Yes! I was just typing that to @twoinanddone who also brought up transferring. I think we need to be a little more proactive about what we CAN give him if he goes to Nebraska and that he does have the option to transfer if need be. And yes, no merit aid to be found at PSU. Great thoughts.
1 Like
Yes to all of this. We went in so confident until he discovered these golf programs and all of a sudden Penn State is in our lives. I think we can help him reconcile these two things - as @coffeeat3 mentioned, both golf management programs might be off the table for different reasons, so we can help him explore how he can reach a similar goal through an alternative path at an in state university.
last thought - sounds like academic support is key for your son. Have you able to get a good handle on what each school offers - i tend to think of it being harder at the large schools - but could be wrong. You know him best and what environment does he need to succeed?
Sorry if I missed this-has he applied to Ohio Stateās Professional Golf Management Program?
You hit the nail on the head - academic support is a must for him which is why we have these irrational thoughts about PSU because the program itself has such great wrap around supports. So does Nebraska. What we know about him is that if heās not in an environment that he likes and makes him feel āmainstreamā, he will totally shut down. Heās great on the social emotional front, so he could handle a large campus from an independence standpoint, but the academics and balance are making me lose sleep. Wherever he ends up, we are going to submit documentation for accommodations and have him initiate a formal relationship with whatever academic support center the school offers. He got into University of Arizona and they have the SALT Center but same problem with price - basically the same as PSU.
1 Like
This was our heartbreakā¦ he did apply and was not admitted to main campus. He even went and met with the program directors. They were honest with him that they struggle to grow their program because OSU is so hard to get into. So they grow their program mainly through transfer students. Sorry I didnāt mention that - not many people realize OSU has one because itās outside of the PGA network and just kind of like their own little rogue program. Iāll take rogue for in state tuition! This discussion has me thinking about suggesting he do first year at Nebraska then transfer into the PGM program at Ohio State. I wish OSU wasnāt so crazy competitive!
He may go to Nebraska, really like it, and then not want to transfer. What would you do then? You say he did not get into the main campus of Ohio State. Did he get into another of their campuses and could he transfer from there? Does Ohio State have any guaranteed community college to Ohio State transfer program?
1 Like
If he ends up loving Nebraska and not wanting to transfer, that would be ok with us. The merit aid he got from Nebraska makes it close to in state options. He was accepted to a regional campus of OSU but he really wants to be on a main campus for his first year of college. Since he is hesitant about how far away Nebraska is, the transfer option could be a good plan b to give him some comfort making the decisionā¦ then like you said, I bet the odds are high he will love it!
2 Likes
For your next, set a budget up front. Youāll have two at once. It takes the emotion out of it.
If it doesnāt achieve the cost, it canāt be considered.
I think the parents need a sit-down WITHOUT your son before you go further with these conversations.
Iāve seen scenarios where one parent thinks āWe can totally do this with a little creativity and sacrificeā and is assuming no dinners out and modest staycations for the next few years-- totally doable. And the other parent thinks āWe can totally do this if we sell the house and downsize to an apartment, stop going to the dentist for four years, and sell one of the cars and take three buses to get to work in the morningā.
Make sure Penn State is even stretchable BEFORE you go another round with your son. None of us know your budget, but we all know people whose marriages and family lives have frayed over āsacrificesā when one person didnāt fully understand the extent of the sacrifices upfront.
You canāt force him to go to Nebraska, he canāt force you to pay for Penn State if you canāt really afford it. Which means itās time to revisit some of his other options which is perfectly fine. I cannot imagine the specialized degree being more valuable than a solid, all around sports management track which is going to give him a LOT more flexibility down the road.
14 Likes
I think what I am hearing is that YOU donāt have a problem with either but your son prefers Penn State and you ideally want to choose the college your son wants. I have a similar issue in a few respects- he wants a college that is closer to us but I am just not sure it would be a great fit for him, too big, I think he will be lost. I pointed out that flights to school were less time than driving, which helped. Iāve been kind of rallying around the other schools pointing out great things they have (weather, program prestige, anything that I think is helpful for him to know). There are a few that without possible scholarships we applied for, just canāt happen (unless I want to live with loans for the rest of my life, because they would be beyond what he could pay after graduating). I have kind of been like, yes that is a great school, so lets see what scholarships we can apply to if you want to make that happen and in the meantime at least you have these other schools. But like you, I donāt want to force it one way or the other- I wonāt take on the crazy loans but if he chose the one closer to home, which would leave us with some loans, we would deal. (grrrr, but we would deal).
1 Like
I donāt ever think you go into anything with the idea of transferring.
One thing I would worry about for a specialized degree - the future of the industry. Most donāt rate golf as a growing or even sustaining industry.
If he picks Nebraska - I think itās great. No reason not to love.
Ms State, depending on stats, could cost much less. Itās still a big school (SEC experience).
All these schools have majors to pivot to if needed.
You do not want loans - especially in this field.
5 Likes
I would caution about creating a scenario where your son starts college anticipating that he will (or may) transfer out. This mindset could stand in the way of his developing close friendships, creating relationships with professors, getting involved in campus life, etc.
Certainly if he goes to Nebraska (or any college) and is unhappy and/or finds the college doesnāt meet his needs then you can discuss the option of transferring.
Keep in mind that transferring can be done successfully but is not always easy. Transfer students typically walk into a situation where many friendships have already been formed, where students are used to the routine and expectations of the college, etc. but things are new to the transfer student.
5 Likes
I agree: Definitely go with the intention of staying.
But a lot of times, kids/parents feel pressured to go in a certain direction because of the money. They worry, rightly, that if they donāt take a certain deal, a certain scholarship, itāll disappear. And thatās true, because there is much much less money available in transfer situations.
The beauty of this situation is that there is nothing to lose by trying Nebraska with a full heart and full intentions and no fears of losing something financially better.
OP, I strongly encourage you to weigh the financials at both, since while you said you can do it with āa little creativity and sacrifice,ā that may not be the scenario a couple of years down the line. By that, Iām referring to tuition increases that happen every year - can you handle 3 or 4 or 5% more every single year? - and, especially in PSUās case, budget cuts.
Be very very certain that the golf program will be there through the next four years at PSU, because thereās a likelihood of cutting less popular majors:
"Penn State is hiring a consultant to complete an āacademic program and portfolio reviewā by this summer, according to the announcement.
The project will include a review of all programs, majors, and minors, as well as enrollment data and workforce needs. Changes related to the consultantās evaluation will be implemented in the 2025-26 academic year."
I do not know the financial situation at Nebraska, or at your other options. But the demographic cliff, and financial crises at many universities, are real and happening now.
4 Likes
Great point. And if he joins a fraternity - forget it. Itās a lot !!
1 Like
Yes. Thereās no major where Iād scrimp and save to pay for Penn State when another Big Ten flagship with the same program is half the cost. Forget it if Iām writing the check. College-ready students should be able to get on a plane. Itās a lot safer than driving home, too.
Yeah, but I doubt thatās going to be a big deal for a socially able in-state kid at Ohio State. Heāll have dozens of friends there before he sets foot on campus.
2 Likes
Not sure Nebraska is an easier to get to campus. OP is in Ohio. They can drive PSU.
Both have small airports nearby. Lincoln is closer to Omaha - OP can check shuttles from there. Likely cheaper flights to Omaha than Lincoln.
FGCU is near the Ft Myers airport - but wonāt have big time sports.
Agreed PSU is not worth the $$ when Nebraska has a similar program. Itās like engineering - people likely overstate the pedigree. Ask Nebraska for outcomes. Are they similar ?
Also - where do kids get direct experience ? How far are the golf courses they intern/study at and how do they get to them ?
1 Like
Thatās too bad about Eastern Kentucky. Did he consider Ferris State?
From what youāve indicated, I would say that Penn State is off the table and itās Nebraska with the PGA program (and a multitude of other offerings), or itās a different school thatās within budget and within a preferred geographic radius.
1 Like
Personal decision, but unless you can stroke the check without a second thought, I wouldnāt make the sacrifice for a relatively low paying job (based on what was posted above). Just like I wouldnāt pay $60,000/yr for an elementary education degree, which can be obtained for much less.
Thatās a very niche degree - what will he do with it if he loses interest in the golf management? I agree with the suggestions to steer him toward another major (not sure anyone mentioned hospitality management?) He can continue to show his interest in golf by joining a golf club at college or I know there are some colleges that offer programs in golf course maintenance (kind of a landscaping program), maybe he can minor in something like that. There seems to be a lot of ways to get into that career field without necessarily having this specific degree.
One more note, my younger daughter worked several summers in high school at a couple of high-end golf & country clubs in our city. The employee turnover (all levels) at those places is HUGE. There was one busy weekend that she saw most of management walk off the job after a dispute with ownership. Her boss (the GM of the club) has bounced around among several clubs and was gone again when she reached out to try and get some hours while home on break last year.
4 Likes
You have such a good point here about what each parent defines as a sacrifice. My husband and I sat down with our financial advisor just two days ago so we could do just that - take emotion out of it, look at numbers and get on the same page about what it would take to send him to the most expensive option. Your last statement sums it up, and itās where out gut really is - we canāt force Nebraska on him, and we donāt have to feel forced to do PSU. Sharing thoughts on this thread has really helped bring forward this third option which is to really start considering the more general tracks. Thank you!
4 Likes