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Also, keep in mind that not all CC credits transfer to four year uni. The city-data forum likes to talk about transferring and starting as a junior in a four year college. However, I have met people who tried just that, only to find out the college they transferred to did not take all/many of their credits and they essentially began as a freshmen / sophomore again.
Poor planning on the part of the student. The community college and the 4 year universities have articulation agreements that will uphold the transfer of the community college classes to their campuses. The student needs to make sure to follow their degree plan for the major they are interested in. We've seen at work where students just think any English class will do (they have taken an interest in British Literature or another very specific English topic) and the university will only accept transfer coursework for one type of English class (likely Freshmen Composition I and II).
For me, the acceptable amount of debt for a 4yr degree is $0.
I went to college at 33. I had no money (lived frugal) and I had no plans to borrow any.
I went to a cheap podunk state college and every year I applied for every grant and scholarship I could find. I got enough free money every year to pay all my tuition and some of my living expenses. Get to know the people in the financial aid office. They can help you out!
I graduated in 2009 (at 41!) with a BS in geology and a minor in GIS. I spent the last year working in a flaky contract work position. Next week I start at a new, permanant, full time with benefits, employee-position job as a GIS Specialist. Starting pay is not super high, but it has a future.
Poor planning on the part of the student. The community college and the 4 year universities have articulation agreements that will uphold the transfer of the community college classes to their campuses. The student needs to make sure to follow their degree plan for the major they are interested in. We've seen at work where students just think any English class will do (they have taken an interest in British Literature or another very specific English topic) and the university will only accept transfer coursework for one type of English class (likely Freshmen Composition I and II).
Many CCs have had dramatic increases in enrollments, with no added funding, or even with cuts. IIUC its not always possible for students to take what they want to take (though I hope freshman comp is always available)
Many CCs have had dramatic increases in enrollments, with no added funding, or even with cuts. IIUC its not always possible for students to take what they want to take (though I hope freshman comp is always available)
The first classes to get cut are the very specific coursework; the general curriculum courses have a chance of getting cut as well but the amount of class times offered will be reduced instead of eliminated.
Don't let weakness in math keep you out of the sciences. I started college in my 30's knowing I wanted to do a hard science degree and also having NO math skills at all. My first class was a Basic Arithmetic class (it was packed full, I was not alone). I don't care much for math, but I worked my way up through all the algebra classes, trig and Calc I and II. I got A's in all but trig and Calc II.
My degree is in geology, but I think my minor in GIS is more valuable. It's a real job skill. I just landed a good job as a GIS Specialist.
I hear you on that one, packed in with all the miscreants in "remediation purgatory".
Aside from how hard math or anything is, I would advise pulling a job full-time and doing school part-time.
Depending on what college or university you're going to, you should be able to get everything done in 5-7 years.
But if you want to start a family or some boring thing like that, then full-time it if you must.
I myself majored in petroleum engineering-- it has 100% job placement. Everyone got a job, even someone I knew with a 2.1 gpa.
And just wait for renewable energy to come out of the woodwork fully and become cost-competitive with fossil fuels. There are many who say (GE being one) that it will very easily happen within this decade and as early as 2015.
Nissan's (serious) introduction of the LEAF just a few days ago is also another indication of the beginning of a post-oil transition. Half-electric (hybrid cars) are practically mainstream at this point and will continue to mature technologically.
I'm from the Houston area and know of both petro. engineering grads and students (live about 1 hr from Texas A&M, partied with a few last week LOL) and yes, it's a lucrative field for now, but if one were to start their O&G career today and have a working life of 40 years, I guarantee A LOT is going to change in the energy industry. Hell who knows where the industry will be 10 years from now. My dad, a senior researcher at Halliburton agrees.
Last edited by Alphalogica; 12-14-2010 at 01:49 AM..
Depends on your current financial status (how much debt you have now, how much you have saved, etc) and how much your major will net you once you get a job (i.e. better to borrow less for majors that start you out at $30k/year versus majors that start you closer to $60k a year).
I agree with a few others: $0.00 is acceptable. Be smart. Work hard. Apply for scholarships. In that order.
My entire 4 year electrical engineering degree, including tuition, fees, and books cost me about negative $100. That's right, they paid me to go to school.
Not a realistic scenario for everyone, I realize, but neither are these god-awful loads of debt some people purposefully put themselves into.
If you do have to borrow, avoid federal student loans at all costs. They aren't the good deal people think they are.
If you end up bankrupt after school, they DO NOT GO AWAY in bankruptcy. Doesn't matter why or how you go bankrupt, they don't get discharged under any kind of bankruptcy. About the only way they get discharged is total physical disability or the borrower's death.
Unless you can borrow from a different source (can't get "student loans" from private banks anymore) I wouldn't go for a degree in the humanities unless you can get grants, loans from relatives or friends, or a personal loan if you can get one or pay cash. If you are broke now, a degree in the humanities will not help you with the step up on the ladder of personal financial world.
Biggest mistake of my college years. Can't afford them, and I didn't borrow that much. My degree will never pay for itself.
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