<p>Why do so many people want to go a top expensive college instead of saving money by going to a state school? Graduate and/or professional school is far more important than the undergraduate. Most employers look at which professional school an applicant went to, not which undergraduate program an applicant went to. And they only look at which professional school an applicant went to only as a last resort (experience, academic honors, etc… are far more important factors). Then what is the point of paying $40k/year instead of $5k/year. Your academic success in college depends on how hard you are willing to work anyways. And most colleges have approximately the same clubs and research opportunities.</p>
<p>I had to face this decision between UT and Wesleyan. In the end, I liked the personal and social environment of the private school so much more that I figured it a better investment. I also think it will prepare me better for law school - after all, getting into a good professional school is dependent on several factors, and typically top private schools cater to students more thus resulting in better placement. However, I wouldn’t fork out 50k a year instead of 20k a year for all four years unless the private school becomes more affordable, which is often the case.</p>
<p>That’s EXACTLY what my dad says. I completely agree. =]</p>
<p>Just so you know, I was part of a volunteer program with Goldmn Sachs(major investment banking firm) today. Every person there went to either an Ivy or NYU. The prestige of a private school(though it comes with a price) pays off in the future.</p>