<p>I want people’s opinions on the two. I have made the following pro/con list of my own… feel free to add to it, or just to add your own comments.</p>
<p>I’m trying to make up my mind by Sunday so that if I DO want to dorm at Binghamton, the form goes online on April 15th. And I don’t want to spend all this money to dorm if I can’t even get the dorm I want…</p>
<p>I would really appreciate any input any of you intelligent individuals have. =)</p>
<p>Stony Brook</p>
<p>PROS
Easy to get home
Long Island pizza & bagels
Known for research advances nationally, if not internationally
Very affordable
Has a medical school*
Accepted into University Scholars Program
Ability to save money for medical school
Continue Friendlys job
Research = HUGE!
More time to focus on studies, since social life would take a back seat.</p>
<p>CONS
Feel like Im going to work = commuting.
Need a functioning car for ALL FOUR YEARS.
Additionally, gas money = $$$
Dreary campus.
Too many Northport-ers/too familiar.
HUGE lecture halls = HUGE classes.
Bigger than Binghamton
Will never have THE college experience.
Lack of school unity half a commuter school.
Those that commute, originally plan to do so, in my opinion.
Going to the same school for Med. School as undergraduate isnt necessarily good. Fierce competition with others Stony Brook undergraduate graduates.</p>
<p>Binghamton</p>
<p>PROS
Undergraduate focus
HUGE Jewish life
Independence
Pretty campus
Get away from parents, but a decent distance away.
RA = leadership role.
Has a nursing school backup in case MD isnt my plan anymore.
Reasonable transportation to and from school. (i.e. Bus, friend, parents)
Really smart student body more selective.
BIG study abroad program.
Smaller lecture halls (approx. 400) = smaller classes in general.
Wouldnt need a car (maybe in sophomore year, but not a requirement)
Already foresee myself there/feel at home.
Change in scenery/setting.
IVY of the SUNYs reputation.</p>
<p>CONS
Up to $40,000+ in debt (if current financial situation persists, without being an RA)
Known primarily in the Northeast (?)
Rural-ish area* (Though this does NOT have to be a bad thing)
Weather = mostly rainy and cold. Could be depressing.
Would require moving assistance to get stuff to dorm.</p>
<p>NOTE: The difference in price is because I plan to commute to Stony Brook, hence saving room & board money. And I have been awarded enough money there that I would pay a few grand a year, and graduate practically debt free. However, I would not have the college experience.</p>
<p>Now, parents, is it worth it to go away and learn to be independent? Or should I “suck it up” and tolerate the school that I really didn’t want to go to?</p>
<p>Also, you will ikely be earning $$$ during the summer, which will go to pay part of the $40K in R&B at Binghamton. so your debt at the end of four years might be “only” $25K.</p>
<p>That said, if you are serious about going to medical school after college, it’s important to factor in those costs as well. Adding debt on top of more debt is not a good way to begin your life.</p>
<p>It’s not an easy choice.</p>
<p>Talk to people who have commuted to Stony Brook and learn how they’ve done it. Maybe there’s more college life available than you think.</p>
<p>Two quick thoughts: you’ve mentioned $40,000 debt for Binghamton but haven’t put a dollar figure on the cost of buying and maintaining a car (a SB cost).</p>
<p>A co-worker just told me she regretted never going away to college when she was young. A friend’s oldest daughter lived at home and commuted, and made the same statement when it was time for the younger sister to look at colleges. It occurs to me that I’ve never heard anyone say “I should have stayed home and gone to the local college.” Occasionally a parent will say that of a child who goes off and returns when things don’t work out, but even then, I would count that as a learning experience. </p>
<p>Another possibility you haven’t mentioned is doing a year or two at SB and then transferring to Binghamton, but it might not be the best thing to go into a situation feeling it’s temporary and there’s a lot to be said for starting with your classmates at the same time and going through the 4 years together.</p>
<p>You seem to really want to go away to school. Since you are so interested in research, perhaps you will find paying research opportunities at Binghampton. Maybe you could even look into those opportunities before April 15…</p>
<p>Are there any members of your family who have strong feelings towards one school versus the other (the nice way of asking in your parents are pressuring you to take the better financial option…if they prefer you stay at home or if they’re encouraging you to go away?)</p>
<p>mominva - The point of going to SB would be to commute all four years in order to save money on r&b…</p>
<p>lefthanddog - I agree with your input a lot, and it puts a perspective on thinsg. I just don’t want to regret staying home. Though, if I do go away, sure I will have loans to pay off, but I think I’ll know that it was MY decision… so to me, I think it would be money well spent…</p>
<p>VeryHappy - Those I know that are currently commuting to SB planned on commuting from the start. I, on the other hand, originally planned my college experience to be the going away sort. And I agree that loans on top of loans aren’t good… but I’m willing to work for the money during the summer, or find scholarships (I’ve been applying to lots of them), or get an awesome internship. </p>
<p>I appreciate any input, and the input you have contributed…</p>
<p>Definitely live in a dorm for at least your freshman year. You can’t replace that experience. Do not think of nursing as a substitute for being a physician- the two fields are both health care but radically different in their approaches, different personalities do best in each. A change in scenery is good. You can always find a new job to replace your current one and to substitute for an RA job. At worst you can transfer home later if finances dictate or you want the academics at the hometown school. You will do better if you are motivated to study, you need a social life no matter where you live, if you remain goal oriented you will not let your academics slip in favor of socializing too much. Go to the school you want to go to and have no regrets later. As a physician I wish I had spent more when funds were tight, I did live on campus instead of commuting, I know what you would be missing. PS- don’t let the dorm you get be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Your pros and cons seems well thought out. When I went to Binghamton, decades ago, everyone hated it. Dorm and campus life were extremely dull and the “city” had no attractions for a student. Maybe that has all changed, but I would access those factors…very carefully. You may find that you have a more satisfactory social life living at home.</p>
<p>wis75 - It’s funny that you mention the nursing/physician thing. My mother told me she can’t see me being a nurse. Though she can see me being a doctor. And I agree. It’s the whole… being ordered around thing that I don’t think I could deal with. I like being the one in charge.</p>