<p>I have the option of going to a local four year university with 90% off tuition. I know this is the best option financially, but the location of the university is hardly at all ideal. I'm wanting to attend college in the city, preferably Chicago and possibly even NYC. I'm also considering studying abroad in somewhere such as London. I'm wondering if I should play it safe and attend the college that's cheaper and closer to home, or if I should go out on a limb, spend the money, and really go after my ambitions. If I play it safe, I feel as if I'll be giving up on my dreams and holding myself back from all the opportunities the cities will have to offer, of which the small town the lower priced college cannot offer me. Also with the study abroad, I'm probably not going to do it unless I attend the lower cost college, but I'm also thinking of my future career, and a life so far away from home doesn't really appeal to me, so attending college within the US is my better option.</p>
<p>Can you reveal what this university is? Many universities offer study abroad programs. You don’t have to be in a city to explore academic opportunities. It also depends on the cost difference. If it means you taking out tons of loans, that’s not something you’ll want to be burdened by for the few years (or decades) after graduation.</p>
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<p>The local university is Ball State University and it does offer study abroad programs. The Univ. I’m looking into in Chicago is University of Illinois at Chicago, which seems to be reasonably priced and it too offers study abroad programs.</p>
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<p>Spend WHOSE money? What are your parents saying? Are they willing to pay the OOS costs for UI-C? If not, when you say, “go out on a limb, spend the money,” then…what money?</p>
<p>UI-C isn’t better than Ball State. They are similar schools. I can’t imagine that UI-C would be worth the OOS costs over instate WITH good-sized merit Ball State.</p>
<p>What is your major and career goal?</p>
<p>If you can get merit to Ball State, can you get merit elsewhere? What are your stats?</p>
<p>I’d be spending a combination of my money and my parent’s money, the bulk of it being my parent’s. I’m wanting to major in English Lit or Professional Writing. My career goal is to go into publishing/editing or writing of some sort. My parent’s are willing to spend the money if I help them out with getting a job and whatnot. The OOS for UI-C isn’t much of a concern because I will be able to get in-state tuition (have already discussed this with parents and university). As for merits, I am most likely not going to get very many, if any at all. My academics are good but the merits will go to the better students in my class. I may be able to recieve merits based on my writing skills and essays. </p>
<p>So, it looks like these two options are:
Ball State with a ginormous scholarship, or UI-C at in-state costs. Why don’t you apply to both, see if you are admitted and what aid comes through for you at UI-C, and then decide next spring?</p>
<p>I’d apply to both and see what happens. And if you do go to Ball State you should see if it is a possible to do a year (or a semester) in a US city as an exchange student which might be a good option for you (many schools have these types of programs as well as abroad programs).</p>
<p>Applying to both and figuring it out from there seems like the smartest thing to do. Thank you for all for your advice</p>
<p>Just wanted to tag on at the end. I was in the same position as you after high school (Kent State University vs. FIT and a few others), and I chose the safer route to save money. Three years later, I have an enormous amount of regret, left school, have suffered from depression and feel as if I’ve been leveled out of having the career I want. I’m now on the CC boards trying to transfer to some of the original schools I wanted to go to out of high school.</p>
<p>Shoot for the stars! You have one life, don’t let it be dictated by money.</p>