<p>I’m not sure how much I would take out in loans yet. I’m fully aware that it’s expensive, but i’d find a way to make it work. and i’m planning on going into nursing if i attend uconn. i’ll have a job right after graduation. i’ll figure things out when i need to. right now, i mostly concerned about attending a school i love</p>
<p>You asked us whether you’re making a mistake by planning on going to U Conn. My answer is, yes, you’re making a mistake to take on the amount of debt that it will take you to go to that out of state school that’s also so far away from home and is so expensive.</p>
<p>If you have to take out $20 k a year in loans (and I anticipate your loans would have to be higher to attend U Conn.), your monthly payment on your loans would be close to $1,000 a month.</p>
<p>Average starting salary for RNS is 39,000 a year. After taxes and social security are deducted (and they total about 1/3 of your pay), your take-home pay would be about $26,000 a year, which is about $2,166 a month. Subtract $1,000 in student loans from that, and you’d have about 1,166 a month to live on.</p>
<p>Check the rental costs of one-bedroom apartments. Where I live – a place with a medium high cost of living – a one-bedroom costs about $860 a month. An average 2-bedroom apartment costs about 1,100, so even if one is sharing a two-bedroom with a roommate, one’s apartment costs would be about $550 a month not including electricity.</p>
<p>That leaves just $550 a month for car payment, car insurance, groceries, entertainment, and electricity.</p>
<p>And all of these are low estimates because I estimated your borrowing “only” $20 k a year, leaving college about $80 k in debt. Since U Conn. costs about $40 k a year, it’s likely you’d have to borrow much more.</p>
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<p>I just wanted to clarify that UCONN is very inexpensive for instate students. As Northstarmom said, the OOS tuition and the costs of traveling don’t make things worth it, even with the fact that nursing is a very in-demand profession right now.</p>
<p>I’m from Connecticut and I think you may be better staying in the west than going across the country. It can be very difficult to get used to the Winter weather. I live in a very protected area that doesn’t receive nearly as much snow as the rest of CT, but it’s still so annoying to deal with trying to get around when it’s cold and windy (the wind really makes things miserable), and snow just makes things harder.</p>
<p>You may or may not like the fact that it’s in the middle of nowhere. Overall, the amount you’ll save on traveling alone will if you stay in the west may justify going to a school there with similar tuition (also depending on FA).</p>
<p>It is worth applying if you are really considering going there, but be aware that OOS admission is pretty competitive.</p>
<p>If you are determined to leave California (and I don’t blame you - we feel the same way about our son), you should look into the Western University Exchange program, for schools that will accept students from western states at a reduced OOS tuition. There are alot of schools to look at. Check the link.</p>
<p>[WICHE</a> - Student Exchange Programs](<a href=“http://wue.wiche.edu/search_results.jsp?searchType=all]WICHE”>http://wue.wiche.edu/search_results.jsp?searchType=all)</p>
<p>I think you should just give it a shot. I truly believe in moving outside of your comfort zone (ie. where you grew up and familar with), cause you’ll learn a lot about yourself and know nothing would be holding you back. Especially coming out of socal and going to the east coast is a huge contrast and you’ll definitely experience something you wouldn’t have in cali, but be sure you can handle those cold winters.</p>
<p>The climate is not what you have to worry about- it’s the loans. </p>
<p>Don’t do it! Your loans are going to be like an additional 1-2 or even 3 car payments EVERY month for 10 very, VERY long years. That would put you into your early 30s. The debt would make it very difficult to settle down, buy a place to live, start a family, go on vacation, etc. Are you REALLY willing to do that?</p>
<p>I live fairly close to Uconn, so I can give some tips:</p>
<p>1) Do not underestimate the New England weather. Coming from SoCal, a change of weather may SOUND nice…but it really can be dismal. From November to early march, here in CT it gets really gray, and there’s dirt on the snow…maybe I’m biased though, because I hate the winter.</p>
<p>2) Big time sports? If that’s what you want, you’ve got it. Uconn huskies spirit is very present all throughout games, etc.</p>
<p>3) Academic quality? It’s solid. Many kids from my high school apply, and a lot get in. Is it Harvard, with a 7% acceptance rate? No, but they do have a decent amount of quality programs that could maybe secure you a job after graduation.</p>
<p>Do you want to switch spots? I want to live in Southern California!</p>
<p>UConn is a very well known, big, public university. If you like what you see, you should be fine. In such a big and well known school, you will be able to make friends and be successful academically. Go for it!</p>
<p>Think many times over about taking on those loans. My first son is graduating from college this May and the reality that loan payments are beginning is a frightening thought. When he gained admission to his dream school and declared his major we never thought we would see the market go bust. Now the field that he is about to enter is considered high earning but the reality is that he will probably be at home for a while, just to get his loans paid off. </p>
<p>With the loans you are considering, it will be a very difficult post graduation for you. Northstarmom put up some excellent advice and it is really something that you should think about.</p>