<p>So, I am going to an affordable state school ranked in the top 60 in the USR and I don't have to take out any loans in order to attend this school, hooray!</p>
<p>But still, my dream has been to attend a school like NYU or USC and live in a city while in college. Problem is, these schools cost near $60K and I will surely be paying off student loans for a VERY LONG TIME.</p>
<p>So should I just spend my fours years at the affordable, yet respected school, or try to transfer out to the city schools but be forced to take out student loans. PS, I need a lot of loans to afford a $60K school.</p>
<p>Wait, are you a rising HS senior or college freshman? Anyways if the former, consider Columbia or if you’re willing to take a modest debt hit, UChicago. Well, if you want to live in a city, I think in the end it’ll happen. I really don’t think it has to be these four years. Consider the benefits of saving money for your dream future.</p>
<p>I would say don’t go to a university just for the location, go for the education. If the education at the city schools is going to be better, go for it even if you would transfer after two years at your ate school. You may also be able to land a good job or internship while in college to help with the payment as well as get some scholarship aid if possible.</p>
<p>Stay put. Look for summer jobs/internships in the big cities and/or arrange a semester exchange with a university there and/or move there after college for work or grad school.</p>
<p>Graduating from a good university with no debt at all is a priceless gift to yourself and your family. You will not regret it.</p>
<p>Agree with happymomof1. There are plenty of ways to get to the big city during and after college without incurring any debt at all. You will realize what a gift you have given yourself when you graduate and aren’t under pressure to pay back loans.</p>
<p>Agree with above. Avoid debt, stick with the state college. It will likely not be until after college that you will realize how extremely wise that decision is.</p>
<p>I agree with the advice given above. I also agree that you should look into doing semester/year of study or a summer internship either abroad or at a university in a major city to get a bit of that “dream” experience. In the long run, I believe that you will be happy to be free of debt and earn a great college education.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice. But is it easy to take summer classes at a school like NYU or Columbia to get credit towards my current schol (UConn)?</p>
<p>Most schools have extensive study abroad options these days - it’s a huge industry and you’ll find the same programs are on offer at most reputable schools. Visit your college placement office for info on internships (domestic and international), and your office for international studies to check out all the great programs available. If a specific program you want isn’t available at your school and they don’t offer anything comparable, but it’s reputable and accepted at other good schools, many schools have a process for you to request approval for that program.</p>
<p>Do whatever you want. Attending NYU would be like buying an expensive sports car . . . if that’s what you want to do, we’re not gonna stop you. Just be aware that you’ll spend the rest of your life paying it off.</p>
<p>The alternative is to save your pennies, and buy that expensive sports car (or get that New York City apartment) a decade or two down the road when you can actually afford it. That’s what we’re advising. But the choice is yours.</p>
<p>I tend to agree that you should stay at the school that you can afford. But look into if you could spend a semester abroad or away in a US city. For example, there are programs where you can spend a semester in Washington DC. Or look for summer internships in a city.</p>