Help with my final college selection?

College Search & Lists
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<p>I’m having a difficult time choosing a college. I know that the perfect match for me is Hope College- it has everything I want in a school and offers great academics. It is the perfect size (between 3,000 and 4,000 students), has a good Psychology program (my intended major), has a dance program, has a beautiful campus, and is in a great area. However, there is one problem- the cost. Tuition is around $37,000 per year and I’ve been offered a $4,500 scholarship. It is highly unlikely that we will be offered any financial aid. However, by the end of my 4 years, I would have quite a bit of debt. I’m not yet positive of my career choice, but I think I would like to be a Child Psychologist, which will require grad school. While Hope would prepare me for grad school, I would be in a lot of debt by the time I finished my final schooling. Is it worth it?</p>

<p>My other choices are Grand Valley State University and Alma College. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. While I like the idea of a smaller school, Alma is TINY. They have about 1,400 students (only twice the size of my small high school). As far as I know, it is a decent school, though I’m not sure it is as good as Hope. Other advantages- very small class sizes, friendly atmosphere, individual attention from profs, help with internships, has a dance program, many chances to travel and study (spring term), etc. Tuition is near $40,000, but I’ve been offered $14,000 and have chances to audition and interview for additional scholarships. However, I’m just not sure if I would be happy at such a small school. Would it get boring? Is it enough of a change from High School? Also, how do Alma’s academics compare to Hope’s? </p>

<p>Grand Valley is a larger school (but not too large), but still has relatively small class sizes. Supposedly there is also a lot of individual attention from profs as well. However, I doubt it is nearly as much as Alma, simply because it is so much larger. It is also a good school, but again, not as good as Hope. However, a larger school provides a completely different atmosphere and many different opportunities. It also offers multiple opportunities for me to continue dancing, such as a minor and/or Dance Troupe. It has a beautiful campus and tuition is extremely reasonable (Around $18,000 per year and I’ve been offered $1,500 per year). By the end of my four years, I would have additional money saved for grad school, but would it prepare me as well?</p>

<p>What would you do? Also, in your opinion, which school is best? I really want to choose the right school for me and my future. Other options include Oakland University and Calvin College, though they are at the bottom of my list as of now. Any insight on the situation is much appreciated. Thank you!</p>

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<p>Hi,
To answer your question, I say it’s not worth it to attend Hope. You will enjoy college wherever you go, but you will have limitations later in life if you have a massive debt. After college, the last thing you want to do is have to pay back loans. By that time you’ll probably be paying car payments, rent, insurance, gas, etc. That plus the debt. If you went to a cheaper school, then you could continue on to grad school or get a job with no debt.
My friend goes to Grand Valley and she absolutely loves it. She’s a Psychology major and likes the program. She is very happy about her choice, it’s not too big of a school, not too small, and it’s in a very nice city. Plus, you’re not too far from Holland. They are pretty good about merit aid. Alma college is better than Hope with financial aid, but it is still pretty pricey. Oakland University is a very nice school, it’s getting better. It’s in a very nice town. It’s not too much of a college “experience” though. I think a lot of people commute. I went there during a holiday and there was absolutely no one on campus. It looked deserted. There aren’t really any stores on campus. It’s somewhat set up like a community college. Buildings surrounded by parking lots. However, they are good with scholarships. So really I think Grand Valley would be a great choice for you. Hope my opinion helps and good luck!</p>

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<p>It’s not a perfect match if you end up with too much debt which sounds like the case for Hope. Given your description of your choices and eba’s comment, Grand Valley sounds like a good choice. As for the quality of the training, is there any sort of certification process you would go through? You could look at the percentage of graduates who are certified. However, I suspect that psychology really requires grad school which probably won’t offer any scholarships. That brings back the debt problem. I would start looking seriously at Grand Valley.</p>

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<p>Thank you! I really appreciate your thoughtful answers. I think that you both are right- it does seem like Grand Valley is the best option. Does anyone know how the quality of the academics at GV and Alma compare? I really don’t want to sacrifice good academics. Also, from what I have heard, the individual attention and guidance from professors and advisers is much greater at smaller schools, including Alma. However, I have heard that Grand Valley really is a good school. </p>

<p>You are right sadlilly; I will definitely need to attend Grad School for Child Psychology. I really want to make sure that the school I choose will prepare me for that.</p>

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<p>Going into debt for college is RARELY the correct answer, especially if you expect to go on to grad school. You appear to have some good choices that do not require you to become indebted. Those sound like the best way to go.</p>

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<p>If you’re considering clinical and/or child psychology, then you really want to check into the internship opportunities and get a feel for what quality graduate programs students from those colleges are getting into (in the respective field, of course). You can find this information by chatting with some current/former students (find them through Facebook [it would be random, I know, but some would be happy to respond if you ask politely and thoughtfully], some schools have student blogs, or even ask the chair of the psychology department if you have a chance to meet with them or e-mail them before making your final decision). </p>

<p>Unless you’re considering a PhD (research-oriented degree, less practice-based), you want to keep your undergraduate debt as low as possible because graduate school is often more expensive than undergrad programs. You would also have to factor in cost of living (since grad students don’t often live in dorms unless the school really has that many residential buildings, and I have seen this). </p>

<p>Undergrad is really what you make it. I was a psych major and I went out of my way to find research opportunities because I was interested in academia - if you really want to be a child psychologist, you shouldn’t expect the school to just hand you great internships. You’ll need to find them at least partly on your own (your school may already have agreements with certain agencies, which you should look into as I suggested above). But don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and look for even better opportunities. Of course, your grades will matter as well, and I’m sure you’ll do fine at whichever school you choose.</p>

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<p>I can’t tell you how many kids I’ve met who, after graduation, regretted the choice of the expensive college that landed them into debt. Debt will limit your post-college life and be the driving force in the decisions you have to make. Don’t do this to yourself.</p>

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<p>Thank you everyone. It definitely sounds like I need to avoid debt if possible, so Grand Valley seems like the way to go. I’m considering applying for their Honors College; do you think that this would be worth it? </p>

<p>Thanks NovaLynnx, I am going to look into the opportunities that previous psychology students have had at Grand Valley. I began researching a bit yesterday and it appears as though there are many great internship opportunities in the area, many even dealing with Child Psychology.</p>

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<p>To get into a funded PhD program in psychology, you’ll need to have exposure to meaningful psych research during college. See what these colleges offer.</p>

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<p>Definitely apply to the honors program. That can be a big help in advising and getting recommendations and internships.</p>

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<p>Yes to the honors program! Besides what sadilly says, the honors program will place you among the top students in the school - that’s a nice peer group. It looks good on a resume, and special honors classes may give you closer contact with faculty… and in school as in life, connections matter :)</p>