UT Austin v. Rutgers v. U AL?

Parents Forum
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<p>I hate to post this. Head is spinning though; and son sees the positives in all these schools.</p>

<p>UT Austin is the 1st choice, but, so far it's about $38k in loans per year (reduced to hopefully about 15k a year w/my future projections of salary allocated to paying off loans). 9# ranked program in major (comp sci), high tech area, lots of opportunities for jobs & internships.</p>

<p>U of AL is near-free-ride (son loves the beautiful campus & dorms & weather) but I've just heard from friends in the South that the alumni network is local as is the rep (not strong to start). We're from NJ so maybe degree wouldn't play as well back east, should he return. No grad school to mitigate lower-presige undergrad, planned as yet.</p>

<p>Rutgers -- instate U which will still cost about $21k a year, but has decent (#31 ranked) comp sci pgrm. Son dislikes campus, but several HS buddies are going and (suddenly this seems important to the family???) he can come home when he wants. 7 year old sister is lobbying for this & suddenly mom feels like heart being ripped out when plane-accessible-only schools discussed.</p>

<p>It will come down to son's choice (we'll likely cosign for whatever..sigh). But, he is amenable to discussion and sees the pros in all of these. </p>

<p>If anyone had a thought, it would be helpful.</p>

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<p>Jolynne-I don’t want to complicate the decision, but are all the other acceptances off the table? It seems that some of them might have been good compromises (PSU, Pitt, VT), big schools with good programs and sports, lower tuitions and within driving distance of NJ. Nothing would be stopping him from applying for summer internships in Austin or other high tech areas from whstever school he ultimately chooses. </p>

<p>I would be very hesitant to have our family take on loans that size, especially in this economic climate, and I don’t think any 17 or 18 year olds can really understand the impact of carrying large debt. Keep in mind, tuition will rise each year so a loan of 38k this year will probably be a loan of 40k next year and so on. I know this is tough and I hope you can find a school that you can all be happy and comfortable seeing him attend. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thank you my-3-sons. I hate to keep posting re: this conundrum, when so many other families are going through their own count-down-to-May-1st angst! </p>

<p>You hit the nail on the head – I’ve brought up VA Tech numerous times to son – it’s cheaper, driving distance w/in 1 day, big sports team, beautiful campus. He doesn’t like that it’s not near a big city. Also, they didn’t accept him into his major (comp sci) but he can switch in soph year after he gets a 3.0. This shouldn’t be much of a problem. I like it for the compromise you mentioned!</p>

<p>Also, U of Ill – got into their comp sci prgrm (number 4 in country) plus honors college. No $$ though ($34k) and cold weather (not a plus) nor near a city (another negative).</p>

<p>My head is spinning. Son said, “I’d consider U of Ill.” Um…with 11 days to go & no visit?? But, we could probably drive there in 1 day. Not sure how much weight to give that factor.</p>

<p>Son is easygoing (within his clearly defined parameters). Not sure which way to encourage.</p>

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<p>dont know how easy it would be but…if uA is free and he likes it, why not consider going for one year and let him get a feel for the program and its reputation and what it could offer him and what he could offer that program (possibly big fish in small pond?)…if during that time he identifies a grad program perhaps he would have a feel for how that program would look upon UA . Worst case scenario… he does a year at a school he likes that doesnt cost you anything</p>

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<p>Being from NJ, I understand the bias against colleges in the south. However, while I don’t doubt that the U of AL Alumni network is huge in the south, I did find a chapter of alum in NY and NJ that has 1700 members. So, there is a networking system in place, should S decide to return to your area. Or if that’s not working out he take his first job in the south and then move up north. We’re all so mobile these days, no matter where we went to college. [Greater</a> New York Alabama Alumni Association](<a href=“http://www.uanyc.com/]Greater”>http://www.uanyc.com/)</p>

<p>We’re aiming for that balance between a sound financial choice and a great fit for our S. It sounds to me like U of AL might just be that school for S. UT is an awesome school, but it is not 40K a year awesome when you have a near free ride from another tier one school on the table, in my opinion. </p>

<p>Best of luck to your family.</p>

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<p>I’m also going to vote for Univ of Alabama. Seeing another part of the country will be a good experience for him, free is a nice price, and he can transfer after a year or 2 if job prospects don’t look so good or if he’s homesick. With money saved, he can afford a few flights home, and family can go visit him.</p>

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<p>We’re in Austin, and I think taking out loans like that to attend UT is a poor decision! UofAl if he likes it and it’s free. There are many paths… ;)</p>

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<p>Hey, if he really likes U of A, it seems like it would be a logical choice at that price.
Just a warning that it can be a bit of a culture shock for some kids. Son’s friend went there on a free ride and had a tough first year. He eventually adjusted and did just fine. He described it as having a very strong southern culture and a big greek scene. </p>

<p>With respect to Rutgers, I think it’s a fine school that very few kids in NJ appreciate. A reasonable option if he wants to stay closer to home. </p>

<p>I can’t see paying that money for Texas… </p>

<p>Your son has some really excellent choices. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Southern resident here!! And I have a son attending school in New Jersey, and while he loves his school and the campus he can’t wait to graduate and “hopefully” come home where it is much warmer and in his opinion “friendlier!” </p>

<p>We are CA transplants so it was culture shock at first for me and the kids but after a short adjustment period we can’t imagine being anywhere but here. Some of his friends are from NJ so am familiar with how some view from the immediate area view Rutgers. It is not warranted but it is what it is.</p>

<p>If it were one of my boys I would definitely be encouraging the Univ of Alabama. I truly believe students when placed outside their comfort zone is when they show the most growth, academically, socially, and emotionally. It has been true for all 5 of mine and the change has been amazing.</p>

<p>Don’t get me wrong I am also a huge fan of utilizing your local 4 year colleges and community colleges but for completely different goals and purposes. Our family has attended those as well. But as far as what choices your son has been offered, what he is looking for, and the economic climate I think the Univ of Alabama is the very best option. </p>

<p>And you and he should be extremely proud to matriculate!!! I have one at an ivy and one at an OOS public (far,far away) and honestly what my kiddo at the OOS public(also on a $$$ academic scholarship) has accomplished far surpasses what I ever dreamed of.</p>

<p>She is graduating in 3 weeks with highest honors, has done major research through their med school, has taken a language not taught at other campuses (Navajo) has made it to Nationals for her sport (and not her chosen sport), loves, loves Latin and Greek, has attended the Zuni dances, went cliff diving…the list is endless.</p>

<p>She has truly grown and changed and I believe with all my heart, the risk she took going 3000+ miles away pushed her far past her comfort zone and all the money she saved and “earned” in other capacities allowed her to really broaden her education. She also was accepted to an ivy and turned it down to pursue what she saw as a grand adventure.</p>

<p>And she has. </p>

<p>I would encourage your son to do the same. Great adventures don’t happen all the time.</p>

<p>Kat</p>

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<p>Okay, I am from NJ. I would encourage the full ride! If now that reality of distance is hitting home, Rutgers is a good choice. I don’t think that the other schools are worth more than Rutger’s instate costs. At Rutgers, there are many companies from NY and NJ who will recruit.</p>

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<p>Hey Jolynne,</p>

<p>Feel free to PM me if you have specific concerns about the NJ/Southern concerns as we relo’d from NJ to TN 6 years ago, and haven’t regretted it for a day. </p>

<p>My nephew will be at Rutgers next year; it’s a great school. I know that folks outside of Jersey always think more highly of it than people in state; I’ve even had people say to me "Isn’t Rutgers an Ivy? :). I started my graduate work there and enjoyed it. A concern for me would be the deep cuts being made throughout NJ government agencies. I’m sure tax revenues in NJ will fall even farther this year, when all those folks formerly employed in the financial sector in NYC aren’t paying taxes on their incomes any more because they lost their jobs. In comparison, UA has been pouring lots of money into new programs and facilities. And the economic downturn hasn’t hurt Southern states quite as bad as those in the Northeast. </p>

<p><<ut austin=“” is=“” the=“” 1st=“” choice,=“” but,=“” so=“” far=“” it’s=“” about=“” $38k=“” in=“” loans=“” per=“” year=“” (reduced=“” to=“” hopefully=“” 15k=“” a=“” w=“” my=“” future=“” projections=“” of=“” salary=“” allocated=“” paying=“” off=“” loans).=“”>>
Re: your future projections of salary. You may have already mentioned it in another thread, so I apologize if I’m asking you to repeat yourself. Are you already back to work? If you’re not, relying on a not yet existing job might be a little dicey in today’s economy. That is my family’s strategy also (I went back to work last May after 15 years “off.”) Right now, I am in a position that seems relatively untouched by the economy and we plan on using my income as the bulk of tuition payments. </ut></p>

<p>Right now, my DD has UofA at the top of her list too, due to the Honors program. We will be in your shoes this time next year going through the decision process. </p>

<p>I am so thankful that CC’ers are willing to share their stories so that those of us behind you can prepare outselves,
RobD</p>

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<p>Thank you all for those generous insights. I’ve been batting these schools around CC for quite awhile, so was hesitant to bring them up again (UT v U of AL) but now that we have only about 10 days left (gulp) it’s getting down to the wire. </p>

<p>I know big loans are a risk…but thinking that son did the first year at UT and for some reason it didn’t work out (I didn’t earn as much as projected, son did not get good grades to justify expense, other financial strains occurred) then he could – more easily, I think – transfer to Rutgers or even U of AL (although the near free ride likely wouldn’t still be there…tuition + room & board is about the same as Rutgers, instate).</p>

<p>Appreciate the reassurances re: culture. Hardly gave that more than a passing thought (maybe wrong?) — the people in South (AL) just seemed so friendly and pleasant (moreso than the northeast if I can say that!) and son is generally an easy-going, friendly person who would enjoy all the social opportunities (greek parties, if not greek life, I’d imagine). Austin just seemed very fun & progressive and the avalanche of positive posts I received re: Austin/UT when I posted here earlier seemed to make it out to be a great place to be (apart from the OOS tuition cost!). </p>

<p>The idea that if UT didn’t work out (financially or academically or socially) that son could somewhat easily transfer to Rutgers (he knows kids there, would be able to visit the family to ease sophmore transition) is somehow (maybe wrongly?) making UT seem more do-able.</p>

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<p>Jolynne,
You may want to look at the course descriptions of the CS courses at UT. I have read on CC that UT’s pre-CS courses are weed-out courses, designed to fail 30% to 50% of the students. I looked at the course descriptions and they mention large numbers of students fail or get Ds. Students must get a C to move forward in the degree. The classes look like they are probably large, because of the number of TAs and proctors mentioned. I don’t know how that compares to the CS courses at the other schools your son is considering, but it may be worth thinking about.</p>

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<p>You know I love UT. But here is what I think. What if UT does work out? and academically and socially, anyway, it probably will. Four years at UT? I think this has too high of a chance of yielding too much in loans. Not too much given that it is UT. Just too much in general.</p>

<p>If he were my son and he would consider Alabama, I would send him off to Alabama for FREE and see if that works out. He might LOVE Alabama. </p>

<p>Or I if he would consider it, I would go with the VT compromise.</p>

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<p>If he doesn’t love Alabama after a year, he can transfer out. Nothing lost, no money paid. If he doesn’t love UT after a year, you lose $38000, and he can transfer out - but the full-ride is no longer there!!! MHO, start at Uof Alabama.</p>

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<p>anxiousmom, very good reasoning. I would encourage Alabama.</p>

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<p>I think UA is a big risk. No reputation in CS or overall outside the state. Illinois is a top CS school and no colder than NJ really. CS firms are somewhat elitist. Most recruit only from Top 15 or so schools in CS. UT and UI are in that group. UA not so much. Transferring is a drag. I’d take another look at Illinois.</p>

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<p>There is only so much we can plan for. I would not encourage my son to make his choice based on “if it doesn’t work out.” </p>

<p>In anycase, couldn’t he transfer to one of the other Rutgers campus and then transfer to main campus?</p>

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<p>Jolynne, you know I pushed hard for Austin, but, really, looking at the financial situation, I just can’t see spending $38K/year for UT. Your ds sounds like a sociable adaptable kid who’d be happy anywhere.</p>

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<p>I would go for U of Illinois or UT.</p>