<p>Real estate agent. I am at a cross roads in my life making what is the toughest decision of my life. I graduated with my associates degree from a community college and was accepted as a transfer student to go to George Washington U in D.C. I haven't been packaged for financial aid but I am expecting the debt to be pretty substantial. I'd say upwards of 100k .. Is banking on becoming a Real Estate agent and having zero debt a better idea? Seems like a job I'd enjoy doing as I've done a lot of sales in the past.</p>
<p>Or would you say it is a dead end career? Meaning a max 35-50k with no growth? If I can make 70 - 100k after a few years of experience I would be happy.</p>
<p>Biggest question would be where you’d be working. DC real estate is very different from real estate in the middle of nowhere Virginia. </p>
<p>The problem with real estate is that it’s extremely competitive and based mainly on networking. Many successful real estate agents have spent years in the business to get where they are and most likely had connections to more well off individuals which allowed bigger, more expensive listings. It’s very hard to get your foot in the door having little to no experience and no mentor/relationship with someone that can offer you help.</p>
<p>What are you planning on studying at GWU? Was that the only school you applied to or is there a possibility of you getting aid from a different school? GWU is a very expensive school (used to be one of the most expensive). Most students there study something in the terms of political science or foreign affairs. Even then it’s still hard to justify much debt for that degree. If you’re planning on business, there’s WAY better programs that are WAY cheaper than $60,000+ a year.</p>
<p>Went to community college and got an Associates Degree in Paralegal with the idea that eventually I’d go to law school. Well having completed the paralegal degree I am pretty certain I don’t like law enough to become a lawyer. I got an internship with a congressman over the summer and am finding I don’t really like politics either. I like it sparingly, but definitely not on a full-time basis. So I thought… Maybe Economics… But I am deplorable at math. As in… Getting a 70 in basic algebra. So… Not sure what to do. I am in Philly and St. Joes offers tuition to older students (I’m 26) for like 15grand as opposed to the normal 35k. They have a good business school… But general Business Admin is meh and again Finance and Accounting prob don’t work b/c im terrible at math.</p>
<p>Well, definitely don’t commit to GWU unless you’re certain that you want to continue your education. With so much debt, you should have a better plan of what you want to study/do. Go and try real estate, why not? It’s a saturated and competitive market, but how do you succeed without trying? If real estate doesn’t work well for you, you can always go back to school! Good luck :D</p>
<p>I completely agree with Rolando. There’s no reason to accumulate that much debt for undergrad. Period. And you can always finish a bachelor’s later if you feel like it’s in your interest. </p>
<p>Lots of mediocre students that I knew from high school have made quite a lot of money in sales jobs (medical sales, real estate, etc.). Give it a try, maybe you’ll do great at it!</p>