Where do I go to College???????? help!!

College Search & Lists
1

<p>These are the three that are still in the running:</p>

<p>Brandeis University, Waltham MA
Delaware Valley College, Dolyestown PA
College of the Atlantic, Barharbor ME</p>

<p>I am interested in pursuing a career in Wildlife Conservation/ rehabilitation or Wildlife Biology and plan on getting my masters degree in one of those areas. </p>

<p>Brandeis: pros
-great reputation
-amazing science programs
-right outside boston</p>

<p>cons:

  • will graduate with 110K dollars in debt
  • accepted midyear (might be a good thing)
  • the closet major is Environmental Science; no zoology or conservation</p>

<p>Delaware Valley College: pros

  • close knit community
  • warmer weather
  • has the majors I’m looking for
  • on site farm where I can get hands on experience
  • relatively small school </p>

<p>cons

  • Will graduate with 77K dollars in debt
  • not as reputable as Brandeis
  • not sure if its challenging enough</p>

<p>College of the Atlantic: pros

  • would graduate with 58K in debt, almost half of that of Brandies
  • has interesting courses pertaining to my career plans
  • school size of about 400 gives personalized and hands-on learning
  • on site marine animal rescue center
  • Acadia National Park is right next door
  • The open curriculum means that I can study other topics and make sure I know what I want to do with the rest of my life</p>

<p>cons

  • 400 students total in school
  • eight hours away
  • only one degree offered which is a BS in Human Ecology
  • no one really knows about the school</p>

<p>I guess at this point I’m just trying to find out which school will give me the most opportunity. I would appreciate any and all input. Thanks</p>

2

<p>I wouldn’t recommend that you graduate with even 58K in debt. You’ve chosen three expensive private schools - I think that you need to reassess with more financially reasonable options.</p>

3

<p>I agree with gadad–none of those schools are financially a good choice. Wildlife conservation/rehab is not a field where you’re going to be making tons of money, especially right out of school.</p>

<p>There must be an in-state school that you could attend for less. Going into that much debt for undergrad is not a wise choice–especially if you are thinking of grad school.</p>

4

<p>the thing is that all of these numbers are including repaying the loans that were included in my financial aid package… for example. College of the Atlantic gave me 38K out of 45, but some of that was in loans that they gave me. The totals are the 4 years plus loans.</p>

5

<p>I think gadad and I both assumed you meant those were totals for all 4 years. It’s still way too much money to borrow.</p>

<p>Try plugging your numbers in this debt calculator. It can be an eye opening experience. The careers you are considering have an average salary of $40-60,000 per year. Most recent grads will be making less.</p>

<p>[Debt</a> / salary wizard](<a href=“Mapping Your Future: Page not found”>Mapping Your Future: Debt / salary wizard)</p>

<p>Did you apply to a financial safety school?</p>

6

<p>at this point in my process its not so much about the money as it is the education I will be receiving. I understand that I will have a great debt to pay and I did apply to many other schools, but the financial aid for these other schools contained even more loans or the school was not a fit when I went to visit.</p>

7

<p>There is no guarantee that you will continue to be able to borrow those huge sums of money. I also have to agree that given your career goal, it is very unwise to be borrowing that much money.</p>

8

<p>You may not be able to afford the luxury of “fit.”</p>

9

<p>Go to community college until you apply again with better choices. These choices are ridiculously overpriced.</p>

10

<p>College of the Atlantic has fantastic environmental science programs-- not to mention the cheapest of those three</p>

11

<p>Do you have an in-state public university that offers this major, or can you start out at a community college? You can’t afford any of these places. You need to find a less expensive option. Run your numbers here and see why: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid)</p>

<p>For further advice on how to interpret the numbers, repost your question in the Financial Aid Forum.</p>