<p>So... I'm at a loss here. I'm a senior in high school and I've always known what I wanted to do with my life. I never doubted it. Now, nothing seems sure anymore. It's like there's to many options, and to many different people giving me advice. I don't know who to listen to, and now, I'm so confused on what's good advice anymore. </p>
<p>My neighbor, whose a washed out middle-aged man with not much to show for his life, and living with his girlfriend who provides for them, keeps telling me that it's worth it to spend more money on your education. (My parents aren't paying for anything concerning my college tuition and such, and the occupation I'm interested in does NOT pay much more than pennies, if that.) He keeps trying to tell me that it's ok to go into debt a little bit. He says "you get all A's. You'll get tons of scholarships. Go into debt a lil bit, but get the education you deserve. Don't be like me and have nothing to show for your life at 30 cause you didn't make the right decisions". </p>
<p>My question is what's the right decision?? My parents are very stubborn on the idea that I should not go into debt at ALL. No matter what. They want me to attend the community college and then a state college using the states scholarship program that I qualify for. Well, that's all fine, but those colleges don't teach the curriculum I need. The private school that I've wanted to go to all my life has what I need, but it's also quite a bit more expensive. </p>
<p>Please help! Even my eye doctor is giving me advice! I don't know who to listen to and who to just smile and thank for their concern. My head is spinning trying to come up with answers. I figure if y'all know something, maybe some more opinions wouldn't hurt. :) thank y'all for taking the time to help!!</p>
<p>Could you appease your parents by attending the community college for 2 yrs and then transfer to the private university? You could talk to the private university first to see if they can help give you guidance on what courses to take for general eds. If that is not possible is there any other colleges in your state that offer this program? I was in the opposite position of you. My parents, specifically, my mother would not let me attend a 2 yr college first for general eds, but I seriously wanted to do. I listened to her and attend a 4 yr a few hrs away, and transferred after my 1st semester to local 4 yr. I am now second guessing my decision again, because I would like to do OT school but my university has seen an increase in applicants and I need to retake 2 courses and get an A in both because the admitted gpa is about a 3.3 so its either that or just hope I can get admitted after I obtain my BS degree.</p>
<p>Honestly having a small amount of debt is not that bad in my opinion. It makes me nervous, but I will probably have more debt then you if you have a pretty nice scholarship. What exactly is a small amount to you? If you are able to define it to an amount you are comfortable with, and are in a position to do that then I would go ahead.</p>
<p>I think that students are under-prepared to handle the idea of what debt actually means.</p>
<p>I know that I’ve only taken on $3500 so far (after freshman year) in subsidized loans and when I took it out, I didn’t really think much about it. It’s “not that much”. But debt is debt. There’s a reason that your parents don’t want you going into debt. It scares me to think that I’ve already taken out $3500 and I’m likely to take out even more this year… and in the following years. I mean. I sit down and think about it. And it wasn’t until after I was in college that it really hit me. I might not be able to pay this back. That really is a lot of money.</p>
<p>What exactly is it that you wish to study? It’s strange that a private university offers what you want but a public state school (which usually offer many more courses/majors/areas of study than small LAC’s) doesn’t.</p>
<p>My goal is to be a missionary. So… that means I won’t really have any kind of an income. I want to go to Liberty University in Virginia, but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen due to expenses and such. State universities obviously don’t offer courses on religion and such that I want. And as to taking my neighbors advice, he makes a good point. He’s trying to make sure I don’t make the same mistakes he did and end up without a good education and in a career he hates. That’s why I’m so confused.</p>
<p>really i thought liberty offered a lot of scholarship? i know a girl that went there and she likes it. there are universities that offer courses in religion, although most of the ones with renowned religion departments are private prestigious colleges, or for the grad level you could go to seminary school for grad or get your masters in divinity. also, if you go church telling the pastors and elders of your desire to be a missionary can be helpful.</p>
And as to taking my neighbors advice, he makes a good point. He’s trying to make sure I don’t make the same mistakes he did and end up without a good education and in a career he hates. That’s why I’m so confused.</p>