I have recently been accepted to Purdue. My parents really want me to go there because it is the most prestigious school I got into and it is in state. However, I do not like Indiana. Also I do not like the town that purdue is in. Four years ago, I moved from Tuscan to a small town in Indiana and I do not like it here. In the past I lived in Los Angeles and Atlanta, so I am used to big cites with better weather. I really want to move back to a big and exciting city, however it will cost me lots of money and the schools I am considering are less prestigious. Should I just listen to my parents and attend Purdue?
Well, what you’ve posted here makes a strong argument in favor of your parent’s position: the schools you prefer are not as good and will cost a lot more money. Their position is even stronger if they are the ones who will be paying this money.
If Purdue is the most affordable and best college you got into, it is really hard to argue against going because you don’t like the weather or the town. Purdue is a large and vibrant campus so there should be enough going on that you won’t have to deal with the small town it is in. And you can always do a semester or year abroad or in a larger US city to break things up.
Where else did you apply and get accepted?
If you can find a school that is academically comparable, costs about what Purdue does, and is in a more exciting area, go for it. If you can’t, Purdue makes the most sense.
I got accepted to university of Arizona, University of Kentucky, Indiana University, and DePaul. I am still waiting to here back from Ohio state
Intended major?
Agree that if Purdue has the best academics and lowest cost, that is a strong argument in favor of it. (However, check each school to see if there is a secondary admission process to your major and how competitive it is.)
How big is the cost difference?
As much as $20K or $30K?
That would be a lot to pay for better weather and a more exciting neighborhood.
Yes money is a big issue, however you’re the one that will be going there. You do what you feel is the right choice for you.
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however it will cost me lots of money and the schools I am considering are less prestigious.
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“cost me lots of money”? Who will be paying for you to go elsewhere? How would YOU be paying?
If your PARENTS will be paying, then they certainly have the right to not want to pay MORE for a lesser school. It’s their money.
However, if you have a bank account, that consists of YOUR money to do what you want, then go where you want.
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My parents would prefer if I stayed in state for financial reasons;
Lastly I am planning on becoming a financial adviser.
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Hmmm…this could be your first “test” as a financial advisor.
how much MORE would it cost for you to go OOS?
Did you also apply to IU? Same tuition but probably more exciting location?
Congrats on all your acceptances!
Listening to your parents is always a good idea. It is critical that they feel like you understand where they are coming from. However, I have a bit of a different perspective on the school choice. I saw from another thread that you want to be a financial adviser.
I presume that means your major would be business administration, economics, accounting, or something like that. For business, US News and World Report shows University of Arizona and Purdue tied at 22nd nationally, and ASU at 29th. So from a prestige standpoint, these options are pretty close, though Purdue is considered more prestigious overall for what that’s worth. Of course, US News is not the last word, but is at least a reasonable starting point. Clearly these are all schools with great business programs.
But what is also important is where you may want to live and work after after graduating. Each school will give you its own set of opportunities for internships, local connections, people who recruit, and so forth. Especially for financial advising, these things are crucial. If you prefer to settle in Arizona over Indiana, then U of A or ASU could potentially take you a lot further with their local ties and alumni base.
That just leaves the cost difference - $10k in state tuition for Purdue, versus $30k out-of-state for Arizona/ASU. I presume financial aid or merit scholarship could make up some of the difference.
Long story short, I don’t think you are stupid for at least investigating your options! Maybe you want to post over in the Arizona or ASU threads about your dilemma to get some more specific ideas of the pros and cons.
Did you get into Kelley at IU?
What about Kelley Indianapolis at IUPUI in downtown Indy and major in Finance? It solves half of your issues. Literally blocks from Lucas Oil, Mass. Ave., and circle center. Pacers, Indy 11, concert venues and foodies paradise.
Doesn’t solve the weather issue. But if you stay in the Tower you NEVER have to go outside because of the Gerbil tubes and tunnels.
Food for thought.
Purdue has Co-op programs that you might check out. You would spend time elsewhere, actually earning a respectable salary while advancing both your education and future career. I don’t know about Purdue, but oftentimes co-op assignments can be far from the college locale. So maybe you could please your parents and yourself too, sort of.
Bloomington is a beautiful, fun and vibrant place to go to school and you’ll meet people from all over. Is Purdue really that much better than Indiana? If not, then talk to your parents about going there. Is the cost similar?
What are your stats? What’s your parents’ budget?
As whenhen said, if you can find a comparable college at a comparable price, but in a location you like better, then it should be ok, right?
Purdue’s mostly known for STEM, so since you’d be in business/economics, you may have a shot at proving “elsewhere” is better.
Did you apply to Indiana Kelley and not get in (considering how famous it is in Finance)?
Would you be open to applying to a few more schools that are well-known for finance if the deadlines haven’t passed (Babson, Bentley, Bryant, Baruch, UMN-Twin Cities…) and if you like warm weather what about Tulane? Occidental or McKenna depending on stats (and deadlines)?
I think a lot of people focus too much on the college town… universities make sure to make the campus as brilliant and exciting as possible. You probably will not be outside of the campus much due to the courseload that can and does come with being a student. Just go and see how you like it. You can always transfer.
^be careful with “you can always transfer”: transfers get lousy aid. You can transfer back to your instate options (but having lost any shot at a merit scholarship) but this is very unlikely for the reverse (ie., spend a year instate then apply out of state) due to costs.
Overall, OP, you need to find an equivalent university in a location you like better.
Did you get into ASU Barrett?