College Advice?

[oxymoron]

I'm at that point in my life where I get to choose what I want to do after high school and I've chosen college. Problem is I fell into the wrong crowd and slacked off the first two years. Now I'm at fork in the road. I have a few choices I really don't know which path to choose. I'm going to make this into simple points as a big block of text screams usually "Naw, fuck this" to most people.

1. I attend a California State University (CSU) and transfer to a higher tier CSU in 2 years. (A high tier CSU equals out to a mid-tier UC)

Pro's
- Being at a college for all 4 years
- Studying abroad
- Less distractions

Cons
- Cost more
- The schools are not as prestigious
- Job prospects are slightly lower

2. I go to a community college and transfer to a high tier UC, preferably UCLA or UC Berkeley

Pro's
- Costs less
- UCLA and others like it are much better schools
- Job prospects are (obviously) better
- Parents said they buy me a $17,000-$18,000 car instead of a $10k one
- CC has a program called Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) which will guarantee admission to a mid-tier UC of my choice

Con's
- Miss out of the first two years old "college experience"
- Everyone will be settled in by the time I get there?
- Sorta strict parents so living at home will kinda suck
- More distractions (I get distracted which is kinda why I'm in the position. I have learned from my mistakes but this will really test me)

3. Go to a CSU for a year and go to community for sophomore year then transfer to UCLA or high tier UC

Pro's
- A little bit of the "college experience"
- Less distractions
- Have an idea of college lifestyle before attending transfer school

Con's
- Cost and I mean by a lot
- Abrupt lifestyle changes doesn't sound like fun



I have a chance at winning a 20k scholarship in March at which point I'd pick number 3. For the people who are going to say "Why not use the car money for college?", I can't. That money is coming from selling older cars which have liens on them.

[Hobie-wan]

IMHO you need out figure out what you think you want to study first as that makes a difference in where you go to school.

[oxymoron]

Well, people usually change majors as you probably already know but political science.

[marurun]

- More distractions (I get distracted which is kinda why I'm in the position. I have learned from my mistakes but this will really test me)

You aren't going to have more distractions at home than on-campus, trust me. In fact, though commuting may be a pain, you'll probably have more study time and sleep more. Which is not to say you shouldn't try to experience some of the "college life".

Also, worry a little less about what tier school you'll be attending. Worry more about what you'll be studying and how much work you're interested in putting it. If you are aggressive with your studies and networking, it almost doesn't matter where you go. A hard worker and go-getter at a weaker school is better than an average student at a better school.

[MrPopo]

If you do go with option 2 see if you can get your parents to set aside the extra $7k in an investment account or something and still take the $10k car. Then you'll have a bit of a nest egg to get started once you're out of school.

[samsonlonghair]

I'm going to give you some unusual advice. A lot of people will disagree with this, and they may have statistics to back them up, but I've found it to be true for me. It may also be true for you.

I'm going to advise you to wait a few years before you go to college. Go live a little. Be young, wild, and a little bit stupid. Have fun. Wear protection. Get a job you don't hate, and work your ass off (even if it's part time). Fall in love, and get your heart broken. Then fall in love again. Use birth control. Take a few road trips. Join a band. Get drunk around people you like. Keep a spare condom in your glove box. Go to a music festival. Get all the youthful wild craziness done first. Then, go to college.

Why? Three reasons: Age/maturity, money, and sex.

Let's talk about age and maturity first. A college class that's extremely hard for a nineteen-year-old dude is a breeze for a twenty-three-year-old man. They say that "age is only a number," but that's a lie. Age is also about maturity. This is the first reason I advised you to go wild before going to college. Most young students go wild WHILE going to college. I'm sure you can see why this is a bad idea. At some point during your college years, you will face the choice of studying for tomorrow morning's exam or partying with half naked, fully drunk sorority chicks. The nineteen-year-old student and the twenty-three-year-old student both know what the right choice is, but the difference is that the twenty-three-year-old student actually has the self control to make that choice. You're going to do wild, crazy shit during your next few years. You might as well do that before college.

The second reason is money. This part is going to sound a little bit crass, but someone has to tell you straight. It may as well be me. If saving money is truly one of your concerns (and it should be) then wait 'till your older to go. There's the obvious reason = You'll get a few years to save up more money. There's also the hidden reason. This is a bigger deal than anyone has told you. It's called, "efc" or expected family contribution. When you're filling out your FAFSA and other student aid forms, you will be asked about your parents income on their tax returns. These numbers are meant to determine your "efc". In other words, how much money does the college and the government expect your family is going to pay for your education based on their income? This makes a significant difference in how much financial aid you will receive. After you turn twenty-three, everything changes. At this point, your family's "efc" becomes zero. In other words, after age 23 the college and the government doesn't expect mom or dad to chip in a single penny for your education. This gives you WAY more financial aid money.

The third reason is sex. If that last bit about money sounded crass, this next part is going to buy me a one-way ticket to hell. All aboard! During college, there will be girls (or boys if that's what floats your boat) by the hundreds. Remember to keep condoms in your dorm. At no other point in your life will you be surrounded by so many nubile young hotties who want to have fun away from Mom and Dad's watchful eye. This does not necessarily guarantee your success in love though. There's plenty of lovin' on every college campus, but there's also plenty of competition. How do you improve your standing with all the pretty college girls? Simple. Just be a few years older than all the other dumb boys drooling over them. A slightly older man is more attractive to most girls. I'll admit this is a broad generalization. Sure, there are girls who prefer younger boys, but they are the exception that proves the rule. Generally speaking, you will have more luck with college girls (or boys if that's what you like) if you are just a few years older than the other males. Sorry if that last part seems slightly misogynistic. I have no hatred for women. I'm just acknowledging a few simple truths in a rather blunt way.

But wait! Somebody read a statistic somewhere that says that if you don't go straight from high school to college, your whole future will be ruined, and you'll be forced to toil in the salt mines for the rest of your natural life! Well, that's kind of ridiculous, don't you think? Every college in America graduates non traditional adult students every year. There's no secret to this. Simply don't let yourself become a statistic. Don't make any babies while you're young, and you'll be free to go to college any time you like.

So, there it is, all laid out for you. Age, money, and sex are the three reasons you should go have a wild time now, and go to college in a few years. Still not so sure? Remind yourself of this one simple fact: College isn't going anywhere. You're not on a time limit. Community college, CSU, UCLA, and UC Berkely will still exist a few years from now.

[dsheinem]

A college class that's extremely hard for a nineteen-year-old dude is a breeze for a twenty-three-year-old man.

Not really. Anecdotally, I find that many of my students who are non-trads have significant troubles getting back into "classroom mode" and have forgotten some of the habits of the mind by taking time away from school. They often struggle to carve out time to study because of the distraction of other commitments and habits that they've picked up in the interim. I have had many non-trads do really well and be some of my top students, too...but, as a population, college tends to be much harder for them and requires a lot more focus and adjustment.

This is the first reason I advised you to go wild before going to college. Most young students go wild WHILE going to college. I'm sure you can see why this is a bad idea.

"Going wild" while in college lets you do so in a much more "protected" environment than not. When you are one drunk 20 year old in a town full of them, you stand out much less. If you wind up with personal or legal troubles from being too "wild" you will often find that the university has "free" resources to help you get out of a jam (e.g. counselors, lawyers, etc.). Most schools have policies that grant you wiggle room to do your screwing up on campus with little to no "real-world" implications or records.

money and sex

These are of course highly variable from person to person. Also, FAFSA eligibility as an independent is now set at "24 by end of the year" so it may be more like a 5-6 year wait to go to college if holding out for that status. Out of curiosity, do you know how much more financial aid (in non-loan form) being an independent grants you?

But wait! Somebody read a statistic somewhere that says that if you don't go straight from high school to college, your whole future will be ruined, and you'll be forced to toil in the salt mines for the rest of your natural life! Well, that's kind of ridiculous, don't you think? Every college in America graduates non traditional adult students every year. There's no secret to this. Simply don't let yourself become a statistic.

Those "statistics somewhere" about lifetime earnings, happiness, etc. are quite helpful for giving advice such as the type he's asking. It's easy to say "don't become one" --- it is much harder to make that a reality. It sounds like you had the fortitude and perspective to not fall into the category of "HS degree only" or "some college", but if you want to advise someone to take time off you really need to give them a better sense of what it takes to succeed in that context rather than just saying that classes and girls will both be easier because you are older.

Also, worry a little less about what tier school you'll be attending. Worry more about what you'll be studying and how much work you're interested in putting it. If you are aggressive with your studies and networking, it almost doesn't matter where you go. A hard worker and go-getter at a weaker school is better than an average student at a better school.

That is more or less true depending on one's career field. If he remains interested in politics, for example, than going to school somewhere with a known pedigree in the field of political science is a huge leg up in job application processes, opening up networking opportunities, etc. My advice to people picking out schools is typically to disregard geography and cost as much as possible and apply to the best-ranked schools in your area of interest. Even if your interests change (which they often do), you will typically land at a school that has strong programs across the board.

If I were in your shoes, oxy, I'd likely choose option #2.

[jp1]

As someone who took the hard road let me address a couple things.

1. Don't have kids.
This is not foolproof, condoms are not a guarantee. You might also find yourself making poor decisions, like "she said she was on the pill". Trust me when I say it is much more difficult when you are young, possibly drunk, and generally less experienced to plan ahead. It is never a given unless you abstain, or you have different preferences.

Disclaimer: I love my kids and wouldn't change a thing now, my daughter was with a short term girlfriend and that has been a difficult situation, especially when young. The point here is that it took me closer to a decade to get back to school, with 3 kids, it was NOT easier in any way.

2. Money.
It sounds like your parents are in a position to help you and their inclination to do so is strong. Make the best of that now. Things change, finances, inclinations, relationships, it's possible if you wait until you're further into adulthood that the safety net will no longer be available. So no free car, care packages, etc...This support from family is worth more than a bigger chunk of debt. Trust me.

For me it's option 2 as well and Popo's caveat is a smart one you would not regret.

[Flake]

IMHO you need out figure out what you think you want to study first as that makes a difference in where you go to school.

Makes this []i]if[/i] you go to school, as well. I've got my BA but this isn't the economy our parents grew up in. As a computer networker, I work along side (and for) people who don't have much more than their GED but they have the skill set and certification that make them valuable.

That four year degree is no longer the guaranteed road to riches and it is important to define what field you want to work in before you commit to any lengthy and costly training program.

[SirGawain]

I would go option 2, and this is coming from someone who went straight to a 4 year university. I have a ton of debt which could have been significantly less if I went to a community college. If you do get a more expensive car, it will possibly last longer and you will be happier with it, meaning you might not want to get a new one straight out of college = less debt after college.

A fourth option is to go to a vocational school. It may not be as glamorous as a conventional college degree, but there is a greater chance of finding a job in your field right off the bat. Just some food for thought