College...I don't know if it's worth it for me.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>(Wow, I had to type everything again. When I submitted the thread, it brought me to the log in page, and when I tried to go back, log in page again. So, whoops.)</p>

<p>Turning twenty-years old soon, male. Just for reference, I guess. I’ve pretty much been alone in what I may need to do in the future. So, I’ve been attending at community college for many reasons. My idea is that I’m going to get my Associate’s Degree in Art, (Not actually pursing art, but it’s just one out of two Associate’s degrees that they offer.) spend a year getting transfer credits to a four-year university. I want to become a Social Worker, so I’d get my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, then I’d have to spend two years to get my Master’s in Social Work, along with a license. (Most jobs in Social Work require these.) I just want to help people find their motivations in life, and etc.. </p>

<p>But, I don’t think college is actually for me. First off, I don't really have any help to get from my parents to pay for college. My mom filed for bankruptcy and my dad doesn't like the idea of me going to college. I’ve relied on financial aid and grants from my own state. In my whole life, I only had two part-time jobs in my whole life, but only saved up $160.00 because I was more stupid with finances when I was younger. At least I don’t have my own credit card, but a debit card. With all of this, I don’t even know how I’m going to get a student loan. I don’t even know how to do that, either. So, I’ve been thinking that, to get a student loan and have some money for the future, that I work a full-time job after getting all the credits I need for the university that I want to go to. The tuition there is pretty high, though. It’s about $19,000.00, including mandatory fees, books, and supplies. Even then, I’d have to know where I’d live, because my parents’ house is too far away for me, not efficient at all. Room and board over there is like $9,000.00. So yeah, not even considering that. I don’t even know how to drive a car. My mom’s too busy for that, my dad’s vision is very bad and is partially disabled, and I don’t really have anybody else. I got my Learner’s Permit, at least. </p>

<p>Another factor, is that I’m kind of bad with academics. I currently have a 2.667 GPA. I don’t even party, I just get depressed about the future. I failed a remedial math course, in which I have to take again to get the math course I need that counts for credits towards my degree. So, I don’t know if I’d be acceptable, anyway. I also never got into extracurricular activities. </p>

<p>I ask myself a lot, if I’m actually better off already. I mean, I never really had to pay for any of my classes, so far. Not in debt. I don’t have to work much already. I don’t want to work a lot in the future. Maybe I’ll be poor as Hell in the future. I never really wanted to work a lot, anyway. I mean, being born in a world in which we all have to do hard work and pay bills. It’s not just work, it’s hard work. I just don’t want to live that life, but I know I have to face it. I don’t have too many interests to live for, anyway. I don’t want an intimate relationship, my own kids, or even pets. </p>

<p>In high school, I always talked more to the staff than peers, and we’d get into conversations about life in general. I’ve always been told that I have potential into getting where I want to. Specifically, my Social Worker thinks that I have a gift and that I need to spread this around to people. I also talk to a professor from my community college about life in general, and he said that he thinks that I have many gifts to share around the world. They both think that I’m articulate, observant, that I think so much differently than most people, that they want me to explain why I think this and that, and to explain their importance(s). But, no. Although the intrinsic value to spread around my perspectives on life seems good to me, I do need money. I can’t ever ignore money, and I don’t think doing this will ever get me to where I want. I love philosophy, ethics, and fine arts, but I know I might have to ditch them for at least a job that may be “worth it,” so I’ve chosen Social Work to at least spread/introduce my ideas, helping others, and while still earning money. </p>

<p>In the end, I expect that it’d take me eight years to get the degrees I want (…Not even including the license.) along with at least $75,000.00 in student loan debt, if I ever figure out how in the world will I get a student loan. This is based on if I don’t fail a class. </p>

<p>I'm really scared about my future.</p>

2

<p>._. I wish I could help </p>

<p>Sent from my iPhone using CC :)</p>

3

<p>I’ll throw in my chips and say: Yes, it is worth it for you.</p>

<p>Also, get the raw deal from the people who’ve been there, for example:
[Low</a> cost state school MSW students - Social Work - The GradCafe Forums](<a href=“Low cost state school MSW students - Social Workers Forum - The GradCafe Forums”>Low cost state school MSW students - Social Workers Forum - The GradCafe Forums)</p>

4

<p>You’re carrying a big load. But you really don’t have to do it alone.</p>

<p>What state are you in? Do you qualify as low income?</p>

<p>When you mentioned a driver’s license, I thought about Job Corps. It’s a federal program that gives you a free place to live, food, health care, etc. (If you don’t have your license, they will help you to get it.) You already have your high school diploma, so I think you’d get to take college classes. It may be wrong for you, but it’s at least worth reading the website.</p>

<p>Ditto for Americorps. It’s a one-year federal program that pays a modest living wage and gives you full-time community work. When you finish, you get a grant to be used for school.</p>

<p>There are programs like Questbridge and Posse Foundation, rhough you might be too far along to qualify. They’re worth a check, though.</p>

<p>You also should look at colleges like Berea that want smart low-income students and give full tuition scholarships to everyone they admit. They focus on essays and an interview, so your experience talking with adults should be helpful. I’m sure that professor would recommend you.</p>

<p>Some people are able to get jobs at colleges that let their full-time employees take courses for free. That lets the schools get good staff members even though the salaries aren’t great. It lets the employees save a lot of money, although going part-time does take longer.</p>

<p>And there are some employers that pay or reimburse their full-time employees for courses that count toward degrees. Look at banks, utilities, insurance companies, hospitals, and very large corporations.</p>

<p>i even know of a union that operates its own training and upgrading program for members. It’s a union for hospital workers. They’ve sent nursing assistants to nursing school, kitchen workers to technical school, and so on. They’ve even sent a few people to medical school!</p>

<p>Wherever you’re located, you probably have a public library. Librarians are your friends! They know how to find information and usually love to help people.</p>

<p>If you like to learn and think, you’re not bad at academics. With more support (leaving you with more energy to focus on school rather than survival), you might be excellent.</p>

<p>Keep at it!</p>

5

<p>Since your financial situation is so shaky, it might be best for you to sit down with the counselors at your community college and find out what direct-to-career programs they offer, and what kind of financial aid is available for them. For example, if you complete a Med. Tech. program, you would be able to get a job that would cover your living expenses and leave a bit over to pay for further education. Many clinics or hospitals that would hire you would also help pay for your next degree. Yes, it could take eight or ten more years to get to your M.S.W. by that route, but you would not end up past your eyeballs in student debt for it.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

6

<p>I’m in Illinois. My mom’s salary I think is about $33k, and my dad’s disabled. To be honest, I’m thinking about ditching college. I just don’t know.</p>

7

<p>Why not take a year off, work full time, get some perspective.</p>

8

<p>Yeah, I guess…</p>