<p>I am a 4.0 UW GPA student, with a good SAT score, and a good number of extracurriculars with leadership positions. After college, I want to teach English as a foreign language in Korea and afterwards come back to the States to open my own business. Im still a bit conflicted on what I should major in and I do think that my future plans are subject to change. My parents want me to go to a well-known college because of my capabilities as a student and the draw to employers a prestigious university has. I, on the other hand, havent been looking for prestige but rather for a university where I can be happiest and most successful at. Since my first goal is to become a teacher, I figured my best chances were to go to a state university where the university is generally well-known to local school districts and I can get state certification. That way I can gain a bit of experience here at home first before I head out to Korea. Additionally, I would qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship and quite possibly get a substantial financial aid package from state universities. Out of the state universities UCF attracts me the most due to its urban location as opposed to FSU and UF, its amazing progress and its close relationship with potential employers due to its research park. My parents, however, are adamantly against UCF because of their attachment to prestige. I see their point, but since I do not plan to go to into a profession that requires great networking, I don't see the point in spending more of my parents money on a more prestigious university. To this my parents have told me to not think about the money. This has been the subject of several heated conversations in my household as of late that have left me conflicted. Im not sure what to do. I've thought of compromising with them by saying that I would transfer out of UCF to a more prestigious university after finishing general education requirements, but I don't know if that's my best option. What are your opinions on this?</p>
<p>When your parents say not to think about money…what’s really going on? Do they have the money/savings to pay for a top school? </p>
<p>Or are they thinking that they’d borrow up the kazoo to pay for a top school?</p>
<p>What are your test scores? </p>
<p>UCF is in Orlando, right? What is the “urban” part that you like…and what is the part that you don’t like about FSU (which is similarly urban).</p>
<p>They really havent been clear to me about their financial situation. I do know they have money saved up, but Im not exactly sure how much that is because I’ve been given different answers the times it has been mentioned.</p>
<p>As for FSU and UCF, I’ve heard Tallahassee has a more town-like feel to it as opposed to Orlando which is a vibrant city. But in all honesty I’ve heard more about Orlando than Tallahassee and how there are many things to do and see in Orlando.</p>
<p>Oh, and my SAT is 2140. I havent taken the ACT yet, but I’ve scheduled to take it next month and am retaking the SAT this Saturday.</p>
<p>Where do you live (state?) Are you Korean American? </p>
<p>What is the basis of your parents hangup on prestige? Is it about “them?” or about you? Tell them they should primarily be interested in your happiness and safety, and your grades will more than make up for any prestige. </p>
<p>You are too young to decide permanent career jobs at this point and the world is too much in flux. You dont know who you will meet in school, what professors will motivate you, what light bulb will go on in your head. Many kids enter college with one idea and end up majoring in something different. And many double major or major/minor. </p>
<p>Some state schools are fine…many are very prestigious in rankings…but also very large and cold and bureaucratic and a real zoo…hard to complete your degree in four years as courses fill up quickly. </p>
<p>I prefer small colleges, frankly. LAC’s or smaller National Universities. Many will give you enough scholarship money or grant money to make up the difference in tuition with state schools. Reaching for too much prestige can affect that negatively however as schools down the ladder a bit will be more likely to give you the money. </p>
<p>Prestige is a factor, but its not a guaranty of happiness or success. Visiting a school is paramount. Get the vibe, the feel. Talk to students and profs. You will know in your heart if that school fits your interests and objectives and lifestyle. </p>
<p>Apply to many schools…all shapes and sizes and selectivity. The goal is to get a handful of really good choices (5 or so) from which you ultimately select your final destination. </p>
<p>Never attend a college sight unseen. Your parents may be paying for it, but they arent attending, and its your life…and you are the one who has to live with your decision.</p>
<p>Do people make mistakes? Yes. But most kids make good decisions and are very happy…even after the adjustment period as freshmen. </p>
<p>I applaud your broad perspective and outlook. Just be careful not to pick too large a school. That is my advice. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>n.b. make a list of your top 10 objectives/wish list/things you like in a school etc. Then make a list of your top 10 pet peeves. Then make a list of 20 schools you think fit. Then whittle it down to 12 schools and apply to them. Select your destination after visiting at least three schools. </p>
<p>And yes some really good schools exist in the second tier.</p>
<p>2140 SAT is outstanding. Congrats. </p>
<p>You qualify for outstanding scholarships at many private colleges…LAC’s and small private National Universities. LOOK AT THOSE CLOSELY. Its okay to apply to a mix of state schools and private colleges. Some state schools have really good Honors Colleges as well and you qualify for those clearly! </p>
<p>Use Petersen’s or Barron’s or similar college directories if you are lost and confused. Start geographically…how close or how far do you want to be from home? Be honest. </p>
<p>I recommend only being a day’s car drive away…up to 8-9 hours drive (or 2 hour plane ride) at the farthest. That means you can get away and be yourself, but close enough for emergencies or holidays. Some say don’t venture more than 4 hours…but I have a larger geographic limit than that. </p>
<p>Don’t be turned off by religious affiliation either. Many schools have historical ties to a religion (mostly Catholic schools), but that doesnt mean you have to practice that religion or worry about being treated badly. e.g. Duke is Methodist…but its just a historical tie.</p>
<p>If you live in Florida, then look very closely at UMiami. Its a fine school. They will give you lots of money.</p>
<p>I live in Florida and I am in fact half Korean. I believe my parents want prestige for me because they believe that having that prestige would make my life easier. I don’t think they’re pushing me towards prestige for their own bragging rights.</p>
<p>As for your advice, it was very insightful. Thank you very much.
I’ll be sure to look into LACs. I do understand your warning against big universities, especially since UCF is really one of the largest out there, but I’ve been interested in attending the Honors college which has its privileges with much smaller class sizes and priority in choosing courses. I also believe I can finish quite quickly at UCF because of AP/IB credit I can receive.</p>
<p>I will be applying to more than UCF of course. I do think it would be stupid to put all my eggs in one basket, so thank you for the suggestions. The only thing would be if my parents don’t think the smaller LACs are prestigious enough either, which would be a problem. I think thats where I would have to draw the line though between what is really best for me and what they think is best for me.</p>
<p>If you intend to become a school teacher, check into the teacher credentialing process in the state you want to teach in. This may alter the relative favorability of the various universities. (What subject(s) are you interested in teaching in the US?)</p>
<p>In some international contexts, the prestige of a US university where one got a degree from may be significantly more important than in the US. However, this is more along the lines of business and finance; it may or may not apply to an English-as-second-language teacher.</p>
<p>You may want to check whether the curriculum in your major at UF, FSU, UCF, and other schools is at the appropriate level of depth and rigor for you. In some cases, a school that is a low safety for you may have lower expectations of its students due to lower selectivity, which can mean unsatisfying course work there for a top student.</p>
<p>The other thing to consider is cost, net of non-loan financial aid. You can see if each school’s web site has a “cost of attendance” and “financial aid estimator” web page findable by using its search box.</p>
<p>*As for FSU and UCF, I’ve heard Tallahassee has a more town-like feel to it as opposed to Orlando which is a vibrant city. But in all honesty I’ve heard more about Orlando than Tallahassee and how there are many things to do and see in Orlando. *</p>
<p>It sounds like you haven’t been to either campus, so you shouldn’t be ruling out FSU. Tally is the capital city, so it’s certainly vibrant. </p>
<p>Gainesville is more quiet, but I still wouldn’t rule out UF.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t pick UCF over FSU (or another school) because of Orlando and the WDW atmosphere. You can always visit Orlando occasionally during breaks if that’s what you want. </p>
<p>If you can, try to get clarification as to what they have saved FOR college (which still means that they have savings for themselves). Sometimes parents will devote ALL their savings chasing after unnecessary prestige.</p>
<p>With your stats, you could get good merit scholarships to other schools. Also look at UMiami and OOS schools for merit.</p>
<p>Go for the prestige, not that you will need it, but because it might one day be nice to have.</p>
<p>After all you never know what kind of job market you will be graduating into, with the current hiring freeze of teachers almost universal nationally, hopefully it gets better for you.</p>
<p>Congratulations on doing so well! With your academic abilities and good sense, you will do well wherever you go.</p>
<p>You really do need to have a frank discussion with your parents about money. Have them help you through the FAFSA 4Caster, and see if they are willing and able to pay the EFC yearly without loans. Everyone talks about how kids shouldn’t saddle themselves with major loans, but neither should parents. If your parents really can handle it, that’s one less thing to worry about.</p>
<p>I would also recommend schools which might be a level above your state schools in rigor (not to diss those schools, because I know nothing about them) but where you would still be eligible for good scholarships.</p>
<p>Often, when people want prestige, they want the schools that everyone has heard of. Those schools turn down students as awesome as you are, and the whole debate might be moot. Why don’t you ask your parents which two or three prestige schools they would like you to apply for, do your best in applying for them, and also apply to the ones you like?</p>
<p>
The super-prestigious universities, the ones known by name to everyone, take very few transfer students.</p>
<p>
OP, sorry about this, but in many cases, your parents really are the better judge of what’s best for you.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Go for the prestige</p>
<p>Only if you know FOR SURE that your parents can pay for it without jeopardizing their financial future. Some families insist on prestige with some odd idea that their child will get some fab job and support THEM later on (or pay back the debt that was taken on).</p>
<p>I don’t know how it is in Korea, but I went to an international school far away from the US, and very few of my American teachers had graduated from state schools (the two exceptions I can think of being Berkeley and UMich, but those were graduate degrees, iirc); most of them had gone to well known liberal arts colleges, like Swarthmore, Oberlin, Middlebury, Claremont McKenna, Williams, Amherst, etc., with some people coming from larger research institutions like Northwestern, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Harvard. Make of that what you will.</p>
<p>Or rather, do your research. Go to the websites of the Korean schools you’d like to teach at and look at the profiles of their international teachers.</p>
<p>You’re deluding yourself if you think landing a cushy job at an international school in an attractive location like Seoul or Tokyo or Shanghai doesn’t take ‘networking,’ or isn’t something you’d have to compete with Princeton and Stanford grads for.</p>
<p>I’m not saying that prestige is everything and you’ll never amount to anything if you don’t go to Yale, or anything like that; it just seems to me that you’re basing an important decision on some very misinformed ideas about how the job market is trending.</p>
<p>@Ghostt
I havent been considering teaching at international schools, but in Korean public schools where they hire native English speakers to teach through recruitment agencies like Korvia, so I’m not sure to what extent the trends in international schools hold true in the public schools. From what I have researched so far, I haven’t seen much to support your statement, but I’ll be sure to look more into it. Thank you.</p>
<p>I think the general consensus here has been that if my parents can handle the costs comfortably, then I should go for the prestige. I understand. Theres definitely no harm in having a prestigious university under my belt, if tuition is not a big problem. Thank you everyone for your input.</p>
<p>As a Florida Dad, I agree with your parents, and would recommend that you go to UF.</p>
<p>I realize that UCF is probably more exciting, as there is much more to do in Orlando.</p>
<p>(I have an office near Orlando, so I know)</p>
<p>My son is applying to UF, and I would think that spending four years in Gainesville would indeed quickly get boring, but nonetheless, I would go for the prestige of UF, as it is far more nationally known than UCF.</p>
<p>Further, I never met one kid who said he or she didn’t love going to UF.</p>
<p>Also, you may not always want to be a teacher.</p>
<p>UCF is not well known outside the State of Florida.</p>
<p>Moneywise, UCF and UF would be about the same. </p>
<p>And if your parents are willing to pay to send you to an expensive prestigious private university, I would thank my lucky stars and take that route over UF.</p>
<p>xsavidou -</p>
<p>Rather than using the FAFSA4caster, I would recommend that your parents print out the formula for 2012-2013 itself, and work through it on paper. Here is the link: <a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/082511EFCFormulaGuide1213.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/082511EFCFormulaGuide1213.pdf</a> If they have anything complicated in their finances, they will be able to test out various scenarios. For example, savings in your name is evaluated differently than savings in their name. You can also take your questions about this to the Financial Aid Forum.</p>
<p>For ideas on where and how to get certification in TESOL if it isn’t offered as an undergrad program anywhere in Florida, check out <a href=“Home - English Language Professional's Resource Guide”>Home - English Language Professional's Resource Guide; This is a great profession! I have former classmates teaching all around the world. Some are even in Korea.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>If you want to go to Korea, I’d assume prestige is very important (Or what Koreans see as prestigious). I know a fair share of Koreans, and prestige seems to be quite important. </p>
<p>Also, my cousin tutors in Korea, and since he didn’t graduate from a “well known” school like the ivies, or BU or NYU (in Korea, these schools are popular), he had some difficulty. He found work, though.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind, if your family makes under a certain amount, very prestigious private schools do offer very generous f.a. This may sway you.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you think public universities will help you get into teaching more than private ones will. You’ll have way more opportunities to get hands-on experience in smaller and/or more prestigious universities, and the teaching quality and attention is going to be on a different planet if you compare intro courses at a massive state school to a tiny LAC.</p>
<p>I’m not saying you shouldn’t go to a public university, though. What I’m saying is don’t write off your other options. Visit a mix of them, apply to a bunch and see who gives you the best deal. Don’t make up your mind right now before you even see what you’re going to be paying. The sticker price is VERY often massively different from the average price students pay.</p>
<p>Kudryavka -</p>
<p>Someone who wants to make a career in teaching really does need to find out which colleges/universities produce graduates who are most likely to get hired in the area where he/she wants to work. Some teaching markets are very local and often a grad of the closest public U with strong ties to a school district will get the job over any other candidate.</p>