<p>So... I'm at a loss here. I'm a senior in high school and I've always known what I wanted to do with my life. I never doubted it. Now, nothing seems sure anymore. It's like there's to many options, and to many different people giving me advice. I don't know who to listen to, and now, I'm so confused on what's good advice anymore. </p>
<p>My neighbor, whose a washed out middle-aged man with not much to show for his life, and living with his girlfriend who provides for them, keeps telling me that it's worth it to spend more money on your education. (My parents aren't paying for anything concerning my college tuition and such, and the occupation I'm interested in does NOT pay much more than pennies, if that.) He keeps trying to tell me that it's ok to go into debt a little bit. He says "you get all A's. You'll get tons of scholarships. Go into debt a lil bit, but get the education you deserve. Don't be like me and have nothing to show for your life at 30 cause you didn't make the right decisions". </p>
<p>My question is what's the right decision?? My parents are very stubborn on the idea that I should not go into debt at ALL. No matter what. They want me to attend the community college and then a state college using the states scholarship program that I qualify for. Well, that's all fine, but those colleges don't teach the curriculum I need. The private school that I've wanted to go to all my life has what I need, but it's also quite a bit more expensive. </p>
<p>Please help! Even my eye doctor is giving me advice! I don't know who to listen to and who to just smile and thank for their concern. My head is spinning trying to come up with answers. I figure if y'all know something, maybe some more opinions wouldn't hurt. :) thank y'all for taking the time to help!!</p>
<p>Be careful about which colleges you’re willing to go into debt for. Think about what fields you’re interested in. If you need to go into debt to attend, say, Johns Hopkins as a pre-med student, then that might not be a bad call. Going into debt to attend the University of Idaho for Theatre? Your argument might not be quite as strong. Unless you’re accepted into a school that’s known for a program you’re interested in pursuing, it might not be a bad idea to avoid going too far into debt.</p>
<p>Don’t discount the less expensive option just because it’s, say, ten spots higher on the USNews list or whatever. It might not matter. For what it’s worth, I’m busy going through a pile of accounting with the padre to figure out how to pay for a horrendously expensive college that I’m betting will pay off in the end, but I’m planning on a career path that will (quite probably) pay more than pennies. Keep your future in mind–loans are not sympathetic critters.</p>
<p>I went into the attitude that I would have no debt. Because of this, my first year was awful. I was having to wash my clothes by hand in a sink, I had no wiggle room for spending, and I was late on my college payments.
This year, I’m taking out loans, but small ones that I know I have a chance of paying off. I want to be a music teacher and I realize that I will not make much.
Find middle ground. Maybe go to a state school, not a private school.
You might not get a ton of scholarships. I took 20 classes ( in 2 semesters) and had a GPA of 3.91 my first year. I got 0 scholarships my 2nd year. I just want you to realize that even if you get all A’s you might not get money.</p>
<p>In my experience, most college scholarships go to students who are underrepresented in their major, those involved in sports, or those talented in arts. Just getting good grades likely won’t be enough.</p>
<p>If your future profession doesn’t offer much financially and you’re passionate about pursuing it, start looking for the less expensive schools that offer what you need. Maybe your state university doesn’t provide the major or classes you want, but perhaps you could look at a state university in a different area. Also, doing the required liberal ed courses at a community college will save you a lot of money. If possible, talk to people who are working in your desired profession and see if they can recommend affordable schools and ways to manage tuition debt.</p>
<p>I am in the “debt is okay under the right circumstances” camp. </p>
<p>If you are set on a specific major and your state school does not offer it, do explore other options. Some private colleges are quite generous with need-based or merit-based financial aid; you just have to find them. Do keep in mind that most financial aid is awarded at the time of admission - if you don’t get enough aid in your first year, don’t expect more later.</p>
<p>How much debt is reasonable depends on your career prospects.</p>
<p>My goal is to be a missionary. So… that means I won’t really have any kind of an income. I want to go to Liberty University in Virginia, but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen due to expenses and such. State universities obviously don’t offer courses on religion and such that I want. And as to taking my neighbors advice, he makes a good point. He’s trying to make sure I don’t make the same mistakes he did and end up without a good education and in a career he hates. That’s why I’m so confused.</p>
<p>A number of seminaries offer an undergraduate education at a very low cost. Did you ever look into that option? (For example, the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX charges about $2,000 per semester. They require an Associate’s degree with liberal arts courses for admission, so you could cheaply attend a community college at home as planned.) </p>
<p>If you do attend a seminary, make sure it’s regionally accredited. You don’t want a degree that’s worthless outside of one particular church.</p>
<p>Hey, it’s okay. My parents did the same thing to me. You know what this means? That you could possibly (stressing possibly) get out of your undergrad years with a higher GA which would get you into a better grad school :)</p>