<p>So, I am enrolled at CMU as a 3rd year student for this fall studying the arts. I’m facing graduating now with roughly 32k in Stafford Loans with 12k in private loans.</p>
<p>While I have enjoyed CMU very much, I do not feel that my calling will be in my current arts major but rather fashion design. I am considering deferring my fall semester to apply to a top fashion school in the UK. If I am accepted as a 2nd year student I will graduate with the same loans as at CMU, and this is my school of preference. If I am not accepted as a 2nd year student, then the amount I will have to take out to attend around 32k stafford and 30something private loans will be too much. </p>
<p>I prefer the UK school for my career goals but it is a gamble. I do not lose CMU by taking a semester off and it will give me options to at least get an offer from another school. </p>
<p>What would you do if you really wanted to study fashion but do not want to sink yourself into massive debts?</p>
<p>I have considered studying abroad at the UK school and also getting a postgraduate diploma after finishing my BFA at CMU. </p>
<p>I wonder if there is much risk in taking a semester off or should I just forget the whole idea and get my degree from CMU?</p>
<p>HELP!</p>
<p>Are you from the UK? If not, factor in your travel and housing costs realistically. Housing in the UK (depending on the location) is not cheap.</p>
<p>I’m from the US.</p>
<p>New update. CMU will be 32k stafford loans with 10k in private vs 32k in stafford loans and 30k in private loans for the UK school. If I go to the UK school I have a year to earn $. </p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>It doesn’t sound like the UK school is affordable. You already are carrying too much debt for CMU and there’s no way to justify taking an additional $20K in loans for a career like fashion design, where I would assume that employment prospects are iffy. </p>
<p>Finish your degree at CMU – plan to work a few years and pay down some of your loans – and then if you want to further your education related to career plans, go for a graduate degree. For career purposes, a Master’s degree is always better than a bachelor’s in any case – that is, down the line if you want to be designer, you will be better off with a BFA in arts from CMU + an a Masters in Fashion Design … then to simply have a Bachelors’ level degree in fashion design, no matter where the school. </p>
<p>While you are in school, look for internships in your field of interest – just because you are not studying fashion design doesn’t mean that you can’t get an internship or summer job working for a designer. For employment in any field, experience is as important as educational credentials, and you can be working to bolster your credentials in that direction.</p>
<p>The grass is always greener . . . UK must sound exciting to you. You don’t any of the hurdles and you can see and hear lots of great things. </p>
<p>I cannot express how expensive it is to relocate to another country. Passports, air tickets, hotels while you apartment hunt, meals out ditto, fees for everything under the sun . . . plus big rent deposits and the whole setting up costs (broom, mop, tv, – all things you’ll want to have and are too big and odd to fly over). </p>
<p>Work like crazy to be outstanding at what you do – and see the UK on the payroll of a firm that hires you to be there. Much better!</p>
<p>Olymom,</p>
<p>I actually included all those costs in the above numbers. I have passports, free air tickets form frequent flyer miles and housing is all covered in the numbers. Is 32k Stafford loans and a small private loan still too much debt?</p>
<p>I already go to school across the country from my home so it’s just about the same deal. I would only take what I can check in. 2 years into college I never even bought a tv or any new things at all. Mop is included in dorms :)</p>
<p>Can you get Stafford loans when you’re matriculated at a foreign uni? I thought the school had to participate in the Federal Direct loan program!</p>
<p>Sk8rmom,
The school does allow US students to use Stafford loans. One of my friends currently going there does use Stafford loans.</p>