<p>If I want to major in biochemisty I could go instate to University of South Carolina or I could go to Clemson for relatively cheap if not free because of scholarships. I'm wondering if it would be better for me to try and go out of state to a school with a top program, such as University of California at Berkely or University of Colorado at Boulder vs. staying instate. The main issue is finances. Is it worth taking loans out to go to a good program or would it be better for me to just stay in state? Thanks</p>
<p>No, in this economy I would not advise that you take out loans to go to a good program. If you can find an out-of-state choice that is within your budget or you have enough scholarships to make the debt as small as possible, then I would consider the out-of-state school. I know at least that Clemson has an excellent science program and a pretty similar degree at Colorado (well UC-Berkeley is in a league of its own) is not worth loans.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if it’s too late for you to apply, but from what I’ve seen it’s best to apply to as many as possible so that you can compare multiple financial aid offers (some might surprise you). UC Berkeley is great but, will not give much aid & is not worth the 6 figure debt it will give an OOS student. Ultimately, I think it’s best to go to the cheapest and best school available to you, which is usually your state’s flagship. Save the loans for the best grad school.</p>
<p>Biochemistry does not have particularly good job and career prospects at the bachelor’s degree level. And medical school is expensive, so you do not want to be dragging a lot of undergraduate debt around. So, either way, taking on a lot of debt to study biochemistry is not a good idea.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if it would be better for me to try and go out of state to a school with a top program, such as University of California at Berkely or University of Colorado at Boulder vs. staying instate. The main issue is finances. Is it worth taking loans out to go to a good program or would it be better for me to just stay in state?</p>
<p>Are you a junior or senior?</p>
<p>If you’re a senior, which schools have you applied to?</p>
<p>What is your GPA and ACT/SAT scores? </p>
<p>How much will your family pay each year?</p>
<p>* I could go instate to University of South Carolina or I could go to Clemson for relatively cheap if not free because of scholarships*</p>
<p>Are you sure? I didn’t think these schools had many/any “free rides scholarships.”</p>
<p>Clemson doesn’t provide the “free ride scholarship” but the state of South Carolina has scholarships (LIFE and Palmetto) that can cover up to the cost of attendance.</p>
<p>You’re framing this as a choice between in-state public and OOS public universities. This frequently will be a bad choice just because public universities have such limited aid for OOS students.</p>
<p>If you believe you can get into Berkeley as an OOS applicant, then why aren’t you considering private schools? Berkeley’s total OOS cost is over $50K; average OOS cost after need-based aid (if you get it) is >$36K. At Rice, the average cost after need-based aid is about $21K.</p>