College dilemma

[KSpan]

Student loan debt is absolutely worth avoiding, especially for a physical education degree (no offense). Go to WCU and enjoy your time there. Besides, just because you're still "in school" doesn't mean you can't be networking and doing things that parallel your degree.

[OneBadassCat]

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?

Go to WCU or another public university. The loans required for private school are absolutely ridiculous. You will end up becoming a slave to your own debt. Western is a cool school I have a few friends that go there.

Don't go to a private school just because you find it prestigious or anything like that. Totally not worth it. Western is a big party school as well so you'll need to watch for that as well. How many hours do you have towards your major?

Most of all don't be too hard on yourself. I'm on scholarship till the end of this year but with my major I'll probably need another degree so I'll probably go back taking on a loan as well. But I would only need it for 2 years maybe.

[lightsout]

Go to WCU or another public university. The loans required for private school are absolutely ridiculous. You will end up becoming a slave to your own debt. Western is a cool school I have a few friends that go there.

Don't go to a private school just because you find it prestigious or anything like that. Totally not worth it. Western is a big party school as well so you'll need to watch for that as well. How many hours do you have towards your major?

Not sure on the exact number, but I am a junior by hours. Half my course-load this semester is junior level classes. I definitely need to get up there next semester though, because all my classes here next semester are predicated on me being accepted into the education program here, which would be pointless since I am transferring. I almost have my mind made up to say to hell with it, send my transcript, beg them to take as much as possible, and be done with it and up there in January.

[OneBadassCat]

Well if you go I may end up running into you. I have a good buddy that lives there and I go to see him occasionally(I'm at UNCC). You'll enjoy the atmosphere up there. I considered transferring but I had the feeling I would get tired of not being near anything and some of the dorms lack air conditioning.

But the good thing is that you are still very young. Enjoy yourself. I have many friends that are getting into their 20's now and not doing jack since highschool.

[lightsout]

Well if you go I may end up running into you. I have a good buddy that lives there and I go to see him occasionally(I'm at UNCC). You'll enjoy the atmosphere up there. I considered transferring but I had the feeling I would get tired of not being near anything and some of the dorms lack air conditioning.

But the good thing is that you are still very young. Enjoy yourself. I have many friends that are getting into their 20's now and not doing jack since highschool.

That would be cool. The no A/C thing isn't a huge deal, as we don't have it in the dorms here at Mars Hill either (except the nice, new apartments they built 5 years ago). I have a box fan, all I need. :cool:

And as far as not being near anything, only about 30 minutes from Asheville, so I can still frequent the same bars.

[ladypanther]

That would be cool. The no A/C thing isn't a huge deal, as we don't have it in the dorms here at Mars Hill either (except the nice, new apartments they built 5 years ago). I have a box fan, all I need. :cool:

And as far as not being near anything, only about 30 minutes from Asheville, so I can still frequent the same bars.

1 hr from Asheville I think.

[lightsout]

1 hr from Asheville I think.

30 if I'm driving ;)

At least, that was the case last night. Hit Asheville in about 30-40, Mars Hill in about an hour.

[lymelizzard]

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?

GO WCU also if your living in Jackson County utilize South Western Community College for some General ED classes much less $$ and they transfer with no problems.

[pantherfan49]

FACT:You should only run up 60-80k in debt if you are going to be looking at a 6 figure or near 6 figure job upon graduation.

[pantherfan49]

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.

Tensor is a smart man.

I graduated with 105k in student loans. I make very good money, but I have been aggressively paying down the student loans and that is wiping out most of my disposable income. Student loans are a biiaaattcccchhh!!

Plus those student loans will absolutely fug you when you go try and get a mortgage (at today's low interest rates) as they absolutely ruin your financing ratios.

[lightsout]

FACT:You should only run up 60-80k in debt if you are going to be looking at a 6 figure or near 6 figure job upon graduation.

I mean, I could move to Alabama, coach football and teach down there, get paid better...but it IS Alabama...