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Prestigious universities don't hurt and they opens doors. It would be silly to say that there is no additional value in going to a prestigious university, however, they aren't necessary to be successful. I always say to plan for the best and prepare for the worst. Interpret that how you wish.
Also, if "education is an education" then SAT scores would be constant across the board for highschool graduates. In reality, different schools provide a different levels of education in terms of quality.
Prestigious universities don't hurt and they opens doors. It would be silly to say that there is no additional value in going to a prestigious university, however, they aren't necessary to be successful. I always say to plan for the best and prepare for the worst. Interpret that how you wish.
For most fields of study, the significance of going to a prestigious university diminishes significantly (though certainly not entirely) when you go straight on to grad school. I wouldn't want to take out heavy undergraduate loans just so I can further starve on an already modest grad school stipend. Of course, the OP should apply broadly now and compare financial aid packages later. If he/she is strongly considering the 2+2 community college/state university route, he/she probably won't get caught in the upper middle class donut hole that saddles all-too-many moderately well-off students with a $60k+ annual cost of attendance they simply cannot afford.
For most fields of study, the significance of going to a prestigious university diminishes significantly (though certainly not entirely) when you go straight on to grad school. I wouldn't want to take out heavy undergraduate loans just so I can further starve on an already modest grad school stipend. Of course, the OP should apply broadly now and compare financial aid packages later. If he/she is strongly considering the 2+2 community college/state university route, he/she probably won't get caught in the upper middle class donut hole that saddles all-too-many moderately well-off students with a $60k+ annual cost of attendance they simply cannot afford.
If you go to a prestigious private school you will have to take very little loans if any. The only way it gets expensive is if you were a poor student in HS.... in which case, 2+2 is probably a better route for you anyways.
When I said "plan for the best, prepare for the worse", I was trying to imply that not everything goes as planned. If the OP should fine him/her/self on a different path takes take 'em away from grad school, at least they took a path which leaves the most doors open for that situation. Don't put all your eggs in one basket or plan.
If you go to a prestigious private school you will have to take very little loans if any. The only way it gets expensive is if you were a poor student in HS.... in which case, 2+2 is probably a better route for you anyways.
Like I said before, upper middle class donut hole. You also don't get into a prestigious private school while being a poor student unless you're a legacy, athlete, or under-represented minority, and there are plenty of scholarships devoted to people from the latter two categories.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBest
When I said "plan for the best, prepare for the worse", I was trying to imply that not everything goes as planned. If the OP should fine him/her/self on a different path takes take 'em away from grad school, at least they took a path which leaves the most doors open for that situation. Don't put all your eggs in one basket or plan.
I agree you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, but I also don't think buying an "additional basket" is worth an extra $100 grand (if not more).
Hey guys, my grades aren't really stellar and I'm a HS senior but to be honest I can really care less where I go to college as long as it has -some- name to it.
For example, I really want to go to Uni in Colorado but as much as I'd love to go to community college for a year and transfer to Colorado College, I just can't afford the more prestigeous schools (Uni of Denver, Colorado College etc)
I'm planning to go into Pre-Pharmacy and majoring in Biology and I can really care less where I go to college because I feel like an education is an education. I thrive on smaller classroom sizes and the big lecture halls just don't do it for me. Is this a mistake? Should I stress about prestige of a school?
Thanks in advance, any other additional advice you'd like to give me would be loved!
If you want to go into such an important profession you should really put more effort into your grades. Would you want a less than stellar Pharmacists filling your prescriptions?
Like I said before, upper middle class donut hole. You also don't get into a prestigious private school while being a poor student unless you're a legacy, athlete, or under-represented minority, and there are plenty of scholarships devoted to people from the latter two categories.
I agree you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, but I also don't think buying an "additional basket" is worth an extra $100 grand (if not more).
I can assure you that there are plenty of poor, white, non-athletes at prestigious private schools.
Again, if you're looking at $100 grand, even for a prestigious university... you messed up big time somewhere along the way... and I agree that it's not the best option for you.
The OP is clear about his grades... which generally puts him/her in the 2+2 category.
I can assure you that there are plenty of poor, white, non-athletes at prestigious private schools.
Yes there are, because poor people get good financial aid at such schools.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBest
Again, if you're looking at $100 grand, even for a prestigious university... you messed up big time somewhere along the way...
What the hell are you talking about? I know a lot of people with 2100+ SAT/3.8+ GPAs who got into T20 universities and were saddled with sticker. Some saw fit to pay. Others found cheaper alternatives. This was also back in the mid-2000s--the competition has only gotten fiercer since then.
Yes there are, because poor people get good financial aid at such schools.
What the hell are you talking about? I know a lot of people with 2100+ SAT/3.8+ GPAs who got into T20 universities and were saddled with sticker. Some saw fit to pay. Others found cheaper alternatives. This was also back in the mid-2000s--the competition has only gotten fiercer since then.
I should have been more clear... I meant $100k debt. Not $100k cost. I mean, if you have wealth, you don't get financial aid... but you can put up the money.
I should have been more clear... I meant $100k debt. Not $100k cost. I mean, if you have wealth, you don't get financial aid... but you can put up the money.
Define wealth. A family of four living off $200k pre-tax in a high COL area would definitely have difficulty responsibly paying sticker for both kids at elite private universities.
Define wealth. A family of four living off $200k pre-tax in a high COL area would definitely have difficulty responsibly paying sticker for both kids at elite private universities.
Plugging numbers into he financial calculator for my school... Assuming no savings, a family of 4, having $400,000 equity in their home, the income would have to be $225,000 before you stop receiving financial aid. There's very few areas where $225,000 leaves you in a situation where you cannot save for your child's education. School's expect some level of financial responsibility. If you have that income and flat broke, it's a very unusual scenario.
This is getting offtopic. We both agree that a student should not be paying $100k to be going to college (at least given the current state of higher education).
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