Do you think high school students are under too much pressure to pick a "good" college?
Asked by Justin HWe hear all the talk about the rising cost of college and about how some schools are better than others. But I can't help wondering if all of this distracts from the very real alternative of going to a local community college and/or state university. In California, going to a CSU costs around $4000 a year. When you factor in room and board it can still be well under $10000 a year. Furthermore, the education from these state universities is not going to be drastically different than what you get at a more prestigious school. I went to CSU Chico and there business program was considered one of the best in the country and there was a very high recruitment rate for graduates. At the time, they were one of only 3(? exact number) schools in the nation to have an SAP program. But I don't ever recall seeing CSUC on any list of best colleges.
Favorite Answer
Answered by J1
I agree with you. I think where you go to college is much less important than what you actually do while you are there. For me, I was always planning to go on to graduate school, so my college choice REALLY didn't matter for my bachelor's. They just wanted to see I had high grades, high GREs and research experience--no one asked me why I chose the undergrad institution that I did. I went to a state university for undergraduate--and it didn't hold me back one bit. I think more people should focus on the price tag, the "fit" of the school (is it good for what you want), and the opportunities you will have rather than just school name. I could have applied to private schools for college, but I would have gotten very little aid for it. If I had gotten aid, it would have been in the form of loans. I didn't want to be stuck with a $30,000-$40,000-$50,000 a year tuition bill---that's insane! It's especially insane since it's not the end of the road for me. Stanford, Yale, etc. would have been nice, but I certainly didn't need it--and nor do most people. Now, if you are going for a job directly out of undergrad, a prestigious school might help. But you know what would help even more? Already being active in your field, having taken advantages of opportunities at your college--this is WAY more important than just where you went. I think you need to look at what you want to do, and go to the school that is the best financial option with the best opportunities. It's not always the $40,000 a year private school.
I agree with you. I think where you go to college is much less important than what you actually do while you are there. For me, I was always planning to go on to graduate school, so my college choice REALLY didn't matter for my bachelor's. They just wanted to see I had high grades, high GREs and research experience--no one asked me why I chose the undergrad institution that I did. I went to a state university for undergraduate--and it didn't hold me back one bit. I think more people should focus on the price tag, the "fit" of the school (is it good for what you want), and the opportunities you will have rather than just school name. I could have applied to private schools for college, but I would have gotten very little aid for it. If I had gotten aid, it would have been in the form of loans. I didn't want to be stuck with a $30,000-$40,000-$50,000 a year tuition bill---that's insane! It's especially insane since it's not the end of the road for me. Stanford, Yale, etc. would have been nice, but I certainly didn't need it--and nor do most people. Now, if you are going for a job directly out of undergrad, a prestigious school might help. But you know what would help even more? Already being active in your field, having taken advantages of opportunities at your college--this is WAY more important than just where you went. I think you need to look at what you want to do, and go to the school that is the best financial option with the best opportunities. It's not always the $40,000 a year private school.
Read more questions about Rose State College
- Top Three Things You Need to Know Now!
- Rose State College Costs
- Degrees offered by Rose State College
- Rose State College Enrollment Information
