<p>I am debating transferring to Smith College or UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago).</p>
<p>Yes, I know they are very different both in their environments and as far as academic challenge. Here's the situation:</p>
<p>I received a very generous financial aid package and an external scholarship that would cover my loans, which means both are debt free options. However, I currently live in Chicago and I can very realistically save money staying in Chicago (have a cheap-ish apartment) vs living on-campus or renting a room or apartment as a Smithie. I have 5 semesters left which means I could save about $10,000 (from getting a small refund and working a freelance position in Chicago).</p>
<p>I would be studying Government at Smith, Urban and Public Affairs at UIC (it's a smaller college than the Liberal Arts college.)</p>
<p>I am in my early 30s, so although I love the idea of finally getting to live the "college experience" I wonder if I should just accept that I'm in a different position in life and UIC makes more common sense. Another big consideration is that I am the only child to my mother who is in her mid-sixities. She works but does not have a stable job. I pay her cellphone and help her out a bit - however, when she's out of work for a couple months at a time, I have to pitch in a lot more, like paying rent or getting her up to date on heating bills so the service is not cut off. So basically, I'm worried that a situation like this might arise while I'm living out-of-state without money to bail her out.</p>
<p>I would like to go on to grad school but not interested in getting into debt over it. I'm looking at staying in the non-profit sector, so not expecting to make boatloads of money with my degree.</p>
<p>I would appreciate any comments or things I should consider as I make this decision.</p>
<p>Personally? I think Smith is worth the extra $10K. Not just because it’s a better “name” school, but because of the educational experience there. UIC is a great choice and if you chose to stay because of your job and obligations, you’re not really going wrong - but the quality of education and the “experience” will likely be better at Smith.</p>
<p>Of course, caring for your mom is the caveat here. Do you think that you would be able to do that if you went to Smith? Are you eligible for work-study, or do you think you can get an on-campus job there? The other thing is…is your mother infirm? Mid-60s is not that old. It’s understandable if she’s sick or facing mobility issues. Either way, could you help her apply for state benefits like housing or temporary assistance so that you don’t have to pitch in as much to pay her rent or heating bills? That’s a huge burden on you, to essentially maintain two households a few months out of the year.</p>
<p>Is it possible for your mother to come with you? I mean, not necessarily to actually live with you, but you could be on campus and she could live nearby. It’s a great area. (I am in my mid-60’s and would consider that.)</p>
<p>she’s in good health, there was a bout with breast cancer about 5 years back - stage II, but she got through it, thankfully.
Unfortunately, she doesn’t qualify for most forms of government assistance, but we’ll definitely look for non-governmental organizations or church groups to have as a back up plan. </p>
<p>@compmom yes, I’m an Ada. I will be looking to get a job but don’t want to work too many hours since I have to maintain a B average as the conditions of my scholarship. </p>
<p>Reading back my post I agree - it sounds like I’m looking for people to reaffirm that staying in Chicago is not a bad idea Part of it, is that I tend to be a worrier, always thinking three steps ahead. </p>
<p>As for coming to live with me, I think it might be expensive to move out there. Rents, from what I’ve seen, are more expensive in the PV area than in some Chicago neighborhoods. Plus, there’s very limited public transportation. But you make a good point. If the situation got drastic, I could definitely move off campus and have her move in, even if just for a semester or two while things pick up. I can also look at loading up in the semester so I can graduate in 4 semesters instead of 5. </p>
<p>I really hope you do the Ada Comstock program. I was in your position at the same age and wish I had had access to a program like that. You won’t find that kind of support and community anywhere.</p>
<p>Rents in the Smith area are much better than any place I have lived. I was thinking you could live on campus and you mom could rent something-? That’s what I would do for my daughter right now or, for that matter, my mother!!</p>
<p>I appreciate your concern for your mother and your willingness to help her out financially, but I think you should go to Smith and spread your wings.</p>
<p>If your mother’s financial situation takes a nosedive and she is unable to find any work–I know or have known a number of people, people with degrees, who supplement their incomes cleaning houses, pet sitting or walking, babysitting, and so on–you could move her to the Northampton area temporarily where she could do that kind of work, or YOU could get some on-campus or other local work and send her some money.</p>
<p>I think you deserve the Smith experience and should do it. Years ago I worked with someone who was an Ada Comstock Scholar when she was a divorced mother of two receiving no support at all from her ex. She made it work using AFDC to support her kids. It was tough at times, but it was a great experience for her. (And IMHO a great investment of taxpayer’s dollars.)</p>
<p>This is tough. Smith should open more doors for you, but if you’re going in to non-profit, does it matter all that much? The payoff won’t be very big anyway. Plus you have your mother to worry about.</p>
<p>Anyone here work in non-profit? How snooty are people about schooling in that field?</p>
<p>It is not about a monetary payoff. It is about a unique opportunity for a particular experience. You are not going to let your mother starve or freeze. You can help her out, you can step in if you need to.</p>
<p>Depending on the non-profit concerned, some can be pretty snooty about one’s college pedigree. Heard plenty about this from HS and college classmates who ended up in the non-profit world. </p>
<p>I reread your post this morning. The financial support you give your mother is doable from anywhere. I wonder if the issue is less money and more a desire to stay close. I am in my mid-60’s and my kids are younger than you: they are just starting to spread their wings and live further away, after college…and I am surviving!</p>
<p>That said, when I was in my 30’s I considered the ADA Comstock program. At that age you are somewhat settled where you are so the answer depends on how you feel about being totally uprooted. Are there things about your current life that you don’t want to leave or disrupt, such as the job you mentioned, friends, your community, yoga class, whatever?</p>
<p>I ended up doing state university instead, because I could stay where I was, continue a job I liked, and because the university offered me a lower stress way to do school, meaning the number of courses I could handle in addition to work, and the ability to withdraw and return easily (which was great when I had kids). It was also cheaper, and you said you would save $10K at UIC.</p>
<p>So I will qualify my opinion above that you definitely should do the Smith program. But don’t use your mom’s need for rental or heat assistance as a reason to stay where you are. The Smith program is great but do what is best for your life right now as well as your future :)</p>
Something to keep in mind as an older non-traditional student is that you are well past the time where you can have the traditional college experience of an 18-22 year-old. That ship sailed a long time ago. You can have a great experience and get a good education that will help you in your life, but you can’t do the 20-y-o thing now. </p>
<p>That said, if your mother weren’t one of the issues, which would you choose? If you say Smith, then that’s what you should do and just do the best you can to make it work. That’s what I would want if I were your mom. (And I’m old enough to be your mom and was a very non-traditional student myself.) Don’t let your mother be the “excuse” that prevents you from doing what you really want to do but are afraid to.</p>
<p>Unique opportunity and particular experience are wonderful and all, but will the OP believe that the sacrifices she has to take now for all that stuff will be worth it 10 years from now, or would she think it placed too much hardship on her and her family and 10 years later consider it not worth it? That is why it’s a tough decision.</p>
<p>Just remember that you really cannot make a bad decision here. These are both great opportunities and you will d fine either way:) Family is important too…</p>
<p>Just as an FYI. Public transportation in the PV is by bus, and is actually excellent and heavily used. It is one of the only areas in the US outside of a major city where I have seen public transportation so mainstream. I agree at 30 you will never have the same “college experience” as the the 18-22 year olds. However the Ada program gives you a bit of a college community like yourself, and some support for your specific situation. Finally, Smith has a strong alumni network which is bound to be helpful in the non-profit world. That said, if moving away from Mom adds to much stress it will color the whole experience.</p>
<p>Consider fit - both in terms of how you fit in to the school, and how the respective schools fit your needs. If you think that you will be returning to Chicago after college and if the CUPPA program is a closer fit with your career goals… don’t let ideas of prestige or romantic ideas about college life color your college decision. </p>
<p>My kids are both poli sci majors. My d. graduated at age 22 from Barnard and my son graduated at age 25 from a CSU. In terms of government & nonprofit work, the degree name doesn’t make much of a difference-- in the end, they are looking at experience. Both of my kids got jobs out of college that paid about the same and were closely related to their fields of studies. Neither still has the same job – my son went back to grad school full time and is no looking for work; my d. is attending grad school part time while working full time at a job that has nothing whatsoever to do with her undergraduate major. </p>
<p>I think you really need to focus on which path is most likely to enhance your career goals. Consider diversity factors, including age-diversity - from reported stats, it looks like the Ada Comstock students less than 4% of the Smith student body. I don’t know how many students are at CUPPA and how many are undergrads vs. grad students, and what the age distribution is. But I do think that you may find that there’s a gulf between you and students in their early 20’s that might be particularly noticeable in courses focused on politics and historical events over the past few decades. (My son was only a few years older than his college classmates when he transferred in after a few years working, but even that made a difference – he was quite stunned when he realized that he was the only student in his classroom who actually remembered the fall of the Soviet Union. – that was about 10 years ago-- this coming fall, there will be students entering college who barely remember 9/11. When it comes to a politics/government focused major, that means a very different frame of reference for all sorts of issues.). </p>
Part of it, is that I tend to be a worrier, always thinking three steps ahead. </p>
and was a very non-traditional student myself.) Don’t let your mother be the “excuse” that prevents you from doing what you really want to do but are afraid to.</p>