<p>Alright, well, where do I begin...</p>
<p>Basically, as it stands right now, I'm signed up to attend both the Joint Program between Columbia University (GS) and the Jewish Theological Seminary (List College) AND the University of Texas at Dallas in the fall.</p>
<p>List College is my dream school, but it's insanely expensive and I worry about the job prospects of two liberal arts degrees (especially after reading about the realities of Columbia GS vs. Columbia College, proper). My parents are willing to pay for it (so I'll escape debt free), but anything else I want to do as regards my education is on my own.</p>
<p>UTD is the practical choice. Thanks to a full ride and then some, I'll graduate with 70,000+ dollars in my bank account afterwards, which will help with anything I want to do afterwards.
At UTD, I'm signed up as an Accounting major.</p>
<p>What should I do?</p>
<p>Where do you think you would be happiest? If your parents are willing and able to pay, then you are lucky enough to get to ask that question. So ask it of yourself. And be honest about the answer. </p>
<p>Re: grad school – if you envision going on to a graduate degree in something other than law for example, if you do well in school you could qualify for a good amount of grad school student aid. Most people do not go to grad school at sticker price, which is not the case in undergrad. Beyond regular financial aid (by the time you apply to grad school, you’ll probably be old enough to be considered an independent for financial aid purposes, and you also probably won’t be making much money, so you’ll have a lower personal contribution), there’s research fellowships, TA work, grants, etc. If you want to make it work, you usually can. </p>
<p>And as for the job prospects with two liberal arts degrees, well, again, that’s really up to you. If you were to become an accountant, a job probably would fall into your lap crunching numbers at a big accounting firm. If you get a liberal arts degree, you’re going to have to carve your own path in terms of your career. You’re going to have to figure out what you envision and try to shape your coursework around that, and try to get some on the job experience to support it before you graduate. It’s harder to do, but depending on what you want, it might be more rewarding. Certainly, many liberal arts graduates do get jobs. It’s not quite as dismal a picture as it sounds when you’re reading about it in the paper. BUT you do have to put some effort into it. That’s undeniable now more than ever. </p>
<p>UTD is less of a risk, as long as you think you would be happy being an accountant and going to college in Dallas. List and Columbia are more of a risk, but they might yield a happier, more rich experience, as long as you would be happy living in New York and having to rely on yourself to carve your post-grad life, without the comfy cushion of 70k. That’s nothing to sneer at. But honestly, it’s up to you and what you want. None of us can probably tell you what to do.</p>
<p>Congratulations on having an early opportunity in life to define who you are. Having to choose between extremed tends to do that. i agree with Smithie … none of us can tell you what the “right” decision is for YOU. Make a decision, and do everything you can to make that decision a success. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Go for the cheapest option. If you have applied, you have determined already that you will be happy at any place, correct? D. went to state school on full tuition Merit schlarship and we will pay her Med. School now. She will be way ahead of others. </p>
<p>I would not go into ANY debt with accounting major. More so, you can continue your education on your future employer’s dime. I got both BS and MBA paid by various employers (so did my H for his MBA) after getting proffessional job with Associate degree from Community College. I loved all my jobs and still do. I would recommend this path to anybody, and more so to any Business majors.</p>
<p>OP, Your “name” says so much. I too am confused. When you applied to JTS/Columibia, was your goal to be a Rabbi? To work in a Hillel? To join a non-profit? To be an administrator of a school?</p>
<p>Where does accounting fit with JTS?</p>
<p>As an aside JTS has some scholarship money for people with financial need.</p>
<p>Quick, what does a student do after third grade? Easy! Go to fourth grade. The “next” steps have been clear for you for your entire life – until now. </p>
<p>The Texas route will be better for you if you want to remain in Texas (funny, that. Texans are normally NOT impressed with big East coast names, so a degree from NY and four years of not being in the Lone Star state will put you behind in the TX job hunt). </p>
<p>Of course, if you want to pursue a NY future OR you want a Jewish theological future, then List is the clear choice. </p>
<p>Money is always money but it does sound like you don’t have to borrow (thanks Folks!) so, for you, it is less a concern (unless the folks are borrowing, then the money goes back in the mix of decision making). </p>
<p>You are down to: what do you want to be when you “grow up” ?(that’s not snide either – many people in their forties are asking themselves that). </p>
<p>Take a walk and puzzle over whether you would be excited to be in happy Dallas (probably with friends or at least with friends and family nearby) or in expensive but dynamic NYC and include extending the vision to the years after college. </p>
<p>Honestly, if the theology is more an interest/hobby, you can pick up quite a lot with trips and special semesters with all that money you’d be saving. Consider the degree at UTD and adding on some very special summers with the money available. </p>
<p>And is part of the agony the “accounting” path? That is not for everyone. You might consider doing one or two courses of accounting and keep options open (perhaps a business/nonprofit management degree so you could be the office manager or director of a Temple or other group?). Lots of options here . . .</p>