Well, I'm a high school senior and I'm having a hard time determining which university I should attend. I'm really considering University of Toledo (OH), which is only a few hours from where I live. However, it is primarily a commuter campus, and I'm not sure if future employers would consider it prestigious enough. The other university is SIUe (IL) which is about 9 hours away (out of state). So, my question is which of these two colleges do you think is more recognized? Also, do you recommend that I go in-state (Toledo) and graduate probably debt-free with an "okay" degree; or out-of-state (SIUe), graduating with student loans, but having experienced a different place?
2007-10-21 10:55:36 · 4 answers · asked by Thinking 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
--Edit--
I know I must eventually make the decision for myself, but any advice would help.
2007-10-21 10:57:44 · update #1
95% of employers are not going to care where you got your education. Unless you manage to graduate in the top percentile of your graduating class the school's name is almost meaningless so long as it is accredited.
Getting close to a 4.0 at a 'less prestigious' school is better than skating through with a 3.0 in a more well known one. The 4.0 is something you can brag about on or in a resume and makes you stand out over others with a lower GPA if you don't have work experience.
My recommendation is to not go into unnecessary debt just for a 'name', now if the expensive school has a better program or more classes you want to take for your major etc it might be worth it.
You can also just go to the closer school and transfer your junior or senior year, check with the second school to find out when you need to do so. Many schools have a requirement that you take x credits with them to get a degree from them, so you cannot take one or two classes there and get a degree from them. That way you can save money and still get a degree from SIUe if that is what you want.
2007-10-21 11:04:23 · answer #1 · answered by John96 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the choice was something like Toledo versus University of Illinois -- then the choice would be clear -- go out of state.
With Southern Illinois, the choice is a little more tough. While Southern Illinois is ranked a little higher than Toledo -- I'm not convinced that the difference in education alone is enough to justify paying out-of-state rates. The quality of your classmates in the two schools will be similar.
The one thing where SUI may be better is the fact that your life on campus may be better -- because it is not a commuter school.
Since the level of education is similar -- you need to make the choice based on whether cost or quality of life is more important for you.
Good luck
2007-10-21 11:21:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what SIUe (IL) stands for but I never heard of the University of Toledo. I would have thought it was in Spain if you hadn't said it's in Ohio.
You should go to a university that people have heard of. Not necessarily an Ivy League one, though that would help lol
2007-10-21 11:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by 2kool4u 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have never heard of either college. But if you plan on going on to grad school, have you checked to see if either college had the accreditation that a grad school would accept. If I could personally do college all over again, I would have went somewhere closer and saved a lot of money. The student loans payments are a killer.
2007-10-21 11:06:38 · answer #4 · answered by thaplatinumchic 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋