Hi guys my name is Adam idk never thought I’d do this but I need help deciding on a college. Out of state and in the honors program for both.
Option 1: Wisconsin. I really liked this school, but I just learned I will have roughly 18k in loans to pay back once I graduate. They are federally subsidized and the calculator said it would be about $190/month in payments for 10 years, assuming I don’t work a job while in college, which I probably will for at least some time.
Option 2: Pitt. Pitt was ok, but I am less excited about it. I will have no loans upon graduating.
Is the quality/ name/ better vibes of Wisconsin worth going into student loan debt???
Please help I have to decide by Friday!!!
18k in student loans isn’t a deal breaker unless you wind up working in a low paying field or head to a grad program that is unfunded. What do you want to study?
Honors: what do you hope to get from Honors program, what are your priorities? UW Honors is an “a la carte” model – there are no Honors dorms or other structures which create a “separate” Honors experience. It is designated an Honors program, and not an Honors College, intentionally. That being said, my kid did Honors and completed the depth and breadth requirements to graduate with “Honors in the Liberal Arts.” He found UW’s Honors program worked for him – he could take the Honors courses he wanted, especially Honors discussion sections with incredible faculty and develop close relationships with them, but he didn’t feel like there was a forced “togetherness.” And since Honors was mixed in with everyone, in the dorms, dining halls, he didn’t feel like he had a giant “H” on his forehead. On the other hand, if someone wants that special Honors college program, I’ve heard great things about Pitt and that could be a real distinguishing feature, with Honors dorms and other special programs and opportunities.
Money: $18k as the total loans over 4 years is generally considered do-able and a reasonable amount. The related question is whether your parents also have to take loans to cover costs and whether that is advisable. But, if you are saying that the only loans will be your own subsidized loans, then $18k total for a UW degree is a bargain and, if that is the only difference between your Pitt costs and UW costs, seems a reasonable loan burden for the school you prefer. Again, if your parents have to take loans out to make UW happen but not Pitt, that would push me to the Pitt side of the equation.
I’m usually one against taking out lots of debt, especially for undergraduate. But $18K isn’t much.
I love Wisconsin and know a ton of people who graduated. Every single one of them absolutely loves their school. Madison is a special place with the lake, campus, state capital, etc. Few schools have as devoted an alumni base as Wisconsin.
Have you made your decision @airpoduser128 ? I am from Pittsburgh, I went to Pitt, I currently have a daughter who just finished her sophomore year there. She is in the Honors College as well. Also, my son is transferring to Pitt from OSU starting this fall!
I think the 2 schools are pretty different with some overlap. Are your parents taking out Parent Plus loans or private loans for you to cover the difference? That is a good point that has already been made. That’s a big deal.
My D and S are both studying Neuroscience. My D has been accepted to the Physician Assistant program already on a Freshman Guarantee. If you are studying anything pre-health, Pitt is AMAZING. Tons of specialty hospitals literally surround the campus. Research opportunities galore. It’s urban, in a city neighborhood (Oakland) of Pittsburgh. It’s a block from the Carnegie Art Museum and Museum of Natural History, Phipps Conservatory, and many niche hip/ethnic neighborhoods. Have you visited?
Wisconsin is Big 10, and my son completed 6 semesters at Ohio State (O-H!). LOVE the Big 10 Schools. Love. I have not visited Wisconsin, but have heard it’s beautiful.
I don’t know what you are studying, I don’t know the loan factor for you. But if you love Wisconsin, and it’s only going to cost you $18,000 in debt, go for it. Pitt is wonderful and truly a world-class institution. If you have Pitt questions, I’d be happy to answer if you PM me.
Best of luck, and please post your decision! H2P!!