​The Ultimate Battle: Decision Letters and the Realities of Financial Aid

​By Jethel Hernandez, Senior

It was the first university to release its decision. The email had appeared in my email during second period…I was so nervous I could not open it immediately. What if I had gotten rejected? Could I dim my screen enough so the people next to me could not read the directive: “Sorry, we are sorry to inform you…” I decided I would open the email when I got home; my room was my safe space and no one would have to know regardless of what happened.
 
Throughout the entire day I kept begging the clock to speed faster…12:15PM arrived after an eternity. (Fast-forward) I am sitting in my room praying to the God of college acceptance letters (I want to believe that someone is looking out for us poor seniors), and finally I click on the view status bottom: WHAT!!!! I had gotten in.
 
Immediately, I began to imagine myself at the school, #collegename2021…Oh!!! Walking to my lectures, talking intellectually while holding a latte (you must drink coffee in college, it is mandatory). The pride I felt was immeasurable.
 
However, this feeling of euphoria didn’t last for long. It was time to look at the financial aid offer (and let be honest with you, there is no god or saint that will help with that) and BUMMMM! All I could think about was: Is this a joke?
 
Hence, for this month’s article, I have decided to provide a list of tips for what comes RIGHT after you get your acceptance letters. (The list may be a bit specific to circumstances similar to mine).
 
I got accepted, now what?!
 

1. Review your financial aid offer. I would recommend you revise it with Ms. Pedroso, or call the school’s financial aid office. There are many hidden numbers that you must take into account to have the REAL cost of attendance.
2. After doing step 1, consider the various school’s financial offer and study the amount of loans you or parents will have to take out.
3. If you are planning on going to med school or law school, consider that you will have to take substantial loans after your undergraduate degree. Hence, ask yourselves is it worth it to take those loans out now for your bachelor’s degree?
4. If you do decide to take out the loans, study these aspects: eligibility requirements, time to pay off, interest accrual, renewal, elegibility the following years. Student loans are a big responsibility, so you must study all options. STUDENT LOANS ARE THE WORST LOANS.
5. Call the financial aid office again and double check that there isn’t any other way to reduce the loan amount: sometimes you can apply for scholarships, or you can even request a review of you financial aid offer if you feel it isn’t accurate or fair.
6. Finally, weigh all the options. Sometimes your “dream schools” are not the smartest financial option. I would recommend that you consider the scholarships and aid that other institutions might be granting you. Financial security if very important when choosing a school—remember whatever financial commitment you make, it is final.

 
Finally, for me, commitment day is less than a week away, and I must say that financial aid felt like a hit from reality. I could not afford my dream school, and other schools that had better options seem more promising (and financially responsible).
 
Ultimately, choosing a college or university can be a difficult decision; it could mean a separation from home, a movement from the warm weathers to the dreaded winters-- but through it all you must remember that only you can make the best decision for yourself. Also, if what you planned since freshman year does not end up happening, do not be discouraged; there is not a single path towards your greatness. This road is not about speed, but about resistance. Essentially, somebody really smart once said, “All roads lead to Rome.” So find your Rome, and chase it.