<p>Any more thoughts?</p>
<p>Speaking as a mom- whose kids are first gen college- my priority by far is for them to get the best education they can. This out weighs my personal feelings about wishing I could see them more, no matter how much I would like that.</p>
<p>If I was your mom, I probably would be upset if you decided to move home and attend school.</p>
<p>If you want to go home to be close to friends then don’t. Like HPuck said, your friends are moving on with their life, your image is fading away in their mind. My son only contacted local friends only during the first year Christmas. My freshmen daughter had many friends during the HS time, went out together a lot. But she only came to meet 2 of her closest friends once during the last Christmas break.</p>
<p>Just for clarification, the debt you’re talking about is $20K a YEAR or for all 4 years? If it’s $20K for ALL 4 years, that’s very manageable. If it’s $20K PER year, that’s $80K and that would be a serious burden to pay off, especially for an undergrad degree. The $20K is similar to a car loan and can be generally paid off in about 4-5 years (shorter if you really work at it).</p>
<p>You haven’t mentioned much about the local college other than the cost, yet you are at a public Ivy. Will you be well prepared for graduate school in psychology if you transfer? Do they have a strong department? If you were offered merit aid at the other school as a freshman it is doubtful that it would still be available as a transfer, so the cost may not be as large. All things to consider.</p>
<p>I think it is okay to apply to the local school, just to cover yourself. They may have transfer scholarships available if you apply early enough. You don’t have to make a decision yet. It is possible that you will actually want to stay by the end of this semester, but you are covered in case you don’t.</p>
<p>A family friend went to a small school out of state, and she decided to transfer to our state flagship, UMich, which I guess you could call a public ivy. She HATED it … she withdrew, and everyone was really worried about her. She ended up transferring back to her original school, which was not well known. She was so much happier, though, and she is in grad school now. She is just fine.</p>
<p>My son decided to transfer schools because he changed programs. He was a little late in making the decision, so he decided to attend a local school with the intention of transferring to the flagship next fall. As it turns out, he really likes the local school a lot. He wishes he were away at school in some ways, but he is okay with being at home. He enjoys his classes, and he has friends in the area. He is very content. Would it be “better” for him to go to the flagship? Some would say yes, but he is happy. He is doing very well academically. That is good enough for me.</p>
<p>Only you can decide what is best for you. The important thing is to remember that it is only four years … your family will always be there for you. You do not need to be home in order to be close to your family. BUT … if you weigh the pros and cons and still believe being home is best, then that is okay. It is YOUR decision.</p>
<p>Family obligation and financial security are fine reasons to go home to finish school. $20K debt WON’T be easy to pay back, if you’ll also need a car, pay your parents back, etc, etc. Nothing wrong with returning home to finish school, if after you weigh everything, you find it’s best for you. Think of your future, not of letting down your parents or seeing your friends. I’m surprised at all the posters who are urging you to stay at the expensive school. </p>
<p>My S also returned home, for a number of very good reasons. He will finish at the local state school, and currently works full time making good money (more than many/most college grads) and getting great experience. The fact that his degree will be from our local school rather than his former expensive LAC will make very little difference because he will have had 3-4 years of solid work experience when he graduates. And no debt. </p>
<p>If you feel you may need to help your parents out financially, as you seem to indicate, then any debt at all may be impossible to manage. I suggest you fill out the application as needed, and make your decision in May at the point when you need to accept the transfer offer. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>24K vs 6K per yr is 18K x 3 = 54K savings for a psych degree. If you are not truly going to benefit, grow or be happy by being away at your current school then you should def go home. There are many paths to achieve your goals and being away & getting the dorm experience is not for everyone nor necessarily the be all, end all best way to get a college education. By the end of this semester you should have a sound sense of what you want to do but keep an open mind, talk it out with your sister & family then make the decision that is best for you in the short & long term. Good luck.</p>
<p>To anyone who’s posted, thanks for the input. I really appreciate those of you who have been able to see my side of things.</p>
<p>Also, the 20K estimate is for all four years, not per year.</p>
<p>I know my mom would be upset regarding my choice to return home, but she doesn’t really understand the extent of college finances. All she sees is the prestige in my attending this school. I’m happy that she’s proud of me. I’ve had to work with financial hardship my whole life, which probably explains my hesitance in saddling up with all of these loans. Getting to where I’m at right now is really the goal I’ve been working toward my whole life, but I’m finding it less fulfilling because of my debt worries. The social aspect has really taken a backseat. I mean, I know I’m strong enough to grow past that.</p>
<p>I talked with my sister about it this past weekend and she told me to stick it out this semester, since I’m already here, but to really consider the finances and future that I want. So, that is the plan.</p>