College dilemma

[lightsout]

OK, so this is very basic, but I wanted your guys opinions on this as well.

I graduated high school in 2008. I spent my first year at a D-III school playing football. I then took the 2009 year off from school after I tore a shoulder the previous year playing ball at school and because I hated the school. I went back to school last fall here at Mars Hill, and very little transferred. My first year of college, I screwed around and ended up with a 2.08 GPA, leaving me unable to enroll in any public school. I should have went to a public school enrolled as a freshmen and said to hell with the credits, but I wasn't thinking because I was hell-bent on having credits transfer at the time. Now, I figured it up, and when I graduate I will be somewhere between $60-$80,000 in debt from loans. I get financial aid, but private schools are hell, so it only covers about half.

I went to Western Carolina tonight because my school played them. Love the campus. Have friends that go/have went there and they love it. And it will only cost $7,000; so, after financial aid, I won't need any loans and I will actually probably get back some money.

As it stands, if I stay where I am at, I am slated to graduate either Christmas 2013 or spring 2014. Again, tons of debt and a year and a half to two years past my original college graduation date of spring 2012. Do I transfer purely for financial reasons, regardless of whether or not credits transfer or do I stay put and just deal with the debt later? I am in a bit of a conundrum. What would you do in my situation?

[Jackofalltrades]

"shoud have went"

Is that college level English?

I'd transfer to dodge quite a bit of debt, especially now that you've seen the campus, have done some research and seem to think it'd be a good fit.

[lightsout]

"shoud have went"

Is that college level English?

I'd transfer to dodge quite a bit of debt, especially now that you've seen the campus, have done some research and seem to think it'd be a good fit.

I started drinking at 4. Don't judge my English skills right now. I think it was a solid post, given the circumstances. "Should have gone", "should have went". Tomatoes, grapes. Same thing.

My ONLY concern is being in school forever. But, I figure being in school forever is better than being in debt until I die.

[Jackofalltrades]

Being in school is also a Hell of a lot better than being in the real world, aka The Workforce.

You have more than one reason to look back with regret if you don't do it, IMO.

[Jeff L]

You have to do what makes you happy man... Sounds like you liked the campus and it is cheaper to go to Western. Get your degree whoever your young; I was 40, married, with three kids when I completed my first degree.

[Mayor Qumiby]

I went to Western Carolina tonight because my school played them. Love the campus. Have friends that go/have went there and they love it. And it will only cost $7,000; so, after financial aid, I won't need any loans and I will actually probably get back some money.

Dude, you have the answer right here, I dunno why your asking the Huddle for reassurance ..you know the answer bro go with your gut.

And post pics of hot, barely dressed catamount chicks!!!

[lightsout]

Dude, you have the answer right here, I dunno why your asking the Huddle for reassurance ..you know the answer bro go with your gut.

And post pics of hot, barely dressed catamount chicks!!!

That last part...totally true. I can see why Brad Hoover went there.

[chef17]

First thing you should do would be to see if the credits transfer, because they could and then this isn't even a question.

[jasonluckydog]

2012 will be here soon....soon........soooooooon.

I just freaked myself out again

[ladypanther]

WCU is a good school. I love Cullowhee. What is your major? Is WCU a good fit for that?

Piling up that amount of debt if you do not have too does not make sense.

Whatever you do....hope you are now serious about your studies.

[Niner National]

If you can go to school and come out with little to no debt, that is the way I'd go.

Coming out of school with a lot of debt is a HUGE burden that is landing a lot of graduates in financial troubles.

My girlfriend has only 20k in debt, but her monthly payments are about $300. She makes decent money, but after taxes, car insurance, rent, student loans, and other living expenses, she's coming out income neutral just about every month.

If high paying jobs for new grads were still plentiful, then I'd just take the debt, finish up, and start making money. IF you get a job straight out of school, it will probably be for less than those who got their first jobs 5 years ago.

Remember, if you fall on hard times, bankruptcy will not get rid of student loan debt. It is the only type of debt that you can never lose until you pay it off.

[lightsout]

WCU is a good school. I love Cullowhee. What is your major? Is WCU a good fit for that?

Piling up that amount of debt if you do not have too does not make sense.

Whatever you do....hope you are now serious about your studies.

Physical education is my major. With the restructuring at the school lately, it is now in the college of sciences there, which is supposedly easier to get in to than the college of education.

[ladypanther]

Physical education is my major. With the restructuring at the school lately, it is now in the college of sciences there, which is supposedly easier to get in to than the college of education.

What does the job market look like for your major? Still does not seem like it makes sense to have a lot of debt. If you are willing to work at it you can graduate a little earlier than you think. Even if it takes you 2 years more, consider the difference in tuition as income.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I would love to move back to Cullowhee. That area feels like home.

[lightsout]

What does the job market look like for your major? Still does not seem like it makes sense to have a lot of debt. If you are willing to work at it you can graduate a little earlier than you think. Even if it takes you 2 years more, consider the difference in tuition as income.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I would love to move back to Cullowhee. That area feels like home.

It's not great, but at the same time, jobs are out there. I have connections in a few school systems (I am talking people on school boards, not just teachers/principals), so I think finding a job won't be TOO hard.

Taking the difference in tuition as income is a good way of looking at it. I mean, 4 years in Cullowhee is equivalent to almost 1 year year here at Mars Hill. So, it is definitely huge.