Hilda Said:

I'm so confused! What am I supposed to do?

We Answered:

If the issue is that your mother doesn't want to keep paying for you to go to college and your father does, you should ask them to talk to each other, because what you do will depend greatly on what they're willing to do. Don't decide you're too average to accomplish anything, but do try to decide for yourself what you really want to accomplish, trying to separate yourself from the pressures coming from either parent. If you're already on a college track and looking forward to it, don't let comparisons to "elite" students throw you off. You don't have to be perfect to get a lot out of college, and you may even improve once you're there.

However, you do need to know if you're going to have to pay for it yourself, because if you are that's a whole different ballgame and would involve getting a job first, a real job that you can live on, and putting yourself through school part-time. If your dad is willing to support you into school and you want to do that, I don't think you should let your mother guilt you into giving that up. She may be jealous because she didn't take that opportunity or perhaps feel like she had it. On the other hand, if the conflict with your mother is just too much to handle, you may actually want to get out of the house, support yourself, and put yourself through school. But as I say, you can't do that decently working as a cashier. My advice would be to take what your dad is offering and go to school.

Chris Said:

Grad School financial aid-no scholarships, only LOANS-expensive school, no money, no current debt- Any advice?

We Answered:

I'm in the same boat as you. In fact, I also just got into the Elliott School @ GWU.

I'd suggest that you contact the Student Financial Assistance Department. They've been pretty helpful with my questions so far.

http://my.gwu.edu/mod/deptdir/index.cfm?…

You can also try the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships.

http://www.gwu.edu/~fellows/

I believe that cost you quoted includes their estimate for living expenses, which is pretty decent IMO, unless you have a car. Living in DC isn't cheap.

The usual payback period is 10 years, but you can get an extended time frame depending on the source. You don't have to start paying back Stafford loans until 6 months post-graduation. My impression is that you want Stafford loans if possible. The variable interest rates that often accompany private loans are something to be avoided, especially in these uncertain times. This link has a calculator that can calculate the amount that you'll have to pay back each month. I can't vouch for its accuracy.

http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/sla…

See you in the fall! :P

Jackie Said:

Chances of getting into the following Universities?

We Answered:

If you craft your application well, with your credentials, I think the schools you listed will be a breeze to get into.

Christina Said:

What are my chances of getting into the following Universities?

We Answered:

Um, what are you doing applying to just American and GW level schools? No offense to those schools, but student with your stats, ECs, and especially with your Unique Activities, is Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton type material. If these schools are as far as you want to go, then go ahead, but really, you could apply to much more selective schools and have great chances.

You are a match for all of them. I'd be very surprised if you didn't get in to every one. Expect to get a lot of scholarship money from American, if not the other schools as well.

You might want to check out http://talk.collegeconfedential.com (if I messed up typing that and it goes nowhere, just google college confidential). The people there do great chances and can recommend some schools that would be reaches for you.