Saint Louis University or University of Missouri?

xxxxxx3 · 03-10-2010, 07:33 PM

I'm having the hardest time deciding between SLU and Mizzou. I've compared and contrasted both of them, but still can't choose. I'm going to be double majoring in social work and psychology. Saint Louis is better academically, but Mizzou is better socially for what I'm looking for. I've visited both campuses, and loved both, but I can't choose!

midmo · 03-10-2010, 07:42 PM

Here are a few questions you may wish to ponder:

1. How do the finances compare? Does one choice leave you with loans upon graduation? Jobs in your intended field may not pay extremely well at first.

2. How much better is SLU academically in your fields? (Are you even sure it is true that psychology is better?) How much better is MU socially? Are the scales really balanced?

3. How much easier will it be to get relevant internships in social work in St. Louis if you go to SLU? It seems to me the connections might be better.

4. Columbia is a very nice college town. SLU's campus life is improving, I'm told. Even when it wasn't great, many students loved the school anyway because they appreciated what St. Louis had to offer.

5. Does one choice involve living at home and the other on campus? If so, is that a big deal for you?

6. What do your parents think?

xxxxxx3 · 03-10-2010, 07:52 PM

These are all things that I have considered but none of them outweigh the other.
1. Mizzou is significantly cheaper, and I would be able to attend there without paying off student loans. For SLU, I'd have to take out loans, or have my parents pay for all 4 years at once, which would mean I couldn't transfer if I didn't like it.
2.) SLU is definitely better in psychology and in both fields in general.. but Mizzou has a big greek system which I've wanted for a long time.
3.) It's really easy to get internships living somewhere like St. Louis, especially in a business like Social Work and psychology.
4.) ---
5.) I'd live on campus either way.
6.) My parents don't have really much of an opinion that would significantly change my choice

midmo · 03-10-2010, 08:05 PM

I think the idea of significant student loans is something you need to think about. If you were majoring in a field that paid well right off the bat, and that was in great demand in the current economy, then a moderate loan load might be worth it. However, I know young people who are now starting out in social work fields, and their pay is not very good, and there is not a lot of choice about jobs. I think taking on debt could be risky.

Have you spoken with anyone at MU about internship availability in your fields?

It's too bad there is a big financial difference. As the parent of a couple of college kids, I like to keep academics front and center. If there weren't any loans involved, I'd probably say SLU might serve your purposes better, but I'm wary of undergraduate loans. Having to pay those back might make a big difference as to when--or if--you can go on for a master's degree or other further training.

mom2collegekids · 03-10-2010, 08:30 PM

For SLU, I'd have to take out loans, or have my parents pay for all 4 years at once, which would mean I couldn't transfer if I didn't like it.

what does that mean??????

country day · 03-10-2010, 08:35 PM

To be honest I'd go with Mizzou. It's much cheaper, and I don't think SLU is going to be that much better of an education. It also sounds like you would fit in better at Mizzou.