2 answers
Jonathon
Student
Pingree Grove, IL
2
Questions
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Does cost or experience matter more when choosing a college?
Right now I have hard choice between two colleges. One college is more prestigious in the area I am studying in, and I've been accepted into multiple honors programs, but it's not offering me any scholarships. The second college gave me a large scholarship, it's a private university. Overall, attending the first college would be almost 2x more expensive, but I also like the feel of the campus a lot more and it's more accredited in my area of study. I'm not sure what or how to decide.
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2 answers
Orna Khan
5
Answers
Updated
Orna’s Answer
Your college journey is important, and it can be tough to make choices in situations like this. It's helpful to consider if you want to continue your education after getting your bachelor's degree. If you're thinking about a second degree, a master's, or even a Ph.D., it might be wise to save money during your undergrad years. This way, you'll have more resources for your future studies. Remember, every step you take now can open doors for exciting opportunities ahead!
Justin O'Connor
Consultant
2
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Justin’s Answer
That's a tough question, and unfortunately my TLDR response is: It depends!
First things first, you used the term "accredited" to describe one school versus another, and I doubt you are talking about either school being literally unaccredited. If you are, then your answer is always go to the literally accredited school.
Beyond that, I think you need to really consider how much "better" you think the prestigious university is and if it will really mean anything in the long run. It's easy to get sucked into the hype train, but ultimately getting a degree is the important step. In some cases the degree itself coming from a specific school is important especially when thinking about professional types of degrees that set you up for medical school or becoming a lawyer, and in those cases the more prestigious university may be worth it. But think about it as an adult after having come out of school. Start to analyze how much you are actually expected to make as you start your career, and try to understand how much money you could make as you grow in your career. Some careers have ceilings that are much higher than others, and that is absolutely worth considering. It's absolutely no fun paying back college loans for years to come, so if that prestigious school is more perceived than real then it may be very smart to consider the more financially amenable route instead.
I suggest this: create a list of pros and cons and try to weigh them one against another. Writing it down really helps out, and potentially going over it with someone else can really bring out another perspective that is valuable.
I wish you luck in your decision knowing it's not an easy or straightforward decision to make. Remember this, I have always found solace in the idea that our experiences shape who we are, no matter what decision was made. Ultimately your experience will be derived from what you put into it and strive to get out of it, and the decision to go to one school versus another is just a single step in that experience. Both are likely great options, and the one that you feel will leave a better lasting effect may be the right choice.
First things first, you used the term "accredited" to describe one school versus another, and I doubt you are talking about either school being literally unaccredited. If you are, then your answer is always go to the literally accredited school.
Beyond that, I think you need to really consider how much "better" you think the prestigious university is and if it will really mean anything in the long run. It's easy to get sucked into the hype train, but ultimately getting a degree is the important step. In some cases the degree itself coming from a specific school is important especially when thinking about professional types of degrees that set you up for medical school or becoming a lawyer, and in those cases the more prestigious university may be worth it. But think about it as an adult after having come out of school. Start to analyze how much you are actually expected to make as you start your career, and try to understand how much money you could make as you grow in your career. Some careers have ceilings that are much higher than others, and that is absolutely worth considering. It's absolutely no fun paying back college loans for years to come, so if that prestigious school is more perceived than real then it may be very smart to consider the more financially amenable route instead.
I suggest this: create a list of pros and cons and try to weigh them one against another. Writing it down really helps out, and potentially going over it with someone else can really bring out another perspective that is valuable.
I wish you luck in your decision knowing it's not an easy or straightforward decision to make. Remember this, I have always found solace in the idea that our experiences shape who we are, no matter what decision was made. Ultimately your experience will be derived from what you put into it and strive to get out of it, and the decision to go to one school versus another is just a single step in that experience. Both are likely great options, and the one that you feel will leave a better lasting effect may be the right choice.