In-state or out-of state? Please help me decide.

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi, I need to decide between the Univ. of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and in-state (VA), James Madison Univ. and May 1st is almost here. :X</p>

<p>I'm strongly interested in studying a major in communications, particularly advertising or media arts and design (I would do advertising if I went to UIUC and media arts and design if I went to JMU). Both schools do have colleges of communications, but I've heard that UIUC has like the #1 undergrad. advertising program in the nation. I need to know if UIUC is worth the ~36K compared to JMU's ~13K (+I might get a full-ride scholarship) or if I should just stick with JMU. My FAFSA's EFC was high, which is why I got practically no need aid from either school, so going to UIUC would most likely mean graduating with 100K or + in loans. (Either school, I will apply for scholarships throughout college.)</p>

<p>I liked both schools when I visited. It seems like I would have more fun at JMU (rep. as a party school) and have an easier time in terms of school work, but UIUC would give me a better benefits post-graduation (or so I think/have heard). I hear UIUC is super hard in terms of school work, and know it is in the middle of nowhere..I mean at least JMU is close to NOVA, where my home is. FYI, JMU is 2 hrs. driving away from my home and D.C. city, while UIUC is 2 hrs. flying. Also as an Asian-American, minorities, esp. Asians play a role in my decision...</p>

<p>It's hard to compare these schools because they are so different...so, here is a quick rundown of facts/comparison just FYI:
*UIUC vs. JMU, accordingly</p>

<p>Population: 40,000 vs. 16,000
Cost I would pay: 36K vs. 13K
U.S. News Rankings: #42 out of Nat. Universities vs. #2 in Masters-South
Asian % of pop.: 11~13% of 40,000= ~5000 vs. 5% of 16,000= ~800.
also: more diversity in general, 26% vs. less diversity, 9%
Facilities: 3 main gyms vs. 1 main gym
3rd largest library system in the nation vs. one main library
Academics: very rigorous (someone vouch for this?) vs. managable
Major: I will need to be accepted to UIUC's advertising program end of soph year, w/ a minimum of a 3.0 (very competitve) vs. easier entrance into JMU's SMAD program
Reputation: UIUC is more known in the nat. and intern. market (I assume) vs. JMU known in VA, but I'm unsure beyond here.</p>

<p>*Just to give you an idea of my academic abilities (w/c?) I'll be graduating taken 6 APs and like 9~10 honor courses/SAT: 1310ish/ACT: 28</p>

<p>Sorry for the chaos, I am psychologically and physically drained from work, finals, and having to decide which college on such a tight deadline! Thank you!</p>

2

<p>It sounds like you are highly qualified to do the work at both places. I can't tell how important it is for you to be close to home. You don't say if UIUC will put you or your parents at a hardship. If not, I'd go for it. If so, go to JMU.</p>

3

<p>SuNa, I'm sorry, I meant to imply that UIUC would be a burden, aka big loans. I talked with my parents and they said they would split the loan 50/50 so by the end of my 4 yours, I would be around 50K in debt and my parents would be 50K in debt. This is assuming my parents can pay around 10K a year of the 36K tuition. For JMU, it doesn't look like loans will be necessary and if so, very minimal.</p>

4

<p>JMU. Obviously. </p>

<p>The question is simply, is UIUC worth $100K more than JMU. You haven't listed $100K in good reasons to choose UIUC. In fact, you see to list more factors favoring JMU (more fun, closer to home, etc.)</p>

5

<p>James Madison. You have written absolutely no reasons why you would want to burden both you and your parents with debt. I'm hoping that Northeastmom will post here about why her son is looking forward to attending JMU.</p>

6

<p>Go with JMU. In your post you value diversity, and geographic diversity is lacking at UIUC, at about 10% OOS. Then there is the financial piece...</p>

7

<p>I agree. In addition, Virginia is a much prettier location than southern Illinois.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the responses everyone,</p>

<p>There are two main things bothering me about attending JMU over UIUC and they are: better program and more Asian population/diversity.
UIUC has the #1 advertising program in the nation, which I assume is a positive thing, while I am unsure of the rankings and more importantly quality of JMU's smaller SMAD program. I've done some research on the Ad program at UIUC and it is very competitive getting in to the program (you apply end of soph. year), but I figure with the connections and quality UIUC's program would give me, I could be better off after graduating (with the exception of the burden of loans). The question is will advertising take me far? I mean assuming I graduate well and have experience. I'm pretty set on a communications field. I feel somewhat confident with gaining experience and feel I have the talent (FYI, I have done internships with a local community center, "The Asia Times", and most recently "USA Today")--not to sound arrogant..!</p>

<p>As for the Asian population/diversity factor, dudedad, you point out that UIUC is only 10% OOS, but it also has more minorities in general (26% vs. 8%) and you can imagine the ratio difference of 26% of 40000 vs. 8% 16000. This is bothering me a bit more because when I visited JMU (overnighted) I was at the local Wal-Mart with my Asian JMU friends, and experienced some mild, but oh-so-obvious racism. I was told that this happens every once in a while, considering it is a sourthern school.</p>

<p>Sorry, I'm not defending/leaning toward UIUC, it's just the matter of clearly showing what is bothering me about attending JMU, which is also a great option for me.</p>

9

<p>You have already established an impressive track record and connections on your own. This suggests that perhaps you personally may not have a great need for whatever special push comes from being at UIUC.</p>

10

<p>Is it important to your development as a person to be further away from home? That's one question to consider. The program is another, but look at outcomes - do the advertising grads at the U of I immediately get recruited? If so, may be a reason to choose it despite the additional money required. If not, the argument based on program superiority is looking thin.</p>

<p>I lived at the U of I for my first year of graduate work. Tons of students, good-to-impressive professors, lots of activities, a very fine college town. BUT - Chicago is several hours away, and it is in the middle of the cornfields. Also, it is huge, and you can get lost unless you are willing to forge your own distinctive path.</p>

<p>I won't bother to mention my crowning Illinois experience, having a house taken off over my head by a tornado (why I would never live in the midwest again).</p>

11

<p>yulsie,
I'm don't have any stats on whether or not UIUC ad grads get immediately recruited, but I know, in general, over 50% or so seniors have a job secured before they graduate (by 2nd semester or so). Haha, sorry about your tornado incident--how unfortunate. :/</p>

<p>*I forgot one more thing that bothers me and that is prestige/reputation. My parents aren't that pushy, but I know when I visit my relatives in Korea (haven't seen them in 6 years) and all my parent's friends wil be expecting me to attend some fancy shamancy school. Even though my parents probably won't tell me, I feel bad everytime I have to hear them telling their friends I will be attending so-and-so school and their friends are like..."where? oh..." :X UIUC is still known among some people in Korea, but JMU? I don't think so. This factor is so superficial, but as an Asian/Korean, it's something that will label me forever, throughout my life. If I were to attend grad school, JMU seems to be the logical choice, but I think the chances of me attending grad school are slim, as communications majors rely more on talent and experience than degrees.</p>

<p>Argh. The more I think about this, the more difficult the decision is becoming.</p>

12

<p>Well, you COULD split the difference - how about considering going to JMU, getting top grades, and transferring to the U of I after two years? If you think it would be acceptable to you socially, interrupting your friendships, might be useful financially, and you would experience both places but get your degree from the higher prestige program. The U of I definitely takes transfer students.</p>

13

<p>"all my parent's friends wil be expecting me to attend some fancy shamancy school."</p>

<p>Well, they're not going to school - you are. Of course, if you are willing to take up a collection among them to make up the difference, say 100 friends at $1,000 each?</p>

<p>U. Illinois is hardly fancy-shmancy. More like "farmers' son goes to college". Fine school - but if your parents' friends are that important, when you graduate, throw a $50k party for all of them, and you'll still be ahead.</p>

<p>All kidding aside, I would seriously like to know who told you that you had a choice? Whoever it was was being cruel. With your EFC you can't get $100k in loans. And with your EFC, your parents certainly can't. (I would tell you that $100k at 8.5% interest (not likely) over ten years is $1,239 a month, every month for 10 years, but it is really a non-issue, unless your parents' friends are going to pay it off.) Seriously, you don't have a dilemma, and you don't have problem, you don't have to consider prestige or the value of the program, or anything else, because, in fact, you don't have a choice. It's not a matter of worth - I'm sure a Bentley is worth more than my 1988 Maxima sitting outside, and I know how to drive so I could drive either, but it doesn't make any difference to me. So ignore all those comments on which is better and which is worse because they are entirely irrelevant. Send your JMU deposit in (and hope that they sweeten the kitty.)</p>

14

<p>Sorry, I misread your statement about EFC (and couldn't delete it). But what I said about the $100k still stands.</p>

<p>If you had a choice of UIUC or James Madison plus $100k to set up your own ad agency, which would you choose?</p>

15

<p>Okay, it's Saturday night. yikes. </p>

<p>I sent in my UIUC housing form (along w/ the $100 deposit that is refundable before May 1) a couple of weeks ago, but have yet to decide if I will be sending in my JMU form w/ the $250 deposit.</p>

<p>PLEASE share any last minute ideas/opinions/suggestions/anything. If anyone knows anyone in either program (UIUC advertising/JMU SMAD) I would really appreciate any info. Thanks!</p>

16

<p>Mini has already said it all. You would regret UIUC to the tune of $1239 a month for ten years. Don't go to UIUC.</p>

17

<p>I would not go into that kind of debt, and I would go to JMU. My son, BTW, will attend JMU this fall. The only concern that I have for you is the racism and social concerns that you speak about. I would think that you have discussed your concerns with the other Asian friends that you already have, that attend JMU. If they are enjoying their college experience there, then you can enjoy your college experience too.</p>

18

<p>Thanks for everyone's responses..!</p>

<p>I'm officially a duke as of 41 minutes and counting...:)</p>

19

<p>Congratulations! :) And good luck to you!</p>

20

<p>^ Thank you.
It's amazing the amount of relief I feel right now. :)</p>

<p>Now if only something could be done about this ridiculous amount of calc...</p>