Go to *cheap* school!

[biogirl215]

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I'm a current college junior, and I go to a state university as an out of state student on a substantial merit scholarship, which will likely result in my UG costing ~$28k total (tuition, fees, room, board, and Greek dues), which about $8k of that covered by a job my junior and senior years, and parents covering the other $20k or so (thanks, parents!😍). That's pretty cheap in the world of college, yet I still wish I had applied to cheaper schools (i.e., my state u, which probably would have cost about $15k total after scholarships.

School for careers in health field can be incredibly expensive, so it would probably be best to make undergrad as cheap as possible. I'm applying to clinical and counseling psych PhD and PsyD programs next year, and the costs of unfunded programs are pretty alarming, as are the costs of med, dental, optometry, audiology, pharmacy, etc., school. If you work for them, you can get good opportunities and preparation at nearly any school if you work for them, and if you have an ambitious (and expense) career goal, perhaps the money would be better saved for that.

 

[glowworm]

Ok, sounds good....I have thought it would be fun to go some other schools in my state, but i'm not sure the fun and freedom of living on my own is worth 20K. So for now, looks like i will be living with my paranoid parents for 4 more years. 🙄

How much money do you guys think is reasonable to spend living away from home for college? did you have 10K, 20K, whatever, worth of fun? As it is now, college is basically free for me, assuming i live at home and go to a college 10 min. from home. Also, my parents are typical homeschool parents (if anyone can imagine what that means).

I know no one can decide this for me, just looking for different experiences and opinions. 🙂

 

[tennisball80]

I would go to Cali for sure if the tuition is the same as in OK. OK is the one of the states that offers out of state tuition waiver for Non-U.S citizens and green card holders.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

Ok, sounds good....I have thought it would be fun to go some other schools in my state, but i'm not sure the fun and freedom of living on my own is worth 20K. So for now, looks like i will be living with my paranoid parents for 4 more years. 🙄

How much money do you guys think is reasonable to spend living away from home for college? did you have 10K, 20K, whatever, worth of fun? As it is now, college is basically free for me, assuming i live at home and go to a college 10 min. from home. Also, my parents are typical homeschool parents (if anyone can imagine what that means).

I know no one can decide this for me, just looking for different experiences and opinions. 🙂

While many people say that "if you don't live on campus, you miss out on your college experience", I do not believe that is true. As long as you have friends and don't spend all of your time either at class or at home, your UG experience can be just as good. And spending 8k for a dorm alone is agrivating, but paying over that is just absurd.

I know what that means, and it's usually not fun 😛 . They do know you pretty well though, so thats a good thing. Where you actually homeschooled?

 

[glowworm]

While many people say that "if you don't live on campus, you miss out on your college experience", I do not believe that is true. As long as you have friends and don't spend all of your time either at class or at home, your UG experience can be just as good. And spending 8k for a dorm alone is agrivating, but paying over that is just absurd.

I know what that means, and it's usually not fun 😛 . They do know you pretty well though, so thats a good thing. Where you actually homeschooled?

Yes, i actually am homeschooled- not sure if thats good or bad. haven't been to regular school since 4th grade. So college might kind of a shock.

 

[QofQuimica]

Completely agree with the OP. I went to college at one of my state schools fully scholarshipped (including room and board), and it was an incredibly good move. Given the chance to do it all over, I'd make the exact same choice. Particularly if you're planning to go to med school, do your best to avoid taking on debt at the UG level. Med school is tremendously expensive in most states, even the public schools. In FL, the state med schools cost around $20,000 per year just for the tuition. Add living expenses on top of that, and you're talking six figure loans if you have to pay it all out of pocket. If you're already heavily in debt from college, you aren't going to be a happy camper by the time you're my age and all of your spare money is going to Sallie Mae.

 

[DrYoda]

I agree with the OP and Q; I'm finishing college this semester with no debt, and there isn't anything I regret about going the inexpensive school route.

While many people say that "if you don't live on campus, you miss out on your college experience", I do not believe that is true. As long as you have friends and don't spend all of your time either at class or at home, your UG experience can be just as good. And spending 8k for a dorm alone is agrivating, but paying over that is just absurd.

I agree with this as well. I've never lived anywhere near my university, since it's cheap where I'm at and closer to my work ( I've generally lived 30-45 min away). Different people like different things, but I'm actually quite pleased that I have never had to live in a dorm or other student housing. If there's something I want to do on campus I just drive myself there and partake in it, it's not necessary to live on-campus to have fun there.

The truth is you make your own college experience. There are commuters who are very involved, and there are on-campus students who just sit in their dorms/appartments all day. If you do decide to live with your parents it's a great way to save money. However, make sure that you have some stuff to do on-campus, or at least somewhere away from your house. You don't want to pass up the chance to enjoy college, seeing as you're only there once.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

Yes, i actually am homeschooled- not sure if thats good or bad. haven't been to regular school since 4th grade. So college might kind of a shock.

I definatly suggest living at home then. It will make the transition easier and help you keep focused, and some money in your pocket 😎.

 

[xnfs93hy]

I definatly suggest living at home then. It will make the transition easier and help you keep focused, and some money in your pocket 😎.

and some money in your pocket 😎.[/QUOTE]

Kemp said the word money...

 

[KempDrumsalot]

Kemp said the word money...

Haha and?

 

[DrReo]

While many people say that "if you don't live on campus, you miss out on your college experience", I do not believe that is true. As long as you have friends and don't spend all of your time either at class or at home, your UG experience can be just as good. And spending 8k for a dorm alone is agrivating, but paying over that is just absurd.

I know what that means, and it's usually not fun 😛 . They do know you pretty well though, so thats a good thing. Where you actually homeschooled?

Have you lived on campus? I lived on campus first year and loved it. I meet so many friend and had one of the best times of my life. You grow up so much more living on your own in the dorms. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I agree with saving money, but I believe every freshman should live in the dorms regardless of the situation. You will mature so much more, momma's boy.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

Have you lived on campus? I lived on campus first year and loved it. I meet so many friend and had one of the best times of my life. You grow up so much more living on your own in the dorms. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I agree with saving money, but I believe every freshman should live in the dorms regardless of the situation. You will mature so much more, momma's boy.

Some of us, fortunatly, don't have to rely on others to mature or have already matured by this point. And momma's boy? Seriously?

 

[DrReo]

Some of us, fortunatly, don't have to rely on others to mature or have already matured by this point. And momma's boy? Seriously?

How would one rely on others by living in the dorm? How make more friends, meet more people, have organized events, etc. that cannot be even close to justified if you live at home. Yes, you can participate in school activities but you will meet people you would never meet in a traditional lecture and by going home. You have to set up your own study schedule because no one is forcing you to study. You make your own, individualized structure and leave the one your parents established. But I understand your point. It's tough to comment and understand if you've only lived at home.

 

[glowworm]

How would one rely on others by living in the dorm? How make more friends, meet more people, have organized events, etc. that cannot be even close to justified if you live at home. Yes, you can participate in school activities but you will meet people you would never meet in a traditional lecture and by going home. You have to set up your own study schedule because no one is forcing you to study. You make your own, individualized structure and leave the one your parents established. But I understand your point. It's tough to comment and understand if you've only lived at home.

yeah, but is it worth an extra 8-10K per year? was it that much fun? and i would need to get a job, and i would be afraid my grades would suffer.

 

[DrReo]

yeah, but is it worth an extra 8-10K per year? was it that much fun? and i would need to get a job, and i would be afraid my grades would suffer.

Mine cost 6500 for the year. If I were to have rented an apartment, it would have cost maybe a thousand less. It's a different experience. Study, hang out, research, and work (I was a lab TA) really helped develop time management. Figure out what works best for you with regards to studying. I'd really recommend living in the dorms first semester. It's awesome. My grandpa was a professor as always said, "every freshman should live in the dorms first year." It is his away of saying, maybe live in the dorms the first semester or whatever.

 

[glowworm]

Mine cost 6500 for the year. If I were to have rented an apartment, it would have cost maybe a thousand less. It's a different experience. Study, hang out, research, and work (I was a lab TA) really helped develop time management. Figure out what works best for you with regards to studying. I'd really recommend living in the dorms first semester. It's awesome. My grandpa was a professor as always said, "every freshman should live in the dorms first year." It is his away of saying, maybe live in the dorms the first semester or whatever.

what if it makes your parents mad at you though....i kinda wanted to, but i'm not sure, do you think its worth that?

 

[KempDrumsalot]

How would one rely on others by living in the dorm? How make more friends, meet more people, have organized events, etc. that cannot be even close to justified if you live at home. Yes, you can participate in school activities but you will meet people you would never meet in a traditional lecture and by going home. You have to set up your own study schedule because no one is forcing you to study. You make your own, individualized structure and leave the one your parents established. But I understand your point. It's tough to comment and understand if you've only lived at home.

I have basically raised myself, so I come from a little different experience. What I meant by relying on others to mature is that many people mature due to the enviroment around them, such as the new array of friends and lack of parental hand holding. I personally have never had a parental that has walked me through school, so I'm used to it. Also, I currently go to the campus regularly since I know maybe people at the school, so its not a big problem.

 

[Local]

Dorm all the way!! Especially Co-ed dorms!!!

 

[PandaBrewMaster]

Especially Co-ed dorms!!!

This is key 😉

 

[tennisball80]

Living with parents is much easier than living on your own. I wish I had the chance to live with my parents again.

 

[gabeybaby]

Living with parents is much easier than living on your own. I wish I had the chance to live with my parents again.

easier but i think we have to sacrifice some of our freedom for those with extremely strict parents
in the end, it all comes down to you and what your comfort zones.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

I don't know how much longer I will stick with my whole living-at-home plan. I'm thinking of spending the extra 8k a year and moving out.

 

[QofQuimica]

For those of you debating between living at home versus living in a dorm, why not have your cake and eat it too? Live at home while you're at your normal college, and spend a summer semester or two as a visiting student somewhere else. That way you still get to save money by living with your parents most of the time, but you'll also get to live in the dorms for a few months and see what another campus is like.

Personally, I think living in the dorms is highly overrated. I had the freshman roommate from hell, and my RA was an idiot and didn't do anything to help. After that, I started working for admissions and got my own room, and then I liked living in the dorms a lot better. 😉

 

[KempDrumsalot]

How many people actually stay for summer semester? I mean, I know I'm not staying for that rip-off.

 

[DrYoda]

Personally, I think living in the dorms is highly overrated.

I never really understood the appeal of them either. Unless the local real estate is sky high renting apartment/house/condo>>>>>>dorm.

How many people actually stay for summer semester? I mean, I know I'm not staying for that rip-off.

In my experience it seems that most don't. The ones I know that do usually are staying around because their job is in the area or they go to school year round.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

I think getting out of the house is a major appeal.

 

[QofQuimica]

How many people actually stay for summer semester? I mean, I know I'm not staying for that rip-off.

Why do you say that summer semester is a rip-off? Assuming you're paying by the credit hour, it should cost you the same per class to attend for the summer semester as for any other semester. You may have an easier time getting the classes you want during the summer, especially if you're at a large state U. Attending for the summer will also make it possible to take fewer credits and do more ECs/get better grades during the regular school year while still graduating on time. Summer semester gives you the perfect opportunity to take one or two of your school's silly but easy distribution requirements. I wouldn't suggest taking any med school pre-reqs over the summer if you can avoid it, though.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

Why do you say that summer semester is a rip-off? Assuming you're paying by the credit hour, it should cost you the same per class to attend for the summer semester as for any other semester. You may have an easier time getting the classes you want during the summer, especially if you're at a large state U. Attending for the summer will also make it possible to take fewer credits and do more ECs/get better grades during the regular school year while still graduating on time. Summer semester gives you the perfect opportunity to take one or two of your school's silly but easy distribution requirements. I wouldn't suggest taking any med school pre-reqs over the summer if you can avoid it, though.

It costs a ton to do the may, summer, ect terms at my uni. Public uni's might be different.

 

[JT91]

Would "cheap" undergrad hinder the chances of getting into medical school though?

 

[gabeybaby]

Would "cheap" undergrad hinder the chances of getting into medical school though?

i personally don't think so. any 4 yr institution is fine. i think it becomes a problem if you go to a community college and stop there.

 

[236116]

Would "cheap" undergrad hinder the chances of getting into medical school though?

LOL, no.

i personally don't think so. any 4 yr institution is fine. i think it becomes a problem if you go to a community college and stop there.

Most schools require a bacc, anyway, so you'd need a degree. A very very very few people get in with 90+ credits without a degree, so I suppose technically you could go to a community college and then get into medical school.

 

[DrYoda]

I think getting out of the house is a major appeal.

I understand that. My point was that there are other and IMO better alternatives to living in a dorm. Exceptions being really expensive areas such as Manhattan where renting rates are prohibitive.

I'm sure there's somewhere where they're a pretty sweet deal, but at least in my state there seems to be alot of BS that goes along with living in dorms(getting kicked out for a month in the winter for instance).

It costs a ton to do the may, summer, ect terms at my uni. Public uni's might be different.

Weird, mine it's actually better to do summer semester because you can squeeze more credit hours in before the inevitable fall tuition hike (I go to a public university).

 

[KempDrumsalot]

I understand that. My point was that there are other and IMO better alternatives to living in a dorm. Exceptions being really expensive areas such as Manhattan where renting rates are prohibitive.

I'm sure there's somewhere where they're a pretty sweet deal, but at least in my state there seems to be alot of BS that goes along with living in dorms(getting kicked out for a month in the winter for instance).




Weird, mine it's actually better to do summer semester because you can squeeze more credit hours in before the inevitable fall tuition hike (I go to a public university).

I think another big part of dorms is the lack of hassle. You pay your uni, they handle setting everything else up. I think, for freshman especially, renting an appartment can seem like a daunting task.

Hmm, that's different! I wish it was cheaper to go in the summer, I would definatly go for each one. (Private Uni)