Rutgers vs. Minnesota?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rutgers University
1

<p>I have been accepted to both schools, and I just can't decide which to go to :( I am planning on majoring in psychology and art. Both schools are equal in ranks, though Minnesota's psych department is higher, I think. Here is the breakdown for each one:</p>

<p>Rutgers: I am essentially getting a free ride here. I would only go in with about half a semester's worth of credits, and would still need to take some math and science courses (my worst subjects, and things I wanted to avoid in college). It's close to home and cheaper in that regard, and I know it is a very well-known college. The lack of debt would leave me free to do some semesters abroad and I kind of feel stupid for not instantly accepting a free ride.</p>

<p>However. I really don't want to go. I have visited the campus briefly on a school trip and did not like the feel of it. And even though I know logically it is a well-known school...well, looking at some of the kids in my grade who got in, I just don't want to associate myself with them and it, unfortunately makes me look down on the school a little!</p>

<p>Minnesota: I really love the campus for this school. The feel of it, how it's in a big metropolitan area... They have a great psych and a fairly good art department (and they offer art as a minor, which is something I prefer to doing a double major), and I've already been accepted into their honors program. I would almost definitely go in with sophomore standing- and credit for my IB Standard Level exams, biology and mathematics.</p>

<p>The only real downside here is that, overall, I would leave with $30,000 worth of debt (assuming I would get my BA in 3 years). I know that's fairly average, but my brother had the same amount of debt when he left BU (with a Master's), and right now he's paying $200-$250/month, for ten years. </p>

<p>I guess...does anyone know if that financial burden is worth it? It would be great not to have to pay anything, and then to be able to go get my master's degree somewhere (and perhaps only owe that money, instead of adding that on to debt I already owe).</p>

<p>I'm terrified of not being able to pay off my debt, but I'm equally as concerned about not being happy at Rutgers.</p>

2

<p>For a psych/art major, I would take the free ride. </p>

<p>You can be choosier about your grad school and you will have money to pay for it.</p>

3

<p>Yeah I agree with rualum, you shouldn’t forget about the abundance of opportunities offered at Rutgers such as a very high chance to get a job by the time you graduate and one of the best feelings in the world is no debt after college so if I were you I would go instantly for Rutgers, but I plan to be a Computer Science and Economics Double Major so my point of view might be very different from yours.</p>

4

<p>I certainly agree with rualum (as most Rutgers people from this board probably will). In terms of the people from your school who are going to be at Rutgers, I’m not kidding when I tell you that Rutgers is big enough that the most you’ll have to do with those people is nod and perhaps say a polite hello. And then walk away.</p>

5

<p>I would choose Rutgers for its location, in close proximity to NYC and Philadelphia. Especially if you are interested in art, there are galleries/shows/internships/job opportunities that you just won’t have access to in Minnessota. Also, in economic times like these, graduating without debt is EXTREMELY important. I chose Rutgers because it was a free ride for me, which allowed me to study abroad in Spain for a semester (and travel all throughout Europe) and now I have the funds to move to NYC and enter a PhD program in the fall. Choosing Rutgers was the best decision I ever made.</p>

6

<p>Thank you, this has all been taken into consideration. Danica, you brought up a very good point, mentioning how close to NYC/Philadelphia Rutgers is and how it financially freed you to do a semester abroad (something I’m also interested in). And I keep thinking how great it will feel to leave college debt free!</p>

<p>I wish Rutgers was better suited for me, but…as my mother says, no matter where I go I will have to sacrifice something. I don’t think financial security is something I really want to risk in the future- I’ve seen what problems debt can cause. And besides, most jobs will look at where I get my Master’s over where I get my BA. So thank you, everyone. I am fairly certain I’ll be going to Rutgers.</p>

7

<p>Best of luck, Igirl.</p>

8

<p>Sometimes we dismiss the colleges close to us, and romanticize to some degree those further from home. I am going to guess that students in Minnesota have some of the same reservations about their home university that you have about yours here in NJ.</p>