How much does the "real" college experience cost?

<p>I am in second semester at a NJ CC and the fact that i'm "missing" the college experience has been killing me all along my time at CC. I feel like it is something that is going to help me mature as an individual, and give me the chance to explore my career options. So, yeah it's basically something I WANT TO DO. Them, I am considering to transfer to Rutgers during fall, but it'll cost 15k more a year than CC. Then, do you think that the dorm college experience is worth all that money? (by the way, I don't have any money, so whatever i'm doing is through sucking up debts.)</p>

<p>No it is not worth that kind of money. You are going to transfer in another year anyway. Stay put for now so that you won’t graduate with quite so much debt.</p>

<p>By some estimates, more students your age are at community colleges than are at four year schools. That means that YOU are having the real college experience right now.</p>

<p>I agree with HM1. You will have plenty of time to participate in the college experience when you transfer, and you will be that much more mature, so you may not squander it like too many Freshmen.</p>

<p>You are pining for a theoretical experience. You have no idea if your dorm experience would be a positive one or not. Your roommate may be a great person, but on the other hand, that person may end up being a nightmare. Poke around on CC and you’ll read many roommate nightmare stories. Also, the experience of having to eat at a cafeteria can be rather overrated (although the Rutgers cafeterias are among the better ones out there). </p>

<p>Instead, make the most of your time at the CC now. Join clubs and get involved. That will make your time at college (any college) much more enjoyable. In other words, bloom where you are planted. </p>

<p>Debt is lousy. Avoid it as much as possible. You’ll understand the validity of this when you are out in the working world and pay off your college loans. The size of your debt will restrict your options.</p>