Hi y’all! Soo I’m currently making the decision to choose between Fordham or Fairfield. I am in love with Fordham but Fairfield gave me a much generous scholarship. I am currently awaiting my appeal decision from Fordham, but I’ve heard they are not always very generous. Both of my parents live on a fixed income, so we don’t have much money lying around. My mom is encouraging me to take on Fordham which is what I want to do. However, I would be in a considerable debt and have to work during my semesters, while at Fairfield I would have no debt or have to work (still would).
I’ve decided that I want to go to Fordham since the careers I am considering would offer me a starting salary close to my debt. I’d probably just have to live at home–but that is something I do not mind and my parents don’t mind. The thing I’m nervous about with this logic is what if I end up deciding to go into a field like teaching in which I wouldn’t be able to soundly pay back the debt.
I visited Fairfield and did not like it --at all (for me)-- but the scholarship is tempting to take. But I feel like at Fordham I’ll have better opportunities and a possible free graduate degree that I won’t have at Fairfield.
I guess all I’m asking for is some justification for my decision. I keep wrestling back and forth with the idea to take the cheaper alternative in which I won’t have any debt but I know I should take the better opportunity.
thanks so much for any advice you guys might be able to offer…sorry if this seems hurried i decided to write here as a whim.
What is your career goal?
How much debt each year (include fed loans and any private loans)?
How do you know if you’ll get a job near your parents’ home? What if your job offers come from companies that aren’t near your parents’ home??? What if you have a significant other at that point, and you want to live near him/her?
I want to either become a lawyer or become a psychologist.
I would be in about 15k debt each year (not taking possible appeal results into account)
I live about 40 minutes outside new york, so I hope I would be able to get a job offer there and commute but I understand your point…
Any advice would be helpful. I made the decision about the week ago to choose fordham even with debt but on this sunday night a week away from the deadline and one in which i don’t have homework, i’m second guessing that decision. Can anyone offer maybe why I should choose fairfield over fordham? should i go visit again?
my mom thinks I should stop second guessing myself but suggests if i’m really unsure to go to Fairfield again to confirm why I don’t want to go there.
my mom also tries to make me feel better about the debt. my dentist who i chatted about it with even suggested to take out as much loans as i can (he thinks it will be the next bailout)
bump…
I have a biased viewpont as my S went to Fordham and loved it. We visited Fairfield as well but my S felt that the overall vibe at the two schools was very different with Fordham being more urban and Fairfield being very preppy. I do know many people who went to Fairfield and were happy there. That said, they are both excellent schools where you can get a great education. I also think that $60k in debt for Fordham is a lot especially if you want grad school down the line. I don’t know why you think you would get a free graduate degree if you go to Fordham instead of Fairfield. Ultimately you have to weigh the pros and cons of both schools and make your own decision.