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Which one is better, choosing a better college but its farther away or an average college that is closer.?
Just wanted to know if you got accepted into a prestigious university that might be out of state is a better option than a closer college
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Dr’s Answer
Hey Andrew!
Great question! It’s a big decision, and there are a lot of factors to think about. Christina gave some solid advice on this, and I’ll add a bit more to help you weigh your options.
First off, you want to think about what’s most important to you right now. If you have a dream school that’s a bit farther away and it offers a program that really excites you, that could be the way to go. But on the other hand, if you’re looking for something more affordable, staying close to home might be better for you—especially if it means less student debt down the road (which is what Christina touched on with her own experience).
Also, consider the kind of environment you thrive in. A prestigious university out of state could give you a new cultural experience, but it can also be more challenging to adjust to a completely new place. If you’re close to family and love the idea of staying near them, that’s another thing to weigh. Christina’s right that being close to home can be especially important during times when you might need that extra support.
For your future career, it's not always about the name of the school. Your work ethic, network, and how well you use your time at school matter a lot more. A “prestigious” degree might give you a head start, but there are also plenty of people who’ve done amazing things from less well-known schools. In fact, I’ve seen people with more "average" degrees work their way up through sheer talent and determination, which is something to keep in mind.
Lastly, don’t forget to think about the financial aspect. Sometimes, even with a prestigious school, if the cost of tuition and living expenses is higher, it could leave you in a more stressful financial situation. Christina mentioned how financial aid at in-state colleges helped her out a lot, and that's something you’ll want to factor in.
In the end, it’s really about balancing your goals, finances, and what kind of experience you're hoping for. So take some time to reflect on those and you’ll know what feels best for you!
Good luck with the decision, Andrew! You’ve got this!
Great question! It’s a big decision, and there are a lot of factors to think about. Christina gave some solid advice on this, and I’ll add a bit more to help you weigh your options.
First off, you want to think about what’s most important to you right now. If you have a dream school that’s a bit farther away and it offers a program that really excites you, that could be the way to go. But on the other hand, if you’re looking for something more affordable, staying close to home might be better for you—especially if it means less student debt down the road (which is what Christina touched on with her own experience).
Also, consider the kind of environment you thrive in. A prestigious university out of state could give you a new cultural experience, but it can also be more challenging to adjust to a completely new place. If you’re close to family and love the idea of staying near them, that’s another thing to weigh. Christina’s right that being close to home can be especially important during times when you might need that extra support.
For your future career, it's not always about the name of the school. Your work ethic, network, and how well you use your time at school matter a lot more. A “prestigious” degree might give you a head start, but there are also plenty of people who’ve done amazing things from less well-known schools. In fact, I’ve seen people with more "average" degrees work their way up through sheer talent and determination, which is something to keep in mind.
Lastly, don’t forget to think about the financial aspect. Sometimes, even with a prestigious school, if the cost of tuition and living expenses is higher, it could leave you in a more stressful financial situation. Christina mentioned how financial aid at in-state colleges helped her out a lot, and that's something you’ll want to factor in.
In the end, it’s really about balancing your goals, finances, and what kind of experience you're hoping for. So take some time to reflect on those and you’ll know what feels best for you!
Good luck with the decision, Andrew! You’ve got this!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Gena
Updated
Mr.’s Answer
Both Christina and Dr. H gave solid advice—financial considerations, career goals, and personal adaptability all matter. Prestige can open doors, but your work ethic and network determine long-term success.
Final tip: Choose the path that minimizes debt and maximizes opportunity. A name on a diploma won’t carry you—your effort will.
Final tip: Choose the path that minimizes debt and maximizes opportunity. A name on a diploma won’t carry you—your effort will.
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hi Andrew,
There is no right answer to your question, as there are many individual factors to consider such as:
What are you hoping to get out of higher education? A specific degree to match your career interests? A vast alumni network that can propel your future success? A liberal arts education which promotes creativity and critical thinking and may give you better access to professors?
Do you know what degree you are pursuing? In-state schools may have excellent specialized degree programs that are more well-respected than similar degrees from prestigious universities.
Is it important to you to be close to home and/or your family? Do you have aging parents or a young sibling whom you may want to be near during these years of your life?
Are you someone who may be negatively impacted by an environment or culture that is vastly different than what you are used to? Does exploring a different part of the country or world energize you, and could you see yourself enjoying a new environment for several years?
Of course, there are the financial considerations. While many prestigious universities offer generous financial aid, there are also fantastic in-state financial aid programs which could alleviate so much burden from the cost of higher education. When I completed my undergraduate studies, I had amassed a great deal of financial aid for the in-state university I attended. In fact, I did not pay anything out of pocket and actually earned income from my financial aid. The financial component is very important, because not only do you want to eventually land a career that provides a respectable income, you also don't want to spend the first decade post-college digging yourself out of debt when you could be using those years to amass wealth by saving and investing and capitalizing on the power of compound interest which largely favors those in their youth!
When it comes to career prospects and career progression, what I have experienced is that work ethic and proven results will work wonders for a person's career, largely surpassing the type of college they attended. Someone who attended a prestigious university may start off in a better position compared to an in-state college graduate, however I have witnessed many colleagues with in-state undergraduate degrees quickly surpass other colleagues with more prestigious colleges on their resumes and with master's degrees, etc.
At the end of the day, your career path is what you make it. There will likely be missteps, unique opportunities (often disguised as hard work!), twists and turns and unexpected roadblocks. What you choose to do with these occurrences will make all the difference! Good luck to you!
There is no right answer to your question, as there are many individual factors to consider such as:
What are you hoping to get out of higher education? A specific degree to match your career interests? A vast alumni network that can propel your future success? A liberal arts education which promotes creativity and critical thinking and may give you better access to professors?
Do you know what degree you are pursuing? In-state schools may have excellent specialized degree programs that are more well-respected than similar degrees from prestigious universities.
Is it important to you to be close to home and/or your family? Do you have aging parents or a young sibling whom you may want to be near during these years of your life?
Are you someone who may be negatively impacted by an environment or culture that is vastly different than what you are used to? Does exploring a different part of the country or world energize you, and could you see yourself enjoying a new environment for several years?
Of course, there are the financial considerations. While many prestigious universities offer generous financial aid, there are also fantastic in-state financial aid programs which could alleviate so much burden from the cost of higher education. When I completed my undergraduate studies, I had amassed a great deal of financial aid for the in-state university I attended. In fact, I did not pay anything out of pocket and actually earned income from my financial aid. The financial component is very important, because not only do you want to eventually land a career that provides a respectable income, you also don't want to spend the first decade post-college digging yourself out of debt when you could be using those years to amass wealth by saving and investing and capitalizing on the power of compound interest which largely favors those in their youth!
When it comes to career prospects and career progression, what I have experienced is that work ethic and proven results will work wonders for a person's career, largely surpassing the type of college they attended. Someone who attended a prestigious university may start off in a better position compared to an in-state college graduate, however I have witnessed many colleagues with in-state undergraduate degrees quickly surpass other colleagues with more prestigious colleges on their resumes and with master's degrees, etc.
At the end of the day, your career path is what you make it. There will likely be missteps, unique opportunities (often disguised as hard work!), twists and turns and unexpected roadblocks. What you choose to do with these occurrences will make all the difference! Good luck to you!
Thank you!
Gena