I’ve narrowed it down to UConn and Connecticut College but I have to basically to make my final decision today. I plan on majoring in psychology but might also be interested in behavioral neuroscience. UConn would mean no debt, Conn would mean about $30k in debt. I feel that the small classes at Conn would suit me better but I just don’t know if that’s worth the extra money, especially since I’m planning to go to grad school (right now I’m thinking about a PhD in psych or possibly dental school). I also think that Conn would better prepare me for grad school admission because of the more individualized attention. Which should I choose?
UConn as long as you like the atmosphere. Here’s why. It’s a great school. And everything you said about Conn Col sounds accurate too However it’s a long time and a lot more money to pursue those advanced degrees. And paying for your UG while a TA doing your PhD work is tough. Dental school is really expensive too. And both don’t lead to riches overnight once completed.
UConn feels like the smart play, but the reality is that many, many students have to take out loans, and they often do so at the maximum limit: 5500, 6500, 7500, 7500 over four years for a total of 27K (do I have these figures right?). Thus, Conn is not grossly expensive at 30K in debt.
On the other hand, I’m an LAC fan, so be careful. I’m not to be trusted! I can definitely tell you that when one feels like the LAC environment is the perfect fit–small classes, faculty who want to teach undergrads, a wholly residential setting for four years–it is tough to consider the large State U.
If the plan is grad school, and if you can get accepted into psych PhD programs that are fully funded (tuition waivers plus stipend), then perhaps Conn isn’t that much of a risk. However, if grad school or dental school will cost money (and dental school would, of course), then UConn is probably the smarter choice. Also, one can get into grad school/professional school from any college (although the LAC fan in me needs to point out that small colleges send students to grad school/professional school at much higher rates than public universities, though to be fair this is in part due to very different student bodies (not every U student is interested in graduate school); however, the close attention from faculty and the–IMO–more rigorous coursework often work in the favor of LAC students who often make a seamless transition to grad school).
Okay, so I said a lot but didn’t help you. Good luck!
@privatebanker @Hapworth thank you for the help!! I ended up choosing Conn College 