high school girl doesn't get to be valedictorian

[AGDee]

Granted, this was a long time ago, but a friend of mine in OT school was 30 and divorced, which was much less common back in the mid-80's. Non-traditional students were a relatively new phenomenon. When she filed for financial aid they wanted her parents financial information. She was outraged. She'd been on her own since she was 20 but they wanted to base her financial aid on her parents' income? Nuts.

When I was talking to a co-worker about financial aid issues, since my daughter has Ivy League aspirations, she said it this way "FAFSA says you can contribute a certain amount no matter what the cost of the school is" and I realized she was right. Of course, my daughter could end up with tons of debt in student loans, but if she becomes the next JK Rowling (as she hopes to), that shouldn't be a problem.. lol.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AGDee

When I was talking to a co-worker about financial aid issues, since my daughter has Ivy League aspirations, she said it this way "FAFSA says you can contribute a certain amount no matter what the cost of the school is" and I realized she was right. Of course, my daughter could end up with tons of debt in student loans, but if she becomes the next JK Rowling (as she hopes to), that shouldn't be a problem.. lol.

If your daughter is serious about going to an Ivy, most of them have changed their financial aid policies where students from families making below a certain amount (forget what it is offhand, but it's a pretty average middle to upper-middle class 2-family income) don't have loans as part of their aid packages. She's still a few years off from college, so more of their peer institutions will probably step up to the plate by then.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

If your daughter is serious about going to an Ivy, most of them have changed their financial aid policies where students from families making below a certain amount (forget what it is offhand, but it's a pretty average middle to upper-middle class 2-family income) don't have loans as part of their aid packages. She's still a few years off from college, so more of their peer institutions will probably step up to the plate by then.

I've been following that trend carefully. I think it will also make it that much harder to get into an Ivy because of those policies because more people will realize that an Ivy is financially available, so I'm trying to prepare her and convince her that University of Michigan is NOT below her and is still a highly respected institution that would prepare her for a career in writing/journalism... LOL. I only know of one kid ever from our school district who has been admitted to an Ivy and, while I don't want to dash her dreams, I don't want her being grossly disappointed if she has to "settle" for Michigan (besides, there are no Alpha Gam chapters at any of the Ivy's currently and we do have a chapter with a big beautiful house at Michigan!) Seriously, she did become enamored with Ann Arbor when we went there for a book signing, so she'll probably be fine with going to Michigan if she doesn't make it into an Ivy. She was fascinated with the coffee shops filled with students reading and doing their homework. She was completely thrilled when she saw bulletin boards filled with fliers for poetry reading sessions, etc. A literary geek, that's what she is.

She played (band) at the high school graduation last night and said that all 3 valedictorians gave speeches. (getting back on topic) I don't see why any district would feel they had to have only one valedictorian in this day and age.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I've been following that trend carefully. I think it will also make it that much harder to get into an Ivy because of those policies because more people will realize that an Ivy is financially available, so I'm trying to prepare her and convince her that University of Michigan is NOT below her and is still a highly respected institution that would prepare her for a career in writing/journalism... LOL. I only know of one kid ever from our school district who has been admitted to an Ivy and, while I don't want to dash her dreams, I don't want her being grossly disappointed if she has to "settle" for Michigan Seriously, she did become enamored with Ann Arbor when we went there for a book signing, so she'll probably be fine with going to Michigan if she doesn't make it into an Ivy.

Michigan is a great school, and it would set her up for a great career, or admission to a fantastic grad school if that's her plan. BUT...as far as most Ivies go, she's at a distinct advantage in that she's from the middle of the country, and not from the Northeast Megapolis or Coastal California. I interview kids for my undergrad, and it's really tough...if you're from NYC and half the kids in your graduating class are applying to your dream school.