<p>Okay, I'm in dire need of advice.
I didn't really apply to any colleges because basically when I was applying for college I had no idea what I was doing or what I wanted to major in and I didn't think I could get in anywhere.</p>
<p>SO I chose between two schools, one instate one out. Because engineering is much better at the out of state school and I really loved that state I chose to go there on pretty much a whim.</p>
<p>I came into college with 70 credits, and just completed my first year at my new school. I have two years left until I graduate.</p>
<p>Now the problem,
I have to pay for the last two years. The school COA is around $30,000.
So I'll have to take out upwards of $40,000, if I'm lucky, in private loans to finish school.
So with federal and private loans I'm going to probably have nearing 55,000 dollars in loans.</p>
<p>Now I've recently come to realize that my school's BME program is somewhere in the top twenty--which I don't really find impressive.</p>
<p>So should I take a year off, get in-state tuition, and continue my undergrad?
Look into transfering schools so at least I'm getting more bang for my buck?
Or just go to my home state's university, with the much weaker engineering program?</p>
<p>I really don't want to take a year off. It just seems too scary and I don't know if I could get a job. I don't really want go somewhere new for just two years and probably hardly get to know anyone. And yeah. I don't know. I need advice.</p>
<p>oh, and my school is super stingy with scholarships and financial aid. Meaning I get nothing but $400 for good grades.</p>
<p>ohh, and it appears all scholarship foundations hate me. so no go there.</p>
<p>I doubt that you can take a year off and get instate tuition, because most states reject applicants who moved to the state to attend school, as instate residents.</p>
<p>many students end up transferring after attending OOS school- it is just too expensive for a public school.</p>
<p>However many states have reciprocal agreements with neighboring states that can bring cost of tuition down.
What state do you live in?</p>
<p>I'm from Missouri and going to UW-Madision.
They do have a program at UW allowing students to to gain residency by taking a year off and working in Wisconsin.
And last year my parents paid for it, but I still had about 9,000 in federal loans.</p>
<p>Take a year off and work, if you really want to stay at UW, but make SURE that that will grant you residency!!!!! UM-Rolla has very well-respected engineering, if you want to transfer to an instate program. Have you gone to visit the college? It seems like a neat place to go to school.</p>
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<p>Now I've recently come to realize that my school's BME program is somewhere in the top twenty--which I don't really find impressive.>></p>
</blockquote>
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<p>I'm afraid I don't understand why top 20 in this field is something you "really don't find impressive". And what difference does it make, if you find a job after you graduate. </p>
<p>You have three choices...take out loans and finish now at the current school, take a year off and work and save and then finish at the current school, or transfer to a less costly in-state university to finish your schooling.</p>
<p>Re: Alfi's response...I don't think it's THAT easy to gain instate residency in Wisconsin.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I really appreciate it.
I'm actually really familiar with UMR--half of my senior class went there. Rolla doesn't have biomedical engineering or even biological engineering.<br>
I have checked in with the Office of Residency at UW and I have recieved the information about how to become a Wisconsin resident. I guess it's kind of obvious what I need to do and I'm just too scared to face it. School is my life and I can't imagine not being in it for a year. Maybe it won't be that bad, or maybe it will even be fun.</p>