Be happy or save money?

[sugarhype10]

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This is probably a silly question to ask, but I'm in a bit of a bind.

Right now, I'm trying to decide between two schools. The first one has given me a scholarship, which will save me a good amount of money. Unfortunately, that school is also very far from home and I feel as though I won't fit in with the student body. The second school is closer to home, has greater diversity, and has nicer facilities, but its tuition is very expensive.

Is it more important to graduate with as little debt as possible, or is it more worthwhile to enjoy my time while accumulating a crapload of debt?

I've seen several posts that advised students to go to the cheapest school, but is money a more important factor than where I will feel most comfortable?

Any input from you all would be much appreciated!

Oh, and I'm also asking the optometrists that I've shadowed for their advice in case any of you were wondering if I'm doing anything else to reach a decision.

 

[KHE]

This is probably a silly question to ask, but I'm in a bit of a bind.

Right now, I'm trying to decide between two schools. The first one has given me a scholarship, which will save me a good amount of money. Unfortunately, that school is also very far from home and I feel as though I won't fit in with the student body. The second school is closer to home, has greater diversity, and has nicer facilities, but its tuition is very expensive.

Is it more important to graduate with as little debt as possible, or is it more worthwhile to enjoy my time while accumulating a crapload of debt?

I've seen several posts that advised students to go to the cheapest school, but is money a more important factor than where I will feel most comfortable?

Any input from you all would be much appreciated!

Oh, and I'm also asking the optometrists that I've shadowed for their advice in case any of you were wondering if I'm doing anything else to reach a decision.

Knowing nothing else about you I would recommend the cheaper school but not because of the cheapness of it. I would recommend it precisely because it's an opportunity to move outside of your comfort zone and have a very unique experience that you may never have the opportunity to have again. You can always return home. Cowboy up a little bit and take a chance.

 

[QueenieCSS]

This is probably a silly question to ask, but I'm in a bit of a bind.

Right now, I'm trying to decide between two schools. The first one has given me a scholarship, which will save me a good amount of money. Unfortunately, that school is also very far from home and I feel as though I won't fit in with the student body. The second school is closer to home, has greater diversity, and has nicer facilities, but its tuition is very expensive.

Is it more important to graduate with as little debt as possible, or is it more worthwhile to enjoy my time while accumulating a crapload of debt?

I've seen several posts that advised students to go to the cheapest school, but is money a more important factor than where I will feel most comfortable?

Any input from you all would be much appreciated!

Oh, and I'm also asking the optometrists that I've shadowed for their advice in case any of you were wondering if I'm doing anything else to reach a decision.

I personally say go for happiness. Money is important but if you aren't enjoying yourself studying will be even harder.

I gave up in-state tuition for an out of state private school and I don't regret it at all. I fit in better here and I am enjoying myself a lot - to me that's worth the extra money.

But it is your decision. Good luck in your choice!

 

[Arctic]

I would say money should DEFINITELY be a significant factor in your decision-making process. Minimizing debt while in school will really help you out later on. However, there are many factors a prospective student must weigh when making a final choice on an optometry school. My advice would be to seriously consider the cost differential, but obviously don't base your decision solely on that. If you truly feel that you'd be far happier at the more expensive option, then I'd suggest you to go for that. It's your decision, and whatever you make, I hope it works out for you. Good luck! 👍

 

[sammyboy]

Be happy AND save money! It is a possibility, you know. I'm sure there are several different scholarship options for you to apply. Also, I noticed you were accepted at PCO and their tuition along with everything else is going to be a $200,000+ education by the time you are done. The financial aid presentation explained an option of joining the armed forces and having them pay for your education. For example, if they pay for 2 years of your optometric education, you will serve for 2 years with the branch in which you apply (airforce, army, navy, et cetera). Also, be frugally minded. Hell, I am one of the cheapest people I know (lmao to myself).

More realistically...you are going to live comfortably once you are finished with school anyway and it isn't going to take you a lifetime to pay off your school loans being an optometrist. Don't worry about the money. Go where you want. You live life once...only once

 

[sammyboy]

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[JMU07]

The financial aid presentation explained an option of joining the armed forces and having them pay for your education. For example, if they pay for 2 years of your optometric education, you will serve for 2 years with the branch in which you apply (airforce, army, navy, et cetera). Also, be frugally minded. Hell, I am one of the cheapest people I know (lmao to myself).

The armed forces thing is a scholarship program that's very difficult to be accepted to. It's also very rare for them to give more than a two year scholarship. Just clarifying! 👍

 

[sammyboy]

They did mention that! I forgot how competitive they said that was.

 

[sugarhype10]

Thanks everyone! I've decided to just go with the more expensive option. I figured that I'm not the only one who will graduate with debt, so I might as well go where I will be happiest. I have to decline a seat at the other school soon, and it's going to be so hard to let go of that scholarship! 🙁

 

[sammyboy]

I noticed last night that you committed to PCO! Congrats and I hope to see you there...I should know by the weekend whether or not I am accepted 👍 or have to retake my OAT 👎

 

[Arctic]

Thanks everyone! I've decided to just go with the more expensive option. I figured that I'm not the only one who will graduate with debt, so I might as well go where I will be happiest. I have to decline a seat at the other school soon, and it's going to be so hard to let go of that scholarship! 🙁

So I guess we'll be classmates sugarhype! PCO is a great school, and I'm sure you will love it there. That is a tough decision though; choosing between PCO versus a scholarship at another school you'd otherwise be less inclined to go to, but again if you truly would be happier at PCO I think you made the right choice.

 

[sugarhype10]

Good luck to you, sammyboy!

Artic: I feel really happy and excited now that I've made a final decision. PCO is going to be awesome.

 

[hurricaneuro]

You will love my home state! I'm mad though...they took away all the funding/scholarships for PA residents at PCO this year! Lame!

 

[sugarhype10]

For some reason, I thought your home state was New York. That really sucks that PA residents don't get any in-state benefits. It doesn't really matter for you though--you'll be attending your first choice! 😀

But yeah, PA seems so awesome, and I love that Philadelphia is just 20 minutes or so away. The city is so nice!

 

[Framecontrol]

Knowing nothing else about you I would recommend the cheaper school but not because of the cheapness of it. I would recommend it precisely because it's an opportunity to move outside of your comfort zone and have a very unique experience that you may never have the opportunity to have again. You can always return home. Cowboy up a little bit and take a chance.

Hey Ken,
I totally agree with you on this one, specifically the comfort zone aspect. I think many students neglect to think about the full experience of optometry school and therefore stay local instead of having a great new experience.

To the author of the thread I just wrote a HUGE article about this on OptometryStudents.com

Check it out and I promise it will help you out 👍

http://optometrystudents.com/how-to-pick-the-right-optometry-school/