Get paid or move higher?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hello, I am currently an undergraduate student. I am having great conflict between deciding whether I really want to transfer to a more intense academic environment or stay put where I am. The current college I am at basically pays me to attend it. It is a fairly decent school with okay academics. My professors are pretty good. My classmates, not so much. Now, should I leave the revenue I get at this school to attend a better school?</p>

<p>By better, I am referring to schools like Brown, Cornell, or Georgetown. I am a political junkie, and a bit of a free spirit so these three schools appeal to different parts of me. Furthermore, at my current school I could attend a semester abroad at Oxford, and maybe continue being the big fish in the pond, but I don't want to end up regretting not ever applying to the three aforementioned schools. Thanks to all the parents and others who read this post.</p>

2

<p>How about this scenario:</p>

<p>-- continue at your current school. </p>

<p>-- “get paid” and graduate debt-free</p>

<p>-- accomplish impressive things as The Big Fish</p>

<p>-- go to Oxford</p>

<p>-- Attend Brown, Cornell or Georgetown for grad school, possibly with grants/funding due to your outstanding undergraduate experience.</p>

3

<p>Agreed… Take all of the opportunities at your current school. Go abroad, graduate debt free. Go to the schools on your dream list for grad school.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the posts. Wanting to transfer has been an on and off thing for a long time. I guess I could pursue those schools for higher degrees!</p>

5

<p>Who’s to say you’d even get into these schools? You can always apply and THEN decide. Hey, they may even give you some FA money. You don’t want to regret not trying this, right?</p>

6

<p>“Agreed… Take all of the opportunities at your current school. Go abroad, graduate debt free. Go to the schools on your dream list for grad school.”</p>

<p>I second the motion. DS was “paid” to attend his UG university-took advantage of every opportunity there, and is now at his “dream” school for his PhD-CalTech. Remember, the LAST name on your CV is the one that people will remember. So save the money and go for the dream grad school with the best GPA, LOR"s, and GRE’s you can achieve where you are. You are much luckier than you think you are. Dont throw your opportunity to graduate debt free away. Make the most of it.</p>

7

<p>There aren’t many people in the world who have more opportunity than a 22 year old with a bachelor’s degree with a high gpa and no debt.</p>

8

<p>Does your school offer the Washington Semester in DC as an option, in addition to taking a study abroad experience at Oxford? Then you could feed your inner political junkie as well. </p>

<p>One of my sons did his undergrad at a very good but not tippy-top school and is not getting an MPP at a school in DC…something for you to think about.</p>

9

<p>I agree that you should apply and then decide. You don’t know what your options would be, or what they would cost.</p>