I’m a 29 year old non-trad in my last semester at CC in the Denver Metro Area. I moved here a year and a half ago on a bit of a whim, and it turned out to be a great decision. I’ve made a large group of really great friends (outside of school) and I’m pretty attached to them and the life that I’ve built here.
My major is International Relations and I have a 3.93 GPA. Complicating matters, I won’t hear from several other schools for another month (at least) - but I have chosen to cross that bridge when I come to it.
Here’s the deal: I need to choose between University of Denver and University of Texas at Austin for a deposit next week.
Obviously, they are very different schools. I am committed to doing what’s best for me and my future, and money isn’t really an issue. I am very outgoing and won’t have trouble making new friends in a new place - it’s just a matter of not really wanting to.
Texas is consistently “ranked” higher, but I’m not convinced that makes it “better”, so to speak. Austin is a great town, and in fact I almost moved there instead of Denver initially. I am also very flattered by the large scholarship offered to me by Denver, which happens to be the largest merit scholarship they offer to transfer students.
I’m feeling really overwhelmed and unsure about what I want/what will serve me best in the long run. What do you guys think?
Which is the least expensive for you? I agree with you about rankings. Also where do you plan on seeking work after you graduate?
DU would be least expensive, considering the scholarship and the fact that I wouldn’t have to relocate. However, my circumstances provide me the luxury of not having to worry about the cost. More concerning to me is the quality of the education and the impact on my future.
At this stage, I’m keeping my options open. I haven’t decided yet whether I would like to be in the public or private sector. Anything from State Department to World Health Organization or an NGO.
Your high academic performance may enable you to go beyond a BA degree. Do you plan to go on for an MA?
Possibly, but I haven’t decided yet.
If I were you, I would choose UT-Austin. Even though you are not convinced by ranking, it would be an important factor if other things were being equal. And higher ranking gives higher reputation, which will make whatever in your future plan easier.
Well, it turns out that I don’t even need to wonder about this anymore, because I got into University of Virginia! It will be hard to leave Denver, but I know I need to seize this new opportunity. Thanks for your input guys!
Congratulations! As I continued to read the thread I worried that I was too late and you would have accepted the admission to UT. I live in Austin and let me tell you its not all its cracked up to be, as well as the over inflated degree quality of UT. I wish you the best of luck in Virginia!