<p>I've noticed that everyone on these threads wants to go to prestigious undergrad schools like the IVYs and expensive privates AND attend grad school. Wouldn't it be more logical to attend a state public university, do well, and then attend one of the prestigious grad schools. Thereby saving money, obtaining a more prestigious degree, and achieving maximum education in preparation for a job?</p>
<p>It’s a tough question. If you know 100% that you want to go to grad school, and that you’ll do well enough at the state school to get into a top grad school, then from a dollars and cents point of view – maybe.</p>
<p>However, people change plans, and many many people find that they have vastly different interests leaving college than they did entering it. In such cases, there is a perceived advantage to having attended a top private school.</p>
<p>Bottom line – we could discuss this all day, and still not arrive at a clear answer.</p>
<p>howdoudo989 - As a general statement, I happen to agree with you but it is a tough one and there is no “one size fits all” answer. Lot’s of depends, what if’s and maybe scenarios that keeps this in the not so clear area.</p>
<p>For some people an expensive private school may end up costing less than their state school.</p>
<p>I don’t qualify for financial aid and all of my family’s assets are tied to land properties, which aren’t selling in this economy, so money is a bit of an issue. Since the job market isn’t expected to improve until 2016, I feel that graduate school could be a cushion in these hard times.</p>