Last week, I officially sent my enrollment deposit to the University of Notre Dame. Somehow, I thought everything after making the decision would be all down hill - however, there still lies the question of "how am I going to pay for it?".
When I wrote the first blog entry while filling out federal aid papers, I didn't fully understand exactly what I was doing. I think I was under the impression that receiving federal aid meant the government would give me money because I needed it - it didn't really occur to me that they would, but I'd have to pay it back, i.e. student loans - I just didn't make the connection.
On Friday night, I had to complete an online loan counseling session that taught me what my federal loan is and when I'm expected to pay it back. I'm getting two kinds of loans, a federal direct loan for $3,500 a year, which is from the U.S. Department of Education, and a federal Perkins loan for $2,400 a year, which comes from the university. In total, I'm borrowing $5,900 annually as of right now - I may have to borrow less depending on variable expenses like transportation and books, etc. The total estimated cost of a year at Notre Dame is about $53,000. For the first year, I'm getting about $32,000 a year on scholarship. Depending on if I decide to do the work study program for another $2,000 a year doing odd jobs for the university, we have to pay the balance of whatever's left.
However, my parents definitely don't have some $20,000 just laying around every year. So how do we make the difference?
Get another loan.
The loan process is actually rather efficient. It sounds rather scary to owe so much money, but the payment schedule is pretty reasonable. Upon graduating from Notre Dame, I'll owe about $24,000. After graduation, I have a six month "grace period" before I have to make my first payment within 60 days of the end of the grace period. I can choose from a range of payment plans that spread the total over 10-30 years. According to the chart, if I choose the standard plan, with my total I'll pay about $300 a month and be done in less than 10 years.
However, I'm not entirely sure where I'm going to get the money for med school...but I think we're just going to have to worry about that later, considering the idea of coming up with another $200,000 is not a very pretty idea.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Your Spotless Instincts are Valid
College tours: Day 4, Case Western Reserve University
Some good news is that I'm actually getting used to flying - most effectively when I'm knocked out cold. The smaller planes really aren't as bad, though. We left South Bend yesterday morning around 6am and flew to Detroit, Michigan (side note, this was the only airport that played a periodical recording about looking after yourself and what to do if someone looks sketchy). Then we flew to Cleveland, Ohio and took a $45 cab ride to Case. We stayed in an on-campus hotel called the Glidden House, which used to be some old historical building that they renovated into a lovely, classy little bed and breakfast place. I called Mara in the lobby and she met us there to go for lunch. She took us downtown to a section of the city called Little Italy, a cluster of Italian restaurants down the street from campus. After lunch, she showed me her dorm room and the residential area of campus. I had been slightly worried about visiting Cleveland after all the horror stories I've heard, but I actually found the city agreeable - simpler than New York, classier than Atlanta, and of course, more exciting than Auburn (or South Bend, for that matter - but more on that later). The campus area is definitely safe - especially with four different police departments looking out for the city. I could tell my dad didn't like the city though, despite it's good qualities, like research developments and unbelievable architecture - there are buildings that are built with minimal right angles, bricks and windows curving inwards except to meet a few city code regulations - I'll try to post pictures eventually.
Today, we got up early, had breakfast at the hotel, then headed down to the Case reception.
The biggest difference I noted between the Case and Notre Dame tours is that Case was much flashier with their welcome. They gave me souvenirs, colorful pamphlets, bookstore coupons, and were just so...accommodating and welcome. Notre Dame was much quieter - much more subtle.
Which leads me to the ultimate differences between the campuses and their respective cities. Notre Dame in South Bend was located towards the very outskirts of the city. If you were walking, you could tell when the campus was getting closer because everything would drop away - buildings, restaurants, etc - and leave a vast span of green grass (the only iffy part is that the next thing you see is a few areas fenced off with barbed wire - still not entirely sure what their obsession with the stuff is). But even after that, there's a bit more of a walk before you actually get to campus buildings. Everything there was peacefully quiet - respectful, yet friendly and welcoming. And there is literally so much life - but in the form of trees and grass and flowers and whatever those birds living on the lake were (ducks or geese or swans, etc.).
Case Western in Cleveland, on the other hand was completely different. The city has life in its own way - crowded with people who are constantly pushing and learning and improving - my definition of a large city. Places like that tend to be prosperous because they put so much effort into attracting people and building new things - good, honorable intentions. My favorite thing that I took note of was a two part makeshift bus bench that was actually two concrete word cutouts that said "Change Things". However, the city is divided, as most large cities are. There are safe parts, like campus and restaurants and churches, but if you go too far past any of those things - you're in a good amount of trouble.
Another largely attractive thing about Case's developmental progress is that so much of it is open to students. There are so many programs that delegate jobs and research opportunities and travelling primarily to Case students. There is no question that opportunities are available.
It's no question that Case has a better research program - you can go from undergrad to med school or law school, or grad studies all in the same campus - most things are guaranteed, if not promised. But Notre Dame, in contrast, is largely based on faith - in more ways than one in this situation. The way I see it, graduating from Notre Dame could lead to going on to a great med school, like Hannah. I could travel and do work to help developing countries. I feel like there's so much available - but I can't see it. I have no proof that the opportunities are there for me. And what happens after Notre Dame depends on how well I do in undergrad, anyway - and there's no way I can tell what's going to happen.
While faith is something that I lack, yet aspire towards, is it really enough grounds to base a future on?
Some good news is that I'm actually getting used to flying - most effectively when I'm knocked out cold. The smaller planes really aren't as bad, though. We left South Bend yesterday morning around 6am and flew to Detroit, Michigan (side note, this was the only airport that played a periodical recording about looking after yourself and what to do if someone looks sketchy). Then we flew to Cleveland, Ohio and took a $45 cab ride to Case. We stayed in an on-campus hotel called the Glidden House, which used to be some old historical building that they renovated into a lovely, classy little bed and breakfast place. I called Mara in the lobby and she met us there to go for lunch. She took us downtown to a section of the city called Little Italy, a cluster of Italian restaurants down the street from campus. After lunch, she showed me her dorm room and the residential area of campus. I had been slightly worried about visiting Cleveland after all the horror stories I've heard, but I actually found the city agreeable - simpler than New York, classier than Atlanta, and of course, more exciting than Auburn (or South Bend, for that matter - but more on that later). The campus area is definitely safe - especially with four different police departments looking out for the city. I could tell my dad didn't like the city though, despite it's good qualities, like research developments and unbelievable architecture - there are buildings that are built with minimal right angles, bricks and windows curving inwards except to meet a few city code regulations - I'll try to post pictures eventually.
Today, we got up early, had breakfast at the hotel, then headed down to the Case reception.
The biggest difference I noted between the Case and Notre Dame tours is that Case was much flashier with their welcome. They gave me souvenirs, colorful pamphlets, bookstore coupons, and were just so...accommodating and welcome. Notre Dame was much quieter - much more subtle.
Which leads me to the ultimate differences between the campuses and their respective cities. Notre Dame in South Bend was located towards the very outskirts of the city. If you were walking, you could tell when the campus was getting closer because everything would drop away - buildings, restaurants, etc - and leave a vast span of green grass (the only iffy part is that the next thing you see is a few areas fenced off with barbed wire - still not entirely sure what their obsession with the stuff is). But even after that, there's a bit more of a walk before you actually get to campus buildings. Everything there was peacefully quiet - respectful, yet friendly and welcoming. And there is literally so much life - but in the form of trees and grass and flowers and whatever those birds living on the lake were (ducks or geese or swans, etc.).
Case Western in Cleveland, on the other hand was completely different. The city has life in its own way - crowded with people who are constantly pushing and learning and improving - my definition of a large city. Places like that tend to be prosperous because they put so much effort into attracting people and building new things - good, honorable intentions. My favorite thing that I took note of was a two part makeshift bus bench that was actually two concrete word cutouts that said "Change Things". However, the city is divided, as most large cities are. There are safe parts, like campus and restaurants and churches, but if you go too far past any of those things - you're in a good amount of trouble.
Another largely attractive thing about Case's developmental progress is that so much of it is open to students. There are so many programs that delegate jobs and research opportunities and travelling primarily to Case students. There is no question that opportunities are available.
It's no question that Case has a better research program - you can go from undergrad to med school or law school, or grad studies all in the same campus - most things are guaranteed, if not promised. But Notre Dame, in contrast, is largely based on faith - in more ways than one in this situation. The way I see it, graduating from Notre Dame could lead to going on to a great med school, like Hannah. I could travel and do work to help developing countries. I feel like there's so much available - but I can't see it. I have no proof that the opportunities are there for me. And what happens after Notre Dame depends on how well I do in undergrad, anyway - and there's no way I can tell what's going to happen.
While faith is something that I lack, yet aspire towards, is it really enough grounds to base a future on?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Would You Stay if She Promised You Heaven?
College tour: Day 2, University of Notre Dame
We arrived in South Bend, Indiana yesterday afternoon at around 3:00 or so. And I must say, flying for the first time in fourteen years was not pleasant by any means. We flew from Atlanta to Cincinnati, Ohio at around 11:45, then got on a smaller plane to get to South Bend at 2:00. The first flight was definitely the worst - I now know how weak of a physical tolerance I have :/ But the second flight wasn't as bad, since it was shorter and didn't need to reach a very high altitude in order to get to the next state.
After we settled in and had dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant across the street from the hotel, we walked down to the Notre Dame campus to get a feel of it on our own. The landscape there is BEAUTIFUL. Everything is so well taken care of. Notable things we saw at first walkthrough were: the Grotto, which is a small cave-like shrine to the Virgin Mary that people can go to and light candles for good vibes or to pray the rosary, etc. A statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched that had the phrase "Venite ad me omnes" (Come unto me all ye who are weary) engraved underneath it. Behind him and to his sides were weeds and dark, morbid-looking plants, but under the span of his arms is a spread of bright, blooming tulips. And, of course, the Golden Dome, which is the main building, but earned its nickname for the giant gilded gold dome on top.
Today we woke up early and had breakfast, then went back to campus for our official tour. First, we stopped by the Grotto and lit candles; mostly for fun, since neither my parents nor I are actually very religious at all. Then, we went to the Dome to meet our groups. I chose the tour guide Hannah, a senior at Notre Dame who majored in biology and is going to the University of Chicago for medical school in the fall (side note: she also got into UPenn Med). The first thing she told us was that the Golden Dome is gilded in real 23 karat gold, which is redone every year so always looks perfect. They use about a fist full of gold and hammer it until its paper thin, then cover the dome. And apparently, they take a little bit of the old gold and put flecks in the seal of your diploma when you graduate so that you can take a little piece of the dome with you when you leave.
Other notable things we saw/learned today include: Hannah told us that the Jesus statue I mentioned before is nicknamed "Jump, Mom, I'll catch you!" because there's a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the Golden Dome, and Jesus has his arms outstretched - you get the picture. I thought it was cute. We also went through the library; the reading area is called "the fishbowl" because it's surrounded by glass and people in the lobby can stare at you if they want. On the back of the library is a huge mural of Jesus with his arms over his head. Ironically, this is directly across from the stadium, and so the mural is nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus". Also, the library is what the castle in Shrek was modeled after! Apparently, the script of Shrek was written by two Notre Dame graduates, who put a whole bunch of inside jokes about the campus in it. For example, Shrek is actually modeled after one of the science professors who is Scottish and has a thick accent, and King Farquad was named after one of the residential halls, which is nicknamed the Far Quad because it's pretty much on the other side of a lake. Oh, and the new science building cost over 70 million dollars!
Tomorrow, unfortunately, is another double flight. We leave South Bend around 8am and fly to Detroit, Michigan, then get on a connecting flight to Cleveland, Ohio. Apparently it was cheaper to fly around Ohio instead of going straight there. Then on Monday we'll go to Case Western. More on that to come.
We arrived in South Bend, Indiana yesterday afternoon at around 3:00 or so. And I must say, flying for the first time in fourteen years was not pleasant by any means. We flew from Atlanta to Cincinnati, Ohio at around 11:45, then got on a smaller plane to get to South Bend at 2:00. The first flight was definitely the worst - I now know how weak of a physical tolerance I have :/ But the second flight wasn't as bad, since it was shorter and didn't need to reach a very high altitude in order to get to the next state.
After we settled in and had dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant across the street from the hotel, we walked down to the Notre Dame campus to get a feel of it on our own. The landscape there is BEAUTIFUL. Everything is so well taken care of. Notable things we saw at first walkthrough were: the Grotto, which is a small cave-like shrine to the Virgin Mary that people can go to and light candles for good vibes or to pray the rosary, etc. A statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched that had the phrase "Venite ad me omnes" (Come unto me all ye who are weary) engraved underneath it. Behind him and to his sides were weeds and dark, morbid-looking plants, but under the span of his arms is a spread of bright, blooming tulips. And, of course, the Golden Dome, which is the main building, but earned its nickname for the giant gilded gold dome on top.
Today we woke up early and had breakfast, then went back to campus for our official tour. First, we stopped by the Grotto and lit candles; mostly for fun, since neither my parents nor I are actually very religious at all. Then, we went to the Dome to meet our groups. I chose the tour guide Hannah, a senior at Notre Dame who majored in biology and is going to the University of Chicago for medical school in the fall (side note: she also got into UPenn Med). The first thing she told us was that the Golden Dome is gilded in real 23 karat gold, which is redone every year so always looks perfect. They use about a fist full of gold and hammer it until its paper thin, then cover the dome. And apparently, they take a little bit of the old gold and put flecks in the seal of your diploma when you graduate so that you can take a little piece of the dome with you when you leave.
Other notable things we saw/learned today include: Hannah told us that the Jesus statue I mentioned before is nicknamed "Jump, Mom, I'll catch you!" because there's a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the Golden Dome, and Jesus has his arms outstretched - you get the picture. I thought it was cute. We also went through the library; the reading area is called "the fishbowl" because it's surrounded by glass and people in the lobby can stare at you if they want. On the back of the library is a huge mural of Jesus with his arms over his head. Ironically, this is directly across from the stadium, and so the mural is nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus". Also, the library is what the castle in Shrek was modeled after! Apparently, the script of Shrek was written by two Notre Dame graduates, who put a whole bunch of inside jokes about the campus in it. For example, Shrek is actually modeled after one of the science professors who is Scottish and has a thick accent, and King Farquad was named after one of the residential halls, which is nicknamed the Far Quad because it's pretty much on the other side of a lake. Oh, and the new science building cost over 70 million dollars!
Tomorrow, unfortunately, is another double flight. We leave South Bend around 8am and fly to Detroit, Michigan, then get on a connecting flight to Cleveland, Ohio. Apparently it was cheaper to fly around Ohio instead of going straight there. Then on Monday we'll go to Case Western. More on that to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)