Thank you, I appreciate your thoughtful advice.
For this, I’m pretty sure the money would be used on further education because my parents have ~$100k in my 529. Definitely something for me to think about.
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To be fair, my parents aren’t going to give me the extra money if I don’t pick the more expensive option. Our conversation mostly said they’d cover my COA, and I might have to take loans beyond $50k.
I think so, I’ll have to check which courses can’t be skipped with APs, but most of the entry STEM/math as well as gen eds should be covered.
PSU outcomes aren’t really different than Ga Tech but Ga Tech shows how many aren’t getting jobs. I didn’t see that from PSU. Hopkins might place more into consulting, etc.
Ga Tech actually has a higher I want a job but can’t find one rate - than schools much lower ranked - not sure why.
Before others say - but it includes kids in grad school - it doesn’t. The salary listed is the median. This is what the percentage is showing - The Placement Rate is calculated as the percentage of respondents who are employed or self-employed, divided by the total number of respondents who are either employed, self-employed, or actively seeking employment.
Bottom line - and you can compare the #s to PSU above - there’s a lot of risk at Ga Tech based on past grads. This is the 24/25 report. My son interned and lived with two - he went back a second summer, they weren’t. Not saying it’s not a great school - it no doubt is - but nothing is sure proof if you think it’s better, etc.
And if you got need aid from JHU, what happens in two years when your parents are making more but aren’t giving you more?
There’s really only one reasonable choice here.
Most articles dealing with the advancement of AI and jobs stress that entry level jobs will decline. Wall Street firms have already embraced AI technology that allowed them to eliminate 15,000 entry level/low level jobs in IB that has resulted in a massive surge in profits.
According to a very recent article in the New York Times, Wall Street firms are using AI for restructuring to become more efficient resulting in job displacement–especially entry level jobs populated by recent college & MBA graduates.
Flexibility, financial resources that produce passive income, and ability to learn quickly are likely to be key elements of achieving success/stability in the very near future. Avoid unnecessary debt. Be willing to earn certificates/certifications rather than enrolling in years long graduate programs. Education is likely to be more valuable in the form of learning while working instead of leaving the workforce for a period of years.
Problem solving, creativity, & emotional intelligence may remain as valued qualities for employees. Critical thinking skills, communication,and resilience also should remain valuable traits. However, possibly the most important future skill is to learn not to over rely on AI; learn how to use it as an asset rather than as an answer.
In light of the above,if correct, suggests that PSU Schreyers Honors is your best option due, in large part, to the COA savings which should allow you to remain financially unburdened with the ability to invest for passive income and to invest in education for immediate advanced learning while continuing to work as the need arises.
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To update with a new conversation with my parents:
My mom REALLY, REALLY, REALLY does not want me to go to PSU. I think she sees it as a waste of opportunity + her personal feelings against it (my brother went and had a very bad experience. Which, true, but somewhat on him based on the circumstances).
I talked to her about not wanting to take loans and wanting to go to grad school and she basically said I wouldn’t have to pay anything and not to worry about it.
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Does this narrow your options to JHU versus the Georgia Institute of Technology ?
If money (COA) is not a concern and if your health concern (allergies) remains about PSU, then which of your two remaining options do you prefer.
FWIW Although I have visited many times, I have never really felt comfortable at PSU (State College) even though two long-time girlfriends & dozens of friends/acquaintances attended PSU for their undergraduate years. They all loved their time in State College.
And if you want to even theoretically be premed, I wouldn’t do GT or JHU…
Why ? (Grade deflation?)
I have many relatives (well more than a dozen) who attend or have attended Georgia Tech & a couple are medical professionals (one is a vascular surgeon).
JHU is the research powerhouse among all US universities–primarily in medical research.
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Because CS+ premed at GT, or JHU will be both pressure cookers with risk of grade deflation. JHU is actually famous for grade deflation as far as I know. GPA protection is #1 priority for premeds.
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According to a JHU website, JHU has a 99.7% acceptance rate to medical schools.
(My relative from Georgia Tech who is a vascular surgeon was a researcher & medical professor at JHU. He loved the experience.)
https://Krieger.jhu.edu/postbac/acceptance-to-medical-school/
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Unfortunately I absolutely do not want to be premed- kind of a shame considering it’s JHU
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FWIW, my D sat in on engineering classes at JHU and felt that the vibe amongst students, and between students and the professors, was very collaborative. And she sat in on classes the week before exams.
Based on your interest in BME, my vote would be for JHU.
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I think so. Honestly, I really prefer JHU as a school for pure enjoyment’s sake. I just don’t want to be broke after graduating.
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You just said money is not an issue.
At first you brought up money. Money is #1 ,#2, #3 - when you are picking a school.
There was one you can afford.
But now you’ve said - money doesn’t matter - including grad school. My parents will pay.
Which is it?
After reading this, if money isn’t an issue, I would choose JHU. Easier to explore majors (and you seem to have a lot of interests) - great name recognition nationally, in many fields and industries. Kids from all over - promotes lots of learning outside the classroom (which is different from state schools and something I personally think is important), well-resourced, etc., etc. You mentioned some musical pluses for you, too. Throw yourself into all it has to offer!
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The latter. It’s the most recent update to my circumstances after discussing with my parents today.
Both Georgia Tech & JHU are great options, but maybe not great COAs.
To be admitted to Georgia Tech CS, especially as a non-resident of Georgia, is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations.
FWIW Atlanta is a nicer city than Baltimore, but that is a secondary consideration.
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Then I misinterpreted info. Then JHU is great.
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Ok but after you said that, you said this which is why I asked the question. Just triple check you won’t personally be incurring debt.
We all want things in life that we can’t afford so often times we choose things we can. Please assure 100% your parents aren’t planning to take loans or have you take co-signed loans - because that can be a financial death sentence.
There will be many, many Ivy level kids on the PSU campus - and in Schreyer - so you wouldn’t be “lesser” as she might think.
Curious how you got $5k at PSU and a huge discount at Hopkins. I assume need aid is involved ? If so, that would cause me concern personally to triple check what they said.
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There’s no bad choice here. That said, I’d be curious where the extra money will come from? Also, add some additional money to the cost. You’ll need walking around money. Coffees, dinners and a concert aren’t cheap. Hope isn’t a strategy.
I might agree with your mother about the opportunity except we’re adding Schreyer. The few recent Schreyer students from our HS have done very well. Several PhD’s. Also, companies recruit Schreyer grads directly. It’s not a wasted opportunity. Especially when you factor in the cost.
Take a deep dive into the benefits of Schreyer. They offer grants. Study abroad should be on the table. Very few students get this type of opportunity. Take advantage of everything.
Good luck.
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