I went to Purdue for 3 years studying Pharmacy. It wasn’t for me, and I came home and a year later I’m getting my A.S. in Computer Science.
I want to finish a BS, and I’m conflicted whether or not to go back to Purdue or go in-state to Rutgers.
Money ISN’T an issue because I’m joining the National Guard (waived tuition at either school).
Rutgers has an in-state transfer agreement so I’d graduate in 2 years.
Purdue has a much better program, but won’t accept much if any of my CS courses so I’d be out in 3.
Purdue seems to have much more opportunity in terms of partnering with industry leaders.
Purdue also ranks higher at 20 where Rutgers is at 34.
Cost of living in Indiana is almost half of that in New Jersey.
I much prefer the traditional campus of Purdue as opposed to the lonely but crowded pseudo-city that is Rutgers.
I have a very decent part-timer to rely on in Indiana, that is in a flexible situation to have me come and go as I please.
Since I can only take a max of 60 credits to Rutgers, everything I studied at Purdue would be thrown away.
If I return to Purdue, I could easily pickup a second Biology major (without adding time).
Do you think taking that extra year to return to Purdue would be a bad decision?
Its evident I’d like to go back to Purdue. I’m not asking for you to confirm my current bias, but I’m looking for experience in a similar situation or any advice a parent would give to their kid.
I’m already 21, and training with the Guard will take another year (thankfully I’m going cyber or intelligence, so its not a waste). I’m looking at a graduation at 24 (Rutgers) or 25 (Purdue).
I don’t think the difference in rank is significant and I don’t know much specifically about the two computer departments. I don’t think a biology major would add significantly to your employability. Instead I’d look to what kind of computer science opportunities you can pursue - either paid work or research may be possible. Given that money is not a big issue I don’t think you need to worry about the extra year. I took a year off before college and another one before grad school in architecture which was a three year program, so starting your professional life at 24 or 25 doesn’t seem that unreasonable to me. I think for most of the reasons you have stated Purdue is a better choice for you. Good luck.
Go to Rutgers, a year of not earning say $60k as a CS major is an expensive year, plus the additional expense of the additional year at Purdue, I work in tech, worry about learning things employers care about and not ranking of school.
If you go to Rutgers, your Purdue credits in excess of 60 won’t be “thrown away”. It is just that not all of them will be able to be used as credits that can be counted as applying toward your degree. If you still want a Bio major or minor, the Purdue courses can probably be counted as fulfilling courses required toward a Bio major/minor and certainly should be usable as pre-requisites for advanced coursework in Bio.
Not exactly your situation, but as someone who took a year between undergrad and grad to travel and thus entered the workforce a “year late”, one year isn’t going to hurt or help. It’s just life.
Go with your gut instinct. It sound like you want Purdue. I don’t see a downside. Good luck
Follow your instincts, it is not a wasted year. Missing out on $60k for one year in your mid 20’s won’t make any difference over the next 60+ years but missing out on the experience you are seeking could haunt you for those years to come.
Go with your feelings/gut/instincts. Definitely worth the extra year to be where you want to be. 25 is not that old. Take any biology or other credits if you enjoy the courses- the extra major won’t open up job opportunities. Post #5 says it well. You may want to work away from the east coast and job opportunities may be worth a lot more than 60k with a better known program. You may want to take more computer science/math courses- beyond requirements- instead of looking to do a second major in any field.
PS- your road isn’t that long even with an extra year. And you have to count those years spent in a college as living- better to be where you want to be than suffering just to get through them. Is it worth two years of your life spent where you do not want to be instead of three where you do want to be?
Your word choices show your inclination to go back to Purdue. If you can afford to make it work, then go where you want to be. The unfortunately overused ‘you only live once’ seems applicable here.
I amend my answer to be IMO. Going to Purdue is certainly not going to ruin your life or be a “wrong” decision. Just think the Rutgers route makes more sense, but then again none of us always does what makes the most sense. Go where you will be happy, just understand the $ implications and if that matters or not
Thank you so much. I’ve been so worried that I’d be so behind in life (not that I’m not behind already).
I guess I can only take the opportunities that I want looking forward.
Unfortunately I haven’t made any solid decisions, but I recognize now that deep down what I want is to go back to Purdue.
Some interesting advice I have received was to just go to Rutgers, don’t join the Guard take the 2 years of in-state debt, and commission if I’d still like to serve later on. I’d have my degree at 23, and be in position to become an officer. (Granted with about 40k of debt + the 6k of debt I have already).
The problem with this would be that I’d have no part-time job for the time being, and I’d be reliant on living at home, and I 'd have no rent / living money.
My original plan made me self sufficient, scratched my itch to serve, and took me through the college of my choice without having to need your help (Mom and Dad) but its going to cost me a year or two.
DO you want to join the military? You should think about that first. What happens if you don’t finish school? Don’t want to enlist? You may have to pay back everything.
Yes I do. I’d like to serve one way or another. I don’t plan for a military career, I’d just like to do my part.
There is no way I wouldn’t finish school. There is nothing else on my mind. If it happens, I already have my A.S. which I can take back to Rutgers (or any public NJ institution). The only way I could possibly for-see that happening is if I suddenly have a thirst to go active-duty. (Which I don’t.)
School is #1 for me.
I just figured, I could have it paid for if I enlist and do my training first. To be specific, I’m joining the Air National Guard, not Army National Guard. Yes I have been in contact with both AFROTC detachments at both schools. There is no way to get money from ROTC in my situation.
If I were you, I’d go with Purdue + National Guard. I realize that being one year “late” feels like a lot right now, but it really isn’t – especially when that year isn’t being spent with you lying around playing video games but concretely pursuing a goal. I realize there’s an opportunity cost – 1 yr of income. But realize that there are very very few times in life where you get to do something you want without having to pay for it – so you may not make income for an additional year, but it costs you nothing extra to go to Purdue – which is what you want. Go for it – enjoy the campus experience and the big football thing (if you’re into it). And given that you’re pursuing fields that are employable, you shouldn’t feel like if you’re a year “late” in getting a job – they’re won’t be options; that’s just not the case with computer science and IT fields.
Thanks. My worries stem from not being only a year “late”. I graduated high school in 2011. I’m going to be 4 years late in that situation. Purdue is what I want.
Just to gain some perspective, are you a parent or a student?
Go to Purdue and get the dual major. It sounds like you will be happier there, and there is a possibility that the bio/cs combination might get you a unique offer. Also, one more year in your 20’s will not make much of a difference.
One mom’s opinion (who, BTW, has a 22-yr-old D who graduated HS in 2011 and is working on her own plan for how to complete her degree after changing majors):
Based on your desire to serve in the military, your assurance that you plan to finish school, and your desire to live in IN over NJ, I’d be more than okay with your plan to finish your degree at Purdue. It sounds like you’ve put considerable time and thought into researching your options, developed a sound plan for completion, you’ve invested in an AS CS degree so you know you’re still interested in a 4-year CS degree, and you aren’t plunging into debt. Kudos to you! (And apologies for the run-on sentence!)
BTW, I’m in high tech and Purdue grads are well-respected in my region of New England. I’ve never run into any Rutgers grads (that I know of, anyway.) I agree with those who say go ahead and get the Bio major if that seems like fun, but don’t anticipate that it’ll make you more employable. It might, but it wouldn’t have helped at the 5 companies I’ve worked for.
I’m a little confused. Did you withdraw completely from Purdue or just take a year off? Did you have financial aid or scholarship there and can you get that back? Are you sure about the ROTC? Would you start back this fall or not until fall 2016? Wouldn’t cost of living in NJ be less if you lived at home? If your parents would support that, you would have about $30K of debt. Will they pay for one more year of tuition? Plus, there are definitely part-time jobs in New Brunswick to be had.
I would really think about the military part and look at your options with and without that. Either choice will get you to where you want to be. But if you finish at 23 and can make $40-$50K, you can probably pay off that $30K in loans in the three years it would take you to do the ROTC training and finish at Purdue.
But if you really prefer Purdue, even though it will be different as a 24-26 yo than it was as a younger student, then it sounds like you have a plan to make that happen. Both are decent options.
I withdrew. I have been in contact with the Director of Admissions at the College of Science, and all that is left to get done is the final word on credit transfer.
In regards to ROTC, I was an AFROTC cadet for a semester, but the rigor of study and work wouldn’t allow me to continue. I would start Fall 2016, due to training and being away for the Air National Guard.
Mom and Dad, you paid full sticker price for my 3 years of out-of-state at Purdue. Granted I took as much financial responsibility as I could, I wouldn’t even consider asking you for any more money. It was your dream that I became a doctor. I really wasn’t interested, and I’m determined to independent from here on out.
I know there are options where AROTC (Army) and National Guard (Army) that allows simultaneous membership, but my eyesight is quite poor, and I don’t believe I’d qualify: due to the Army being more combat oriented. I’m really only looking to do one stint (If one would even consider Air National Guard as a full stint) in the military. I’d only consider commissioning into a reserve component later on. I think at 21, the active duty window already passed me by.
Currently, I do not plan to continue with any ROTC program. I’d like to serve, but not as a career. I figured that the best way would be to serve and get college paid for (instead of serving after College as an officer but deep in debt.).
@dswinnh
Thank you so much. Its so crazy how some changes in majors are simple and painless, and others throw you off the track completely. My best wishes to your D and her endeavors. I will heed your point about the Bio major! I figured to just pick up that “paper” anyway to show something for the 3 years I spent previously, nothing more.