college advice?

Taniel · 11-06-2009, 12:58 AM

So I'm a senior in high school and I'm going to be applying to a few Ivy Leagues. Assuming I get in, is it worth paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for undergrad?... I think I'm a shoe in for Berkeley, which is a lot cheaper. What do you guys think?

Scrapppy666 · 11-06-2009, 07:11 AM

go where you really want to go, otherwise you may regret it later in life... the money you can pay back eventually assuming you take loans to cover it

SlingShot · 11-06-2009, 07:11 AM

Depends what you want to be when you grow up ......

Word to the wise, don't go to school or take a job just for the money.... If you really want to figure out what you want to spend the rest of your life doing, figure out what you would do for free because you enjoy it so much ..... That's the job for you....

FenwickHockey65 · 11-06-2009, 09:08 AM

Visit the campuses, take a tour, figure out which one you like best, and go for it if you can afford it.

Xanthos · 11-06-2009, 09:13 AM

When I graduated high school I was accepted at and wanted to attend Stanford (not Ivy league, but just giving an example), but couldn't afford it. I ended up attending OU instead.

5 semesters later I'm dropping out of college because the career I now want to pursue (because you'll change your mind - everybody does) doesn't require a college degree and in fact requires two years of training I'd have to do even if I did get a college degree.

College in general is just not for everyone - not saying that not everybody can handle college, but not every needs to go to college. What if you decide college isn't the place for you? Then you've got a ton of debt for nothing.

My honest opinion is that you'd be better off attending a high ranking state institution for undergrad work and then going to a big name place for your graduate work if you decide to go on past undergrad.
- X

AdamCzap · 11-06-2009, 09:33 AM

I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2005 - not long ago! My advice to you is stick with Berkeley. It's a very reputable school, and in my opinion there is nothing you can do at any Ivy school that you can't do at UC.

The advice of, "Go to college, get a degree, and then get a safe, secure job with a pension" is 50 year-old advice. There is no need, imo, to be $100,000 or more in debt after your UNDERGRAD!!! Give me a break. I'm not trying to discount these awesome private schools, but your credentials to an employer after college are all the same: you're jobless and have no experience.

My $.02

texan · 11-06-2009, 09:38 AM

my advice, GO to college! spend time picking one, visit, etc..$ is always a factor for most people...you can always transfer

NoUCantDriveIt · 11-06-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlingShot

Depends what you want to be when you grow up ......

Word to the wise, don't go to school or take a job just for the money.... If you really want to figure out what you want to spend the rest of your life doing, figure out what you would do for free because you enjoy it so much ..... That's the job for you....

Good advice Sling.

A paycheck is a poor motivator for doing a job well. And doing a job poorly because you have no passion for it can put a stop to the paychecks.

Another option is to check into how well credits would transfer from Berkeley. Go to Berkeley for Prereq’s and the usual 1st year stuff while you figure out if you want to continue on with the major, then transfer to Ivy League if you still want to go that route.

HeatherR · 11-06-2009, 10:26 AM

I also think what you're going for could be a factor....If you know what you're going for it may help...Also, do you intend to go straight into grad school?

Justin · 11-06-2009, 11:50 AM

When I was a senior I was hell-bent on going to Syracuse. I got in, but declined because I realized I was being a complete idiot, because I want to teach, and it's not worth going to a massively expensive private school just so I can get out and make $40k a year.

So, if you want to go for like pre-med, pre-law, business, or something else that is an extremely competitive field, then go to the best school you can, but if you want to teach or something, don't.

2ndgenz28 · 11-06-2009, 12:30 PM

It depends on why your going there.

Are you going to be a nose to the grind stone person from day 1 to year 4 or are you gonna get swept up into college thing of just scrapping by your first 2 years as you are to busy studdying your beer n water bong skills.

Which you can do at a local cheap school.

rico-2SS · 11-06-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlingShot

Depends what you want to be when you grow up ......

Word to the wise, don't go to school or take a job just for the money.... If you really want to figure out what you want to spend the rest of your life doing, figure out what you would do for free because you enjoy it so much ..... That's the job for you....

listen to this man.

HeatherR · 11-06-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

When I was a senior I was hell-bent on going to Syracuse. I got in, but declined because I realized I was being a complete idiot, because I want to teach, and it's not worth going to a massively expensive private school just so I can get out and make $40k a year.

So, if you want to go for like pre-med, pre-law, business, or something else that is an extremely competitive field, then go to the best school you can, but if you want to teach or something, don't.

This is exactly what I was getting at....I am a teacher too and it is just foolish to pay a ton of money for a degree...as long as you attend a decent school and do well you'll have the sam job opportunites and pay.

That is not true of all, so it really depends what you're going for. Also, some schools are better for different majors etc.

The advice that asked how dedicated you were is right on target...Unless you're ready to put 100% in day one and get out in 4 years (not 6!) skip any high priced school until you're ready...no disrespect...just something to consider.

Nova65 · 11-06-2009, 01:09 PM

As a college recruiter for a large engineering firm in the Los Angeles area, I know from personal experience that companies do not necessarily pay you more based upon the school you go to. Your salary will be determined by your major, GPA, achievements, and internship/co-ops . Unless you are able to receive a large amount of financial aid or scholarships, I would not recommend taking on huge loans to go to a Ivy League school. Remember, even bankruptcy won’t wipe away students loans.

11-06-2009, 12:58 AM	#1
Taniel v8 rumble... Drives: Black 2LT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Glendale, CA Posts: 40	college advice? So I'm a senior in high school and I'm going to be applying to a few Ivy Leagues. Assuming I get in, is it worth paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for undergrad?... I think I'm a shoe in for Berkeley, which is a lot cheaper. What do you guys think? __________________

11-06-2009, 07:11 AM	#2
Scrapppy666 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Black/Black Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,281 View My Garage	go where you really want to go, otherwise you may regret it later in life... the money you can pay back eventually assuming you take loans to cover it __________________ Pittsburgh Automotive Photography Black on Black 2SS/RS w/ white stripes Dynomax 3" Bullet Catback, CAI Cold Air Intake

11-06-2009, 07:11 AM	#3
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	Depends what you want to be when you grow up ...... Word to the wise, don't go to school or take a job just for the money.... If you really want to figure out what you want to spend the rest of your life doing, figure out what you would do for free because you enjoy it so much ..... That's the job for you.... __________________

11-06-2009, 09:08 AM	#4
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	Visit the campuses, take a tour, figure out which one you like best, and go for it if you can afford it. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

11-06-2009, 09:13 AM	#5
Xanthos PWA Relapse Drives: Formerly-Stick Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 12,588 View My Garage	When I graduated high school I was accepted at and wanted to attend Stanford (not Ivy league, but just giving an example), but couldn't afford it. I ended up attending OU instead. 5 semesters later I'm dropping out of college because the career I now want to pursue (because you'll change your mind - everybody does) doesn't require a college degree and in fact requires two years of training I'd have to do even if I did get a college degree. College in general is just not for everyone - not saying that not everybody can handle college, but not every needs to go to college. What if you decide college isn't the place for you? Then you've got a ton of debt for nothing. My honest opinion is that you'd be better off attending a high ranking state institution for undergrad work and then going to a big name place for your graduate work if you decide to go on past undergrad. - X __________________ 2017 1LT/RS A8 Hyper Blue Metallic

11-06-2009, 09:33 AM	#6
AdamCzap Drives: 18 zl1, 17 sierra denali Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Detroit Area Posts: 471	I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2005 - not long ago! My advice to you is stick with Berkeley. It's a very reputable school, and in my opinion there is nothing you can do at any Ivy school that you can't do at UC. The advice of, "Go to college, get a degree, and then get a safe, secure job with a pension" is 50 year-old advice. There is no need, imo, to be $100,000 or more in debt after your UNDERGRAD!!! Give me a break. I'm not trying to discount these awesome private schools, but your credentials to an employer after college are all the same: you're jobless and have no experience. My $.02

11-06-2009, 09:38 AM	#7
texan Drives: people crazy Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: duh Posts: 191	my advice, GO to college! spend time picking one, visit, etc..$ is always a factor for most people...you can always transfer

11-06-2009, 10:26 AM	#9
HeatherR Drives: 2009 CTS, 2008 Solstice GXP Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 769 View My Garage	I also think what you're going for could be a factor....If you know what you're going for it may help...Also, do you intend to go straight into grad school?

11-06-2009, 11:50 AM	#10
Justin Camaro5's Cell Phone Geek Drives: '02 V6 Camaro. 5 speed manual. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 406	When I was a senior I was hell-bent on going to Syracuse. I got in, but declined because I realized I was being a complete idiot, because I want to teach, and it's not worth going to a massively expensive private school just so I can get out and make $40k a year. So, if you want to go for like pre-med, pre-law, business, or something else that is an extremely competitive field, then go to the best school you can, but if you want to teach or something, don't. __________________ 2SS RJT with black rally stripes, RS package, sunroof, painted engine block cover. It's either that or a damned similar 'vert in a few years.

11-06-2009, 12:30 PM	#11
2ndgenz28 Thread Killer Drives: All Black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NWO Toledo Area Posts: 4,720	It depends on why your going there. Are you going to be a nose to the grind stone person from day 1 to year 4 or are you gonna get swept up into college thing of just scrapping by your first 2 years as you are to busy studdying your beer n water bong skills. Which you can do at a local cheap school.

11-06-2009, 01:09 PM	#14
Nova65 Drives: 2010 2LT RS Auto IBM Black Int Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Azusa, CA Posts: 396	As a college recruiter for a large engineering firm in the Los Angeles area, I know from personal experience that companies do not necessarily pay you more based upon the school you go to. Your salary will be determined by your major, GPA, achievements, and internship/co-ops . Unless you are able to receive a large amount of financial aid or scholarships, I would not recommend taking on huge loans to go to a Ivy League school. Remember, even bankruptcy won’t wipe away students loans.

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