When all the acceptances and financial aid offers arrive, Emma's family must weigh their options and make their final choice by the May 1st deadline.
Within the first week of April, Emma receives decisions from all her remaining schools:
In-state tuition advantage
Limited aid for out-of-state even if accepted
More merit aid than expected! Renewable with 3.0 GPA
Barrett Honors College acceptance
Close to home, different environment
Applied mainly to please dad
Emma's family sits down with all the financial aid offers to understand their real options:
| School | Total Cost | Aid/Scholarships | Net Cost/Year | 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CU Boulder | $30,000 | $6,000 | $24,000 | $96,000 |
| Arizona State | $48,000 | $12,000 | $36,000 | $144,000 |
| Alabama | $47,000 | $18,000 | $29,000 | $116,000 |
| Colorado State | $34,000 | $8,000 | $26,000 | $104,000 |
| Tennessee | $42,000 | $10,000 | $32,000 | $128,000 |
"CU Boulder makes the most financial sense. Emma can live at home for the first year to save money, and she'll still get the college experience. The debt would be manageable."
"I think University of Alabama offers the best value. The larger scholarship shows they really want Emma, and she'd get the full college experience away from home. It's only $5,000 more per year than CU."
"I feel like I'm choosing between what's affordable and what I want. I don't know what I want anymore because everything is about money."
Reason: Emma admits she only applied to please her dad. Most expensive option with no strong preference.
Family Agreement: Dad agrees it was added for wrong reasons
Reason: Despite Honors College acceptance, Emma doesn't feel excited. Most expensive option on the list.
Family Agreement: Family agrees debt level isn't justified for a school Emma isn't enthusiastic about
With three options remaining, Emma's family decides to visit University of Alabama before making a final choice. They've never seen the campus, and the merit scholarship makes it a serious contender.
"I realize I spent so much time trying to please both of you that I never figured out what I actually wanted. Now I have to choose between what we can afford and what might be best for me, and I'm not even sure what that is."
Her Realization:
Emma submits her enrollment deposit to CU Boulder and declines the other offers.
Relief mixed with lingering "what if" thoughts about Alabama, but confidence that they made a responsible decision as a family.
Pride that Emma is going to college, anxiety about the financial commitment, but satisfaction that they worked together to reach a decision.
A plan that balances Emma's dreams with the family's financial reality, with flexibility to adjust as needed.
Emma's journey shows that even families who start late and face coordination challenges can still achieve positive outcomes. The key is honest communication, realistic planning, and working together despite past relationship difficulties.
The college process revealed that Emma is more mature and resilient than anyone expected, and her parents are more capable of collaboration than their divorce history suggested. Sometimes challenging circumstances bring out the best in families, even when the path isn't smooth.
Emma will start at CU Boulder in the fall, living on campus with a plan to reassess housing and finances each year. Her family has learned valuable lessons about planning, communication, and compromise that will serve them well beyond college.