Is happiness worth $80,000 in debt?

Applying to College
221

<p>First, OP, I agree with your RD and not ED decision from page 10.</p>

<p>It occurs to me this discussion has allowed itself to be framed around a poorly framed (logically) question that begs for impulse replies.</p>

<p>There are really two implied questions:</p>

<p>1) Is a “dream school” rare and difficult find?
2) Assuming the answer to Q1 is yes, is it worth $80,000 in debt?</p>

<p>The problem with question #2 is that it presupposes the answer to question #1 is YES. And the answer to question #1 is decidedly NO!!</p>

<p>You can find your dream at most any school, especially out of the 4000 or so choices of accredited colleges in the US, of which about 500 are easily affordable and supported by tax dollars. 46 of the USNWR Top 100 schools are COA of under $27,000 per year. Some are major research institutions, and some are quite small and LAC-like, such as SUNY Bingamton or SUNY Geneseo, and everything in between. Four are under $27,000 even for Maryland Residents: U of Maryland, U of Minnesota, and both SUNY’s.</p>

<p>This BB is full of posters who </p>

<ul>
<li>went to community college, then state school, and had an epic journey fulfilling their dreams along the way.</li>
<li>went straight to state school, and had an epic journey fulfilling their dreams along the way.</li>
<li>went to a Top 20 private, ran out of money, transferred to a State school, and had an epic journey fulfilling their dreams along the way.</li>
<li>were admitted to a Top 20, instead chose to attend a Public Flagship for financial or other personal reasons, and had an epic journey fulfilling their dreams along the way.</li>
<li>attended Harvard and are miserable</li>
<li>sacrificed financially to attend their “dream school” only to find out that the “dream” was just like any teenage crush, based on inaccurate, incomplete impressions and fanciful thinking.</li>
</ul>

<p>You make your dream between your ears. It is your attitude that frames your reality and creates dreams, wherever you find yourself.</p>

222

<p>^^ I’m just not buying the everything is the same argument. That jc, state, private are more similar than different…it’s like saying ford escorts and bmw 328’s are the same. Or how about newport and Compton homes, I mean a house is a house, right. There are big quality differences in life, and in colleges, people that argue in no quality difference in life, have accepted mediocrity as good enough for them, and therefore want everyone else to agree.</p>

223

<p>^^^</p>

<p>Seriously, the OP has already said he/she will apply RD instead of ED, stop trying to make people think going to “dream” schools will somehow translate into successful life…</p>

<p>Oh, and one more thing OP, whatever you do, do NOT move to LA, seriously. We have WAY too many people here as is, and moving here just so one can fulfill their acting dreams is stupid, because there’s a 90% chance you’ll just end up working as a waiter or a bagger at a grocer store, nothing like what pacheight is saying at all…</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>Definitely not the same. Although BMWs can only take you across the same roads from point A to point B, you sure do have a lot less money in your pockets once you get there – especially if you are paying for it with money you haven’t even begun to earn yet. But hey, if style points are more of what you’re after, sure, go ahead and take the risk – spending it all today and just hoping for the best somewhere down the road – yeah, sounds like a great strategy. Good luck with that. </p>

<p>Taking calculated risks is great. I encourage it. But you better understand the real differences between risk, chance, and just plain old gambling.</p>

225

<p>^^ agree completely, life is now, the experience you’re having now. not some accounting you have at the end. I’d much rather cross the road of life in a beamer, you take the escort, my way, (metaphor), is way more of a beamer ride. </p>

<p>Life is the ride, it is not getting to the destination at the end as you refer to, the destination at the end is called death…but hey you’ll have more money in your pocket.</p>

<p>life and money is not something to be fearful of, it’s not a scary thing.</p>

226

<p>crown: the op is not an actor, but if she was, acting is not a dream, it’s a normal profession in a normal industry, it’s no harder than most industries to be successful in. But I understand you wouldn’t know that down in the land of parents who are real estate developers, yacht clubs (my fav is NHYC…I like the glossy finish on the wood bench between the bar and the water), and conservative churches. The last actor to live in Newport was probably John Wayne.</p>

<p>I’m disappointed in Sage or NHH, they should teach you to be more worldly about other professions. Laguna high still produces artists I hope.</p>

227

<p>Ha! I went to none of those high schools…o well</p>

228

<p>

</p>

<p>I wasn’t speaking metaphorically about life; I was speaking practically. Same thing with college. To me it’s not an ultimate destination, just a part of moving forward - a means not an end. Same with money. Unless I can afford it right along with my primary objectives, I’ll pass on the BMW to have a shot at something I feel to be of greater value. It’s not about mediocrity versus “living,” it’s about choices that enhance my life versus those that needlessly add to its burdens. It’s not about risk versus safety. It’s about influencing conditions as much as possible to improve the odds that the risks I take pay off. Managing debt, skillfully assessing prospects for success, and understanding “if this, then that” equations are not the antithesis of a life well lived, but rather the tools of the trade. As Dr. Seuss once said, “It’s nice to have fun, but you have to know how.” </p>

<p>Life is not only about the risk one takes, but also the skill one employs behind them.</p>

229

<p>Skydancer, </p>

<p>Fiske Guide even says that Truman State in Missouri is modeled after William and Mary and Miami Ohio. They also say that English is one of the more popular majors. </p>

<p>I urge you to at least check it out. As I said in a previous post, go there 2 years. If you are not being fulfilled, you can transfer to W&M and still easily afford it. You have a $120K budget. Truman costs $20K per year. After two years, you still have $80K left. W&M is $45K per year. If you transferred, you would only need to borrow $10K, which even a newly minted English major can afford to pay. Or, you might find that that you like Truman and want to stay leaving you $40K to put toward a graduate program of some kind. Again, dream bigger than the particular school.</p>

230

<p>Would it be possible to attend a less expensive in state school, community college for 1 or 2 years than transfer to your dream school. You would acquire less debt and still have that degree from your dream school.</p>

231

<p>I heard recently that money is not the most precious commodity, but time.
Remember, there are no do-overs.</p>

232

<p>“the op is not an actor, but if she was, acting is not a dream, it’s a normal profession in a normal industry, it’s no harder than most industries to be successful in.”</p>

<p>LOL! I act in community theater and have friends who are professional actors. At any time, the majority of Equity actosrs are unemployed. It’s a field that it is rare for anyone – no matter how talented – to be successful in even if one defines “success” only as being able to support themselves by working in their field.</p>

<p>"Actors, producers, and directors work under constant pressure. Many face stress from the continual need to find their next job. …</p>

<p>Work assignments typically are short term—ranging from 1 day to a few months—which means that workers frequently experience long periods of unemployment between jobs. The uncertain nature of the work results in unpredictable earnings and intense competition for jobs. Often, actors, producers, and directors must hold other jobs in order to sustain a living."</p>

<p>[Actors</a>, Producers, and Directors](<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos093.htm]Actors”>http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos093.htm)</p>

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<p>North: your understanding of the entertainment industry and employment is wrong. There is lots of work…did you know there are more unemployed or under employed attorneys than pro actors?</p>

<p>Community theater is an excellent hobbie but it has nothing to do with the business of entertainment. Your post gives kids the wrong impression of a fun and wonderful industry.</p>

<p>There is stress and hard work required in any profession but to say acting is more difficult, well…it sounds like something you heard on TV:)</p>

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<p>Flvadad: sounds like a safe and measured approach. Where’s the fun in that?:)</p>

235

<p>@PacHeight: can you please site your source for this information? That there are more unemployed or underemployed attorneys than there are pro-actors? And how are you distinguishing between ‘actor’ and ‘pro-actor’?</p>

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<p>I know professional actors, and they have a very hard time supporting themselves by doing only acting. That’s why my local community theater has some professional actors in it. They have to work outside of their fields in order to support themselves.</p>

<p>The link I gave in post #232 provides info about the career challenges actors face.</p>

<p>Here’s more info:</p>

<p>"Actors and Actresses can expect a rate of approximately 11% growth between 2006 and 2016, according to the U. S. Bureaus of Labor Statistics, <a href=“http://www.bls.gov;%5B/url%5D”>www.bls.gov;</a> this is about as fast as the average growth of all occupations. Actors and Actresses will see an increased demand as the growth of television operations and major or independent films grow. More job openings for Actors and Actresses will be available as a result of the growing popularity of films in foreign countries. Due to many talented individuals that will be competing for a limited number of jobs that pay significantly, finding steady work for Actors and Actresses could be tough. "</p>

<p>[Actor</a> or Actress: Employment Outlook, Educational Requirements and Job Duties - Education Reference](<a href=“http://www.ed-reference.us/article/194/actor-or-actress-employment-outlook-educational-requirements-and-job-duties]Actor”>http://www.ed-reference.us/article/194/actor-or-actress-employment-outlook-educational-requirements-and-job-duties)</p>

<p>" * Actors endure long periods of unemployment, intense competition for roles, and frequent rejections in auditions.
* Formal training through a university or acting conservatory is typical; however, many actors, producers, and directors find work on the basis of their experience and talent alone.
* Because earnings for actors are erratic, many supplement their incomes by holding jobs in other fields…</p>

<p>Median hourly earnings of actors were $11.28 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.75 and $30.76. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.63, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56.48. Median annual earnings were $15.20 in performing arts companies and $9.27 in motion picture and video industries. Annual earnings data for actors were not available because of the wide variation in the number of hours worked by actors and the short-term nature of many jobs, which may last for 1 day or 1 week; it is extremely rare for actors to have guaranteed employment that exceeded 3 to 6 months."</p>

<p>"Although a small number of popular actors earn millions of dollars each year, the average income of the majority of Screen Actors Guild members is less than $5,000 per year. Beginning October 1, 2005, all unionized actors with a speaking part in a motion picture or television show were guaranteed a minimum daily pay rate of $716, or $2,483 for a five-day week. Most actors find that work is sporadic, and they must supplement their incomes by working other jobs. </p>

<p>Read more: Actor Job Description, Career as an Actor, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job [Actor</a> Job Description, Career as an Actor, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job](<a href=“Actor Job Description, Career as an Actor, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job - StateUniversity.com”>Actor Job Description, Career as an Actor, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job - StateUniversity.com)
[Career</a> Information - Actors, Producers, and Directors](<a href=“http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft23.shtml]Career”>Actors: Jobs, Career, Salary and Education Information)</p>

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<p>You’re wrong. There are lots and lots of people unemployed or underemployed in all professions…take real estate for example or construction, acting is no different or worse. Its just pop to saying acting is hard because people think the goal is to be a star.</p>

<p>You’re just wrong, for hard working and skilled actors there’s work…I suspect your friends are not them</p>

238

<p>This is what uneremployed lawyers do. Meanwhile, underemployed actors are working as waiters. </p>

<p>"ompetition for job openings should continue to be keen because of the large number of students graduating from law school each year. Graduates with superior academic records from highly regarded law schools will have the best job opportunities. Perhaps as a result of competition for attorney positions, lawyers are increasingly finding work in nontraditional areas for which legal training is an asset, but not normally a requirement—for example, administrative, managerial, and business positions in banks, insurance firms, real estate companies, government agencies, and other organizations. Employment opportunities are expected to continue to arise in these organizations at a growing rate.</p>

<p>As in the past, some graduates may have to accept positions in areas outside of their field of interest or for which they feel overqualified. Some recent law school graduates who have been unable to find permanent positions are turning to the growing number of temporary staffing firms that place attorneys in short-term jobs until they are able to secure full-time positions. This service allows companies to hire lawyers on an “as-needed” basis and permits beginning lawyers to develop practical skills while looking for permanent positions.:
[Lawyer</a> Job Outlook](<a href=“http://www.allthingspolitical.org/careers/lawyer_job_outlook.htm]Lawyer”>Lawyer Job Outlook | allthingspolitical.org)</p>

<p>Salaries for lawyers. Compare that with actors’ salaries as I listed in a previous post.</p>

<p>“In May 2008, the median annual wages of all wage-and-salaried lawyers were $110,590. The middle half of the occupation earned between $74,980 and $163,320. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of lawyers in May 2008 were:”</p>

<p>In May 2008, the median annual wages of all wage-and-salaried lawyers were $110,590. The middle half of the occupation earned between $74,980 and $163,320.
[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm#earnings]Lawyers[/url”&gt;http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm#earnings]Lawyers[/url</a>]</p>

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<p>OK, so attorneys turn to other professions to find work…that’s my point! all professions are hard and only the hard working and skilled find employment.</p>

<p>I don’t know why you pick on the entertainment industry as “more difficult” it’s not true. the entertainment is huge, billions and billions, lots and lots of work</p>

240

<p>I was talking about actors, not all professions in the entertainment industry. That industry consists of a variety of professions including lawyers, accountants, etc.</p>