I’m currently getting ready to determine what colleges to apply to. I am a senior in high-school with interests in Art as well as the social sciences (and possibly teaching).
I am a shoe-in for UMBC. Among other things: I’m from Maryland, my GPA and SAT scores are above their average, my art and research/internship backgrounds are massive hooks for me, and my mother works there. Because my mother works there, I can go tuition free. This means that all I may have to pay for is room and board/books/food, and if I can secure scholarship money I may not even have to pay for that. I basically have a full ride.
The problem is though; I don’t really have any desire to go there. I don’t feel like their art program is very good, I’ve been to the campus and I’m not terribly impressed with it, I really don’t want to attend school in Maryland, my mom has explained to me that unless you’re a stand out student there you get very little personal attention, etc. I don’t hate the place entirely and it has its upsides, I’m just not very interested or excited. I do understand however that they have a good study abroad program which I like very much, and that after 2 years I can (?) transfer to another possibly more urban and competitive school somewhere else.
My question in a nutshell is this: do I go to a less competitive school that I’m not very interested in or excited about because I’ll be getting a full ride, or do I go for another school that I’m more interested in that’s more competitive and take on debt in the thousands in order to go there for all four years? And is going in thinking that I’ll just transfer in a couple of years really realistic? Thank you for your inputs.
What are your stats? We may be able to help find some alternative schools that offer scholarships. Here is one possible set: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
I don’t understand why you are even thinking about this right now. If UMBC is a safety for you, as it seems to be, apply. Also apply to 7-11 other schools: 1-2 more safeties, 3-5 matches, and 3-4 reaches. Wait until you’ve received decisions, and weigh your options, including total cost of attendance. Some of these schools you will have to wait until March or even April to find out whether you got in. You might even change your mind about staying in Maryland before then.
To get started in a career working in the arts one often has to take low-paying or volunteer internships. Teaching pays decently but a load of debt will crimp you for years to come. Hence it is important to you IMHO to keep your debt load as small as possible.
This is really up to you. At many large publics few kids every go to visit a prof during office hours except to dispute a grade. If you want a school where even the most shy kid gets personal attention then a LAC or smaller private may fit the bill. However if you are willing to take the initiative to visit your profs and TAs, to join clubs related to your interests, visit the career center regularly starting frosh year, then I think you’ll find all the personal attention you want.
I disagree with #1. First, teachers ought to get the best education they can.
For instance, becoming a teacher after Harvard or Williams or Bryn Mawr is not a waste, but a huge contribution to society. (and it may well be cheaper than an instate public for a middle class family…)
Second, this student’s interest for teaching is third in the list.
While UMBC is a good university, a student who could get a full tuition scholarship elsewhere - such as this student might, depending on stats - is perfectly okay investigating possibilities. In addition, many universities have tuition exchange (TE).
Finally, living on campus, discovering another part of the country, living on your own, all have intrinsic value. Some students can’t afford it - but if they can, why not ?
Op should apply to UMBC, St Mary’s, and UMDCP, if course. But there’s no reason why s/he can’t apply to other universities.
@ssims0020 : have you actually run the NPC on several colleges? What’s your parents’budget for college vs. Their efc? Have you looked into TE? Other university agreements?
Debt Free/Close to Debt Free College > Having to pay off six figures of non-dischargaeable student loans for undergrad, especially if you ever want to go to grad school.
OP, I can’t offer an answer, just my own experience and perspective. My D1 was also eligible for tuition remission at UMBC, as well as other Maryland state schools. She applied to UMBC and UMDCP as a humanities major, and picked UMBC.
They may be known more for STEM, and generally seen as an inferior school by the locals, but there are a lot of advantages there including the personal attention you can get if, as other posters have suggested, you seek out your profs in their office hours.
I also agree with you about their excellent study abroad program.
Financially, it’s a no-brainer. D1 got a merit scholarship that, when combined with the tuition remission, is a full ride including books with a little left over each semester. (It would be hard to turn that down, even if you only stayed two years!)
ON THE OTHER HAND, my D2 is a H.S. senior planning to major in STEM. She will be applying to UMBC because it’s an obvious financial safety but, although on paper it is an even better fit for her than it was for her sister, she may end up choosing a school with less merit.
Bottom line, though: money isn’t everything – but a free education shouldn’t be tossed aside without a pretty compelling reason.
I agree with those who say apply elsewhere and see what your options are – so you can compare real choices rather than just think of it as up or down at UMBC. Have you thought about College Park? They have a great honors program there. Doesn’t MD have some in-state scholarships for good students?
As far as money versus “more competitive” university, this is a personal decision that you will have to make based on your values and pocketbook. Some people care a lot about the reputation and ranking of where they go to school and will pay a lot (or their parents will) and even go into debt for it. Others are perfectly happy going to and paying the lower tuition at universities that are comparable to UMBC.
It would be good if you could find a university where you feel comfortable and want to be there, but I agree with NerdMom88 and second it with personal experience – give serious consideration to a tuition-free education.
I agree with checking into other schools where you might also get a scholarship or need-based aid - maybe even a full ride instead of just tuition. Then only seriously consider schools with costs lower than or not much more than UMBC.
@ssims0020 I agree totally with @MYOS1634 on post 7. Look into other possibilities. Don’t assume you will go into great debt to go to a school you think is a better fit. Many good if not tiptop LACs will give generous merit. Even if you feel UMBC is a sure thing, apply to some other schools just in case.