Binghamton or Syracuse? Please help!!

<p>Hey guys, I would really appreciate it if someone would be able to give me the breakdown on these two schools and help me in my decision. I am currently a freshman at another NY state school, but I am transferring in the fall. </p>

<p>Up until yesterday, I was set on attending Syracuse university with the hopes of graduating from the Newhouse school of communications. I want to become a talent agent/manger in the entertainment industry, and I know Newhouse would be great for that. They also have great internship placement and alumni connections upon graduation. I also know the social aspect of Syracuse is very fun. In addition, if I never get into Newhouse (it's top 3 in the nation for communications) then I would graduate with liberal arts, which is still good from there I think. The downside is that it's private and costs more than 50k a year. After what my parents can afford, I'll owe about 100k in students loans.</p>

<p>I just recently got into binghamton. Binghamton is the ivy league of NY state schools, great education for the money, but kind of lacks a communication aspect. Also, if I save all that money by going here, I'll have the option of law school.</p>

<p>Can you guys tell me what you think in terms of tuition, education, Newhouse, and employment after graduation?</p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

<p>First of all, great handle, took all of 3 seconds to figure it out. I got to ‘hoist the cup’ in ’94 myself while attending an event.
Unless you have some kind of major connection in the entertainment industry and have a six figure salary waiting for you upon graduation I can’t see how you can justify 100K in student loans for almost any degree let alone one in communications or liberal arts. Do you realize to pay that back with interest compounding you’re looking at $1000 per month, every month for over 12 years! This is on top of what your parents will have contributed as well? That amount of debt will affect your ability to buy a house, afford a nice car, and go to grad school or law school. Even young people coming out of law school are feeling the impact of excessive student loan debt.<br>
It’s not like your Plan B is even remotely bad. You’re already aware that Binghamton is one of the top rated public universities in the country. The internships seem to be finding their way to Binghamton students. The alumni network appears to be growing as they draw more and more interest from outside of NY because of the academic reputation and cost.<br>
Your choice is between going to a very good school and graduating with $100K of debt or going to a very good school and graduating debt free and possibly having enough money to go to law school? Imagine the tremendous feeling you might have when you’ve made all those loan payments and after all those years you make that last payment and your finally free of your student loans . . . now imagine that you graduated debt free and invested that same money instead and have accrued a small fortune.<br>
For what it’s worth this is the same advice I’m giving my D right now who will be a freshman this fall. Her top choice right now is a SUNY and I’ll pay for it and she can graduate debt free. Good luck, I wish you the best.</p>

<p>Second and whole heartily agree with Yankeedad! Not just as a parent of a senior who has chosen Binghamton but as a Suny Alumni. Many doors are open for Suny Grads.</p>

<p>If you are not accepted to Newhouse as a freshman, I would not count on getting in after being accepted to SU in another major. They specify that for freshman candidates, who do not get into Newhouse… (as in… do not attend SU on the premise of transferring into Newhouse later) … If you are not accepted there from the start, it is not very probable after the fact. I would stick with SUNY Binghamton, unless you have formally been accepted into Newhouse.</p>

<p>@Nymomobsessed - Being in the entertainment industry may call for me living on the west coast, like LA. I am positive that Syracuse, especially the Newhouse program, has many connections on the west coast, and they have an internship program as there as well for Juniors and Seniors. </p>

<p>As a binghamton alumn, and with a son in Binghamton, do you think I’ll have similar opportunities? Or will I have to network more on my own b/c Binghamton is more connected with companies in NY?</p>

<p>any advice helps!! Thanks so much</p>

<p>@yankeedad. haha, it is unfortunate the way they are playing this year. Thanks for the advice, this will really help in making my decision. Just one more thing, when you get a chance-</p>

<p>Being in the entertainment industry may call for me living on the west coast, like LA. I am positive that Syracuse, especially the Newhouse program, has many connections on the west coast, and they have an internship program as there as well for Juniors and Seniors. </p>

<p>Do you think I’ll have similar opportunities? Or will I have to network more on my own b/c Binghamton is more connected with companies in NY? I am actually interning for a talent agency in nyc this summer, and that will hopefully lead to more opportunities.</p>

<p>any advice helps!! Thanks so much</p>