<p>I noticed a recent article in Investors Business Daily that we are now in the longest recession. The economy is terrible with many out of work, and new grads competing with laid off workers for jobs. Given this background, do you think college location plays a big part in the college decision? I hear people promoting going to college near DC because DC has a stronger job market compared to the rest of the US. And, who knows what will happen in 4 years?</p>
<p>I’ve never heard the DC thing but I know I gave up a college in DC because of the money. I can’t afford to pay $50,000 a year just for the location. If anything the only change in college choice goes toward the cheaper side. Many people go to their state flagship instead of the pricier private schools they were accepted to.</p>
<p>I agree that many are taking the in state schools. This trend towards attending in state universities is evident in the college choices of the recent senior class of our high school. </p>
<p>However, I notice that some people question the choice of why attend schools in depressed areas of the country, unless you get a great scholarship or there is some other outstanding feature of the other school.</p>
<p>I’ve seen the wisdom in going to a school in a city such as D.C or Boston,etc. (my D attended GW). The only friends of my D’s who ended up with jobs are those who were working at internships or part-time jobs in their fields during their four years of school. These gave their resumes a more “experienced” rather than entry-level look.</p>
<p>Attending college in an area where the economy is doing well will often provide more opportunities for local coops and internships, as long as you are plugged into the system for local companies looking to the local university for employees.</p>
<p>Interesting, never thought of the regional issues. Our choices have definitely changed since the recession. Since I was out of work in 2008/9 and knowing that it could happen again for one of us, we are looking for colleges that we can handle on one income, merit aid, etc. I think if the recession hadn’t happened we wouldn’t be going that route.<br>
If you are picking a particular industry that has a strong regional/economic hiring base, I would think it would be to your benefit to attend college/intern in that area.</p>
<p>a HS grad of 2010, who doesn’t take a gap year, and graduates in four years, will not be graduating till 2014. I have a hard time saying I know with any confidence which metro areas will be have tighter job markets for college grads in 2014. </p>
<p>I guess there are still implications for summer jobs, coop jobs, and things like that.</p>