Ok guys, I need help. I am mostly still on the fence because of cost. At Georgetown, I would do what I’m more passionate about – either science, technology and international affairs or health policy and management – which I don’t think UMD has, but the cost is much higher. And I would probably do grad school, although not right out of college. At UMD I would probably do CS, which I am not really passionate about but would land me a stable, probably higher-paying job.
Georgetown is 67k a year, and UMD is 19k a year. While my parents say they could make Georgetown work, I don’t know if the significant cost is worth it. For the most part, I really like Georgetown and would love to go there. But in practicality, UMD is probably the better choice, and I think I could be happy there as well. So I have to choose between going to Georgetown to try to make an impact on healthcare, which I want to do, or go to UMD and come out with a stable job for a much smaller cost, albeit not one I believe aligns with my passions. So, I’m very conflicted.
Any advice would be appreciated!
You are talking about a difference of ~$200,000. How much of that can your parents cover? How much debt would you have to take out?
I checked the Majors page at the U of Maryland.
They have a Public Health Science major and International Business, though I did not see International Relations.
However, you could create your own major through their Individual Studies Program.
Right now the only reason I see for going to Georgetown is the huge advantage they have in International Relations through the SFS. But depending on how much debt you’d have after four years, that might not even be worth it. If you’d have to take out $20k per year to go to Georgetown, forget it.
Also keep in mind that many, many students change their minds when it comes to major. If you changed your mind, you’d be just as well off at Maryland as you would be at Georgetown.
I think the choices you have set up-Georgetown to make an impact on healthcare or UMD with a stable job (presumably in Computer Science)- are a false dichotomy. No reason to assume before matriculating and exploring your options, that you cannot achieve your dreams at MD. From a purely financial standpoint the value is there. Academically, I expect you will be pleasantly surprised at MD too.
If you would have to take out loans or it would be a significant burden on your parents, then I would choose UMD for sure. However, if your parents can at least comfortably cushion the cost and you believe you would have a much happier, more fulfilling experience at Georgetown, then I would say to go for Georgetown.
I wouldn’t have to take out loans for Georgetown. However, I agree with the false dichotomy. I wouldn’t have to do CS at UMD. But Georgetown does have a huge advantage with the SFS. UMD is a lot more flexible given that I have lots of AP credit, so I could double major.
Thanks for your thoughts! Any more is appreciated!