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is being accepted and not being able to afford it. Allow me to explain. I applied as an international student without applying for finaid because I would have no chance if I did. I still figured my chances were slim, so I didn't expect to have to deal with the problem of paying for it. Well the gods have a cruel sense of humor and I am accepted. I really really REALLY want to go, but its impossible for us to pay $40,000 per year. My other option is the University of Texas. My intended major is eletrical engineering. So now should I:

1. Beg Cornell for money, providing amusement for people in student financial office
2. send a letter to cornell explaining the difficulties their system place on international students
3. send a shorter and more to the point letter saying, in font 40, •••• YOU
4. none of the above, just go to UT and be bitter

Any comments would be appreciated

By Stupid_Guy (Stupid_Guy) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 03:15 pm: Edit

I would go with choice 2. But instead of sending it to Cornell, send it to the supreme court. After all, it's not the university's fault that we pay uncle sam taxes but getting no fafsa :/

By Nowhereman (Nowhereman) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 03:17 pm: Edit

Supid guy, where r u going to college? Are you getting aid or paying full?

By Internationalcc (Internationalcc) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 03:26 pm: Edit

Where are you from and how much can you pay?

By Rogerevans (Rogerevans) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 03:58 pm: Edit

I would see if Cornell financial aid folks can provide any avenues for loans, etc. This obviously comes up all the time, and President Lehman is committed to ongoing internationalization of university. I think the difference between the two schools is well worth exploring different financing options.

By Idonotcare (Idonotcare) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 04:07 pm: Edit

choice 3

By Stupid_Guy (Stupid_Guy) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 04:33 pm: Edit

I'm want to go to cornell. my dream school. but can't go unless I get some kind of financial aid. as you can see, I'm probably as bitter as you are.

By Synchrogal (Synchrogal) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:11 pm: Edit

a lot of schools, if you call them, will try to work with you for financial aid. i dont know about cornell, but im sure if you explain the situation, they will try to do SOMETHING to help you. if not, then maybe you can work out some work study program with the fin. aid office or something. if THAT doesnt work, then i say, go will option #3 to finish them up for all their help... ;-)

By Idonotcare (Idonotcare) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:13 pm: Edit

remember to put some white powder in the envelope too.

By Nowhereman (Nowhereman) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:42 pm: Edit

Thanks for all the replies.

The thing is, I didn't turn in any financial information during application. I didn't do that international financial certification thing for visa. I've already written an email to the college of engineering, figuring they'd care more than the finaid people. Should I talk with the financial office instead?

I don't want to accumulate $100,000+ in debts just to go to college. UT is ranked about the same as Cornell in engineering (10th), and I've been accepted into the honors program there. Is the name of an Ivy college worth that much for grad school admission?

I'll probably just end up going to UT. Life sucks so I guess the sooner you get used to it the less it'll hurt in the future. Oh well at least I havent been diagnosed with cancer or anything.

By Rogerevans (Rogerevans) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 07:02 pm: Edit

Actually, Cornell is 9th and UT is 11th, but that is not enough of a difference...I would still argue that the experience of going to a place like Cornell is worth the cost. Do well at UT and you can get into a good grad school. But you will never have the unquantifiables that separate the educational experience of being at a world class institution. Try hard to get the funds. Borrow the rest. I did it, and I am glad, even when I had to borrow more for Harvard and Columbia afterwards. It changes your life, and it pays off.

By Emperoriv (Emperoriv) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 07:04 pm: Edit

money isnt everything...


wtf am i talking about? IT IS!

By Nowhereman (Nowhereman) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:33 pm: Edit

This really sucks. Does anyone know of any good loan programs for international students?

Take a loan equal in amount to that of buying a house to go to an Ivy school or just go to a decent state school. Either way I'm afraid ten years down the road I will regret my decision. I'm emotionally inclined to shoulder the huge burden of the loan to go to a dream school that I've worked so hard for. On the other hand this seems like exactly the kind of emotional but poorly reasoned decision characterestic of stupid teens. My parents know how much this means to me, and I know if I want it enough they will let me go to Cornell even though there is no way to afford it. To go to Cornell will be to place my fantasies above the welfare of the family, a very selfish and immature choice. But to not go I may be missing the opportunity of a lifetime, resigning myself to a lower social caste. Oh •••• this sucks.

By Sarahndipity (Sarahndipity) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:49 pm: Edit

>< Cornell took fafsa's EFC.. added 11K.. and expects us to pay that amount

Ivies sure have a warped definition of the word "Aid"..

By Chini (Chini) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:50 pm: Edit

Even without financial aid, apply for student loans (Signature, Stafford, PLUS, etc) for your first year and then make sure you get your application for finain in on time next year! Certainly u won't make the same mistake twice (the definition of stupidity)...
Don't despare, hope is always there. :oD

By Stupid_Guy (Stupid_Guy) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:56 pm: Edit

ahhh stop all that whining and complaining. I'm sure as an international, we are probably better off going to any college in the US than in our own country, where kids study until they become their leprous feelings, where sleep is long since a nostalgic memory. But alas, even they are probably better off than the poor kid in some part of Africa. where pain cracks the day, fear shrouds the night, ravaged by famine, crushed by death, where living skeleton crawls, with deformed heads and bellies, with a complexion that twists until it cracks, crying for the merciless sun, torn by the thought of tomorrow when the same hopeless eyes stare again at emptiness.

isn't it nice when all men are created equal?

By Justinmeche (Justinmeche) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 11:20 pm: Edit

I transfered out of Cornell to a state school in Ohio. I live in PA. To tell you the truth, my loans for the state school are nearly just as much for Cornell since my state school does not give me any grants. My total loans for my last year at Cornell totaled $12,000. For the state school I took out $9000 to cover the entire cost. They offered me a Parent Plus loan but that is worthless because your parents need a good credit rating and repayment starts 60 days after disbursement.

When I finish college I will have about $53,000 in loans plus interest. Hopefully my mechanical engineering degree will allow me to pay that off without much effort. Right now I am fortunate to have a very generous relative who will cosign my loans.