specific amount.

But the fact of the matter is they are my children and always will be. I hope to be able to help them in some way until the day I die and I pray I die before I need their help. It is part of being a parent.

 

I graduated from a small private school.

It was what I needed at the time.

As others have said, do some shopping. Private schools tend to give good scholarships, even if you may not be a five-percenter.

Another thing...don't forget talent scholarships, even at state schools. Many state schools will wave out-of-state tuition, for kids in the band or choirs.

 

Here in MO, we have The School of the Ozarks, which sounds similar. I know a few people that graduated from there. I think it is a great idea. Besides, who wouldn't want to go school in the Ozarks?

 

The first question should be what does she want to go to school for and which schools provide that and go from there. I was not able to go into the field I wanted as I was told what school I had to go to. I was accepted at many top schools for the program I wanted with funding provided and was not allowed to attend. This is a choice that will set the course for years to come and sometimes it's not a choice to make solely because it's the one mom and dad want.

 

Warren Wilson College - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Warren Wilson College

This is how you find Warren Wilson.
It is amazing in so many ways.
13:1 student teacher ratio, growing their own food, the community service hours, the archeology dig of the Spanish settlement in the 1500's in NC, their ecology department, their theater and their arts, the amazing English department, the eco-dorms etc...

It is an amazing place. Beautiful, top of the line in technology, everyone gets along..they really do. It is a happy place that is very condusive to learning.

 

I googled "work colleges" and got this site: The Work Colleges Consortium. There are seven listed, including the ones mentioned in this thread. Many seem to only be for local students, mainly Appalachian. What a wonderful program!

My daughter is considering going into teaching special needs students, something to do with sign language, or commercial art & design / photography. But that can change.

 

Don't rule out UK without seeing if she qualifies for a scholarship there. My niece received a full scholarship there for 4 yrs and she was an A/B student.

 

Berea has the 3rd largest endowment in the country. Another work study college in Ky is Alice Lloyd. It is very very rural. and no one is turned away for inabaliy to pay. I loved it when I went there

I played baseball against both of these schools. Berea always seemed like a decent campus with good level headed kids there. Of course, that was 16 years ago. But my interaction with both of these schools was good. I never once had a bad impression of the students.

On par with other private schools, I'd say the "class" of students is more along the lines of a commuter school. Not that they aren't bright. But they aren't generally the best and brightest...otherwise they'd be on scholarship to a more prestigious school.

If the goal is to get a pretty good college education and not end up with giant loan bills and you don't think your kid is going to get scholarships, then I'd say that both Berea and Alice Lloyd are good schools to consider in the area.