No turning back

I just finished the essay and submitted my application to TAU. Unfortunately I forgot to check the box that says, "I need housing." Oops. Either way, I paid the application fee so I guess that's the official start of my study abroad plan. Anyway, the admissions representative said it doesn't really matter that I didn't check the box since I don't officially get asked until I get the acceptance packet.

Fantastic, it's like applying to college all over again.

All I need to do now is get a physical and get my transcript sent. I'm told that it will take about three weeks for them to make their decision so I'm not going to deal with them for awhile since I want to be at school when they send me the information.

Once I get accepted, I'll be doing a few scholarship applications. The situation financially is looking pretty good for second semester so I'm not sure I'll actually need but I might as well go for as much as I can because Jewish organizations like sending Jewish kids to Israel. Here's how sophomore year will shape up:

Semester at UMass
Tuition for a semester: $10250
Housing: $1080
Meal Plan: $2090
Total: $13,420

Semester at Tel Aviv University
Tuition for a semester: $6,400
Language program: $1,200
Housing: $2,000
UMass study abroad fee: $750
Total: $10,350

Back when the dollar was worth more than four new shekels, I'm sure there was much more than a $3,000 difference in the price range. Although I've been told I can take off $3,000 because this program called Masa will fund all Jewish students going to Israel (as I said, Jewish organizations like sending Jewish kids to Israel). Can't complain with that.