<p>I need advice in making one of the most difficult choices of my life !!!!
I got accepted to both University of Michigan and Barnard College (Women's college with Columbia Univ affiliation). UMich offered me a full ride for the first year, no loans... However if I attend Barnard I'm looking at around $4,000-$5,000 per year in loans and I would have to work. Barnard is absolutely my DREAM SCHOOL, but I really do like UMich... I can't decide between the two !!! I feel like Barnard would provide me with more opportunities, but is it worth the student loan debt ? I come from a very low-income family so paying back the loans will fall solely upon me and I am considering grad school. OPINIONS? HELP?</p>
<p>Sincerely,
A confused student :(</p>
<p>It might depend on your major and what type of “grad school” you are considering. Your major may matter in your job prospects which can affect how easily you can pay off the debt (although the amount you list is generally considered manageable, as it is under the Stafford limit).</p>
<p>A PhD program worth attending should be funded (tuition waiver + living expense stipend), but professional schools (medical and law) will be expensive.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus I plan on majoring in biology with hopes of going to veterinary school, but I also want to explore business</p>
<p>Will UMich cost you more after 1st year? You need to consider cost of all 4 years. Also, is either of the schools in state? If not you need to add travel costs to what you need…for instance, if Barnard is a long way off you will need more than just what cost to pay for school.</p>
<p>@scmom12 UMich is in-state & if my financial situation doesn’t change drastically within the next three years then I would assume that they would offer me the same amount of money; However, I am not sure… Travel expenses are an issue, but I will probably not be coming home very often…</p>
<p>Take into account the fact that biology tends to lead to low paid job prospects, and veterinary school is expensive (and the pay afterward is probably not that great either).</p>