<p>m currently a high school senior still applying to undergrad. I am applying to out of sate and in state public schools in addition to some private schools. However I REALLY do not want to stay in Texas. I need to travel around and explore the country, and I would like to do that with college and med school.</p>
<p>Tuition for out of state and public schools is expensive though, so is it worth it to stay in a place I am sick of and have very few friends in or spend the extra money to attend a better ranked school in a place I know I love (philly, d.c., atlanta). Any advice is appreciated!</p>
<p>There was a college grad on one of the morning shows today. She borrowed 35 grand for tuition and books only. She graduated in 2005 and got a job. In 2007 she was laid off and defaulted. </p>
<p>She showed her loan balance on air and with interest and penalties she owed 130 grand. The interest alone was more than the original loan. She had a private loan administered by Fannie or Freddy. She was devastated and near tears.</p>
<p>Debt service can crush you like an addiction. Try to avoid it at all costs. In this economy it may be years before you get a job that pays enough to carry the loans. By that time the interest is compounding for years. Since you are posting in the medical forum try to apply to BA/MD schools since half give serious merit aid or go UG in state in another part of the state so there is a change of scenery.</p>