Is going straight to a 4-year university worth it??

Question

despite the hefty cost?? If I do go straight to a 4-year university I will suffer a large debt due to student loans, which are anticipated.

Answer 1

What do you want from the experience?

Taking on debt is a responsibility. If you were going to spend all that money on a car you would probably have a plan to pay the money back. You should think carefully about how you plan to pay your loans back. Do you want to study nursing or get an engineering degree and then go into the work force? If so the loans aren't such a problem.

Maybe you want to learn about things, read some good books, write some papers, discuss interesting things with interesting people. Maybe you aren't really sure what sort of job you want after school, or even what degree you would like most. If that is the case, taking out debt might not be the best idea right now.

This doesn't have to be an all or nothing situation though. You can give yourself permission to apply and attend a school for a semester to get settled, then stop taking classes, but stay in that city or town and keep your finances in order. Perhaps you can take classes half time and work part time.

The college experience is terrific and you shouldn't rush through or feel the anxiety that you are financially burdening yourself. You will benefit from the social aspects of being around people your age.

Whatever you do, make the decision that fits your situation without stressing your abilities to cope or to stay out of debt.

Answer 2

I went to a 2-year community college first, then transferred to a 4-year university. I was able to get work study, which paid for the first 2 years. I kept my grades up and got a scholarship to cover most of my university expenses for the last 2. I graduated debt free. I went on to complete a graduate degree, and now I'm doing a second.

In addition to saving money, starting off at a community college has other advantages. Classes are smaller and teachers are there to teach (as opposed to do research). This means that you can get help when and if you need it.

Take out student loans (subsidized only) if you really need them, but look for other ways first. There are tons of ways to get money for college: work study, federal/state financial aid, private scholarships.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Personally I don't think so. While in some cases it may be an open door (if you got a direct scholarship from a 4 year for instance), generally I think it's wiser to start at a 2 year and complete your core classes that you'll have to take no matter WHERE you end up going. If you're going out of state for college, you may end up having to retake some classes, but the majority will be able to transfer with you from a well-known community/junior college. It's cheaper and it's easier to adjust to college level work from high school. Rather than cramming you into a lecture hall with a few hundred students you may actually start out with smaller classes and a more personalized approach from professors. It varies where you go of course, but you very well may get a stronger foundation and a thicker wallet from starting out basic.

Answer 4

Yes. The life experience is worth every penny. Most people who go to 2 year colleges don't finish in 2 years. If you are worried about $$, fill out financial aid, work study and student worker applications. You can do it if you want to.

Answer 5

Indeed yes! Get your skewling done soon, and get to univ...and then earn the much wanted $$...too mucha skewling is really boring