Hey y’all and hi to the people from my old thread. So, it’s been a year since I was in the Purdue, Marquette, Loyola dilema. I took everyone’s advice to go to cc and I can’t thank you guys enough. I decided to switch from an education major into an accounting/finance or accounting/econ double major. By going to cc it cut my tuition in half for a 4 year school ! As, I plan on being a future corporate lawyer I am planning to save for law school.
Currently deciding b/w:
Loyola (60k total)
North Central (44k total)
Depaul (80k)
these are all including living on campus, but i am open to commuting. What are your suggestions? I know LSAT and GPA and recommendations are important when applying to law school. Do you think it is better to live on campus or commute? Currently, I am at cc and I don’t find it bad to go home.
Once again, planning to apply in the field of business being accountant is the backup plan but lawyer is the dream.
I remember your previous threads. Attending cc was a great choice. The reason posters advised cc a year ago is because $40-80k wasn’t affordable for your family. Has your parents’ financial situation changed or are they still unable to contribute much to college?
Are those costs per year or for 2 years? How would you pay it? Are there any 4 year public universities you can commute to from home? Maybe something near Chicago? You don’t want undergrad debt if you plan to go to law school.
I can commute to all 3 of these schools and both loyola and depaul are in chicago, so i can commute by train. And north central i can drive and is about 40 minutes away. I have been admitted.
These cost are for two years and i plan to work over the summers. My parents can pay 200 a month.
The only public universities that i can commute to are uic and i don’t like it.
Also, to minimize debt i plan on taking more class at cc over the summer.
You have been accepted as a transfer to these schools? Aren’t you only a freshman in CC right now?
Regardless, you have to work with the transfer admissions people at all 3 schools to see what courses will transfer from your CC…my biggest concern right now is that these 3 schools won’t accept all of your courses causing you to attend more than 4 semesters. This is where UIC could be a better choice as they may have an articulation agreement with your CC…you should check into that. I understand that you said you don’t like UIC as well, but it is certainly as good a school as the three on your list.
I would also add that UIC might be the better choice of all the colleges you put down and might be your most economical also. Since you are just a freshman why not go for 2 years to save money then switch? Check with each school about your credit transfers as stated.
Also if money is at a premium then yes living at home will be a big money saver. I had to do this year’s ago and looking back not really a big deal. You can also meet friends and ask to hang out or sleep over once in awhile.
Also check into co-op opportunities at these colleges so you work a semester and get paid then use that money to help pay for school. Like one semester on and one semester off or the like. @Mwfan1921 Does UIC have something like that?
That is a good idea @knowstuff. I don’t know that there is a formal co-op program at UIC, but they have good business career services (separate from regular career services) which offers help in finding internships. Certainly some students might do an internship in fall or spring semester, rather than the summer. In a large city, non-summer internships are often possible as many employers have needs year round…I expect that a DePaul or Loyola student could do the same, not sure about North Central.
Another consideration for OP, as a potential finance/accounting/econ major, they have to make sure to take enough of the types of classes that will prepare them for the LSAT. I would prioritize econ and finance over accounting, as those classes will likely teach more critical thinking that may be beneficial on the LSAT.
With an accounting major OP’s job prospects/earnings would be somewhat limited until they had CPA designation, and one needs 150 credits to sit for that test…which is basically a master’s degree. So, if OP doesn’t want to work in accounting, why major in it? OP, is there an adviser at the CC that can help you? Is there a law school adviser? If not, you should look into the types of classes that one should take to best prepare for the LSAT.
Thank you i was placed as a sophomore in cc. The problem is i would have to take stats in order to go to uic. I have completed 46 credits out of 60 for an aa in arts. I believe all schools have an ariculation and i checked to see if all my classes transfered. @Knowsstuff@Mwfan1921
On the side note, what do you guys think about uiuc. I am just worried that it is really hard to get an good gpa , internship, and letter off rec because it is so big and competitive.
Some private schools have articulation agreements with CCs, some don’t. You also have to make sure the 4 year colleges give you credit for the dual enrollment/AP courses that allowed you to enter CC as a sophomore…that is not a given, again especially at private schools. I am not sure if you went thru credit by credit, course by course with a transfer admissions person at each school, but that is what you need to do. If after that they say they accept all your credits, then you are all set.
UIUC is good across the board. Gies School of Business is very good, certainly the highest ranked and best placement outcomes of the schools on your list. It sounds like you will not be able to commute there, given you are commuting distance from the other schools on your list. Look at the info here to see what your chances are https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/programs/undergraduate/admissions/off-campus-transfer-(oct)
They have a business school and tend to give great aid if your getting good grades. They have a mission to help students that come from non privilege situations and their kids get good internships and jobs.
If you’re planning law school, then you need to keep the debt down for your undergraduate. Law school is expensive and new attorneys don’t generally make a lot of money out of law school. It’s not uncommon for attorneys to get out of law school with $250k in student loans, which is about as much as a medical school graduate. Yet experienced lawyers only make a fraction of what doctors make.
If I were you, I would go some place affordable and commute.
But they do have 2 MS Fiance programs and one leads to a law degree.
You need to get to your “end” goal. The road getting there might be a little curvy. If they have 2 finance degrees they most likely would have something to get you there
I would make an appointment, bring your transcripts and have a talk about how you get to your end goal. I would honestly do this with all your mentioned schools since your local. You “might” be surprised at what you learn.
I had no money and no family help
40 years ago. I did have financial aid. But I “had” to go to a local college and live at home and work also. I found out early in my education that I didn’t have many choices of schools. I went to CC my first year to save money and get my educational act together. Then transferred to the good but local college while working. It was my end goal that motivated me and I would do just about anything to make that happen and I did.
You are realistically very limited due to your financial position. You can only take out so much in loans yourself. That is where I would start. Talk to each of those college about your situation. I know of someone that went to Illinois Wesleyan University and had to end after first year due to finances. He approached the school as a case study pleading for help to get his degree. He worked out a co-op type of thing and graduated and paid off his schooling there. He is currently one of their admission counselors. Sometimes when your back is against the wall you somehow just have to make things happen and be realistic what you can afford.
If you want to go to law school it’s best to minimize debt now. Have you taken any debt this year?
Can you pay tuition only at the transfer school(s) without taking on debt? What are the tuition only costs for the four schools you could commute to (include UIC please)?