As for your question about the extremely rare, almost unrealistic dream job, without knowing a lot more, the short answer is no. That’s a poor reason to choose a school.
@Chardo yeah I visited and really liked both. And what I meant about the dream job is I know how unlikely it is, but OSU has a club that would basically allow me to live out my dream during college. That’s the major draw bc it’s an opportunity I cant find anywhere else and won’t be able to find later in life (unless by some work of God I did get my dream job).
It is clear that you have a strong preference for Ohio State. For me, the most compelling reason is that you want to stay in the Midwest and the regional connections you will make “might” be worth the upcharge. It is also possible that through paid summer internships, you might be able to minimize your debt as you go (true in both places).
Both schools have strong reputations and excellent honors programs. They are both large enough that you will find your niche. I am sure that you will make the most of the opportunities before you, wherever you end up, even if it’s not your first choice.
Good luck to you!
@mamaedefamilia thanks!
It really sounds like you want tOSU.
Next step : dealing with costs.
You get a 5.5k loan, whatever you can save from your job (if you don’t have one, get one), and your parents ’ contribution. Does it add up?
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I think you need to run the numbers and compare them. Of course once you get your financial aid packet from both schools that would be easy to do. It sounds like you really want to determine that now and make a decision.
Would you be able to borrow enough money to attend OSU? I think people on CC here have posted the maximum you can borrow each year. If you are not able to borrow enough to cover the costs, are your parents willing to take out loans to help you? Looking at cost and financing might answer your question about which university to attend.
How sure are you that UA doesn’t have a similar club?
@AlbionGirl 100% sure. OSU is one of only like 5 schools to have it
Why not start the club you want at UA?
I’m not sure what you did, but that’s not accurate. I have less debt than that and my student loan payment is around $400/month.
StudentAid.ed.gov has a repayment calculator. Under standard repayment, with a $45,000 loan balance you’d be paying $518 a month. You may be eligible for income-based repayment depending on how much you make - I entered a single student making $65,000 a year, and that student was eligible for PAYE and IRB (both of which would have him paying $393/month at least to start out).
Personally, especially in engineering I don’t see the point of borrowing the extra $45K when you can graduate debt-free from UA Honors. It does sound like you prefer Ohio State a lot.
But quite frankly, I gotta say - as someone nearly 10 years out from undergrad now, but who just started repaying her loans last year due to graduate school - I’m willing to bet that 2-3 years from graduation, you would rather have the extra $500 in your pocket every month than the warm, fuzzy memories of OSU and the club. $500. A. Month. That’s $6,000 a year. That’s a car down payment - a nice car. That’s a healthy savings account every year. That’s starting to save towards a down payment. Or security deposit in an expensive city. And that’s every month for 10 years…you’ll be in your early 30s when you finally stop paying it off, assuming nothing interrupts you.
If you mentioned what the club was - or even alluded to it - people might be able to point you to an equivalent resource or a way to get into it from UA.
@ScreenNameoriginal I did consider that but the club, Theme Park Engineering Group, would take a few years to really get well established and there might not be enough interest at UA and/or the university might not support it. The club at OSU has been around for a bit and hfs the advantage of being near many awesome amusement parks (cedar point). They’ve even had many people get internships in the industry!
@juillet I appreciate your analysis. The numbers I’m getting are bc the amount I can afford every year is a bit more that the cost of UA. Thus, my debt would be less than the difference of costs between the 2 schools. I definitely inderstand what you’re saying, even with my debt as less than your example. We’ll see what I decide!
Did you look at / apply to UCF? You have all theme parks right there and they have a solid placement record with Disney and the Imagineer program.
Sometimes a big merit offer from a school, like Bama, is flattering. Can be exciting. Outcomes are important as you are investing 4 years of your time. Launching into specific programs / industries can be enhanced at schools with strong relationships into those employers / programs.
Do your homework and you will make the right decision.
IF the OSU theme parks club really does help get students internships/jobs in the industry, I think it could definitely be worth some premium for attending OSU. Wish I had a buck for every student I’ve heard say they wanted to work on theme park rides - would have paid for a good chunk of my son’s education lol! It’s a very difficult field to enter, and if that’s what you really want I would think this could be a big help in getting there - or finding out it’s not something you want to do after all.
Here is the club at UCF, would seem it helps there. So if OSU has connections too… https://ucf.collegiatelink.net/organization/TEAatUCF/calendar/details/934197
Ah, Cedar Point! Met my husband there when when we were working there summers during college. We just drove through Columbus last summer and thought the city and campus were very nice. This is a tough one because of the money aspect. Good luck with your decision!
You should also run a calculator on the opportunity cost of foregoing a $300-500 monthly contribution (even higher pre-tax) to a 401k or an IRA for 10 years. I don’t have a calculator in front of me (if someone would be so kind as to run the numbers) but I’m certain that the end result will be astonishing.
$22,000 a year seems pretty reasonable to attend a preferred OOS public school, at or even less cost that what many instate publics cost these days. And your parents are willing to help (#33), so that is positive. If you work some during school and get good internships during the summer that can help.
@ClarinetDad16 I’m looking at their scholarships but it doesnt say the deadlines, requirements, or award amounts …