Crazy to take big merit money at JMU over UVA full price?

[Anonymous]

UVA is top shelf braj

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

I’m going to guess a teacher since I’m a teacher. If so, go to JMU. Both are great schools and it really doesn’t matter. Tuition free is worth it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no shade to JMU but it's a huge difference in the job market overall, no matter the major. My grads are always been told, "wow UVA!" when they interview and it definitely makes an impression. I know that's anecdotal
but UVA in state is not that expensive, and the reputational difference is a wide gulf.

As a hiring manager in a competitive field, I focus more on the individual, their internships, their activities, and their demeanor more than where they went to school. JMU allows a kid to stand out and have opportunities that they may not have at a hyper competitive school like UVA - I have one of each on my team and both are hard workers and really smart. If I didn't know, I could not tell you which person went to UVA and which one went to JMU.

+1
It's almost comical seeing the UVA boosters - as usual - try and hype up their school past all recognition. No one can tell the difference between a JMU grad and a UVA grad. But I'm happy the PP has convinced herself otherwise.

At least the UVA grads don’t use a silly woman’s judgmental phrase like “it’s almost comical”.

[Anonymous]

How are the family dynamics? Would it be tough for the oldest to know that they are sacrificing their school choice for their younger siblings? So many times the eldest kid of larger families ends up acting for the betterment of others rather than themselves/their futures. I say this as a someone with 4 kids either in college/recent college grads. Family dynamics is important. If your oldest earned UVA and you can stretch to send them, then maybe you should if it’s what they really want? They may say they’re good with JMU (which is also a great school by the way) but are they really or are they just saying that to make mom and dad feel better? Perhaps the younger sibs can work hard and earn their own opportunities? Or maybe split the amount saved so each gets a sum and then the rest is up to them? Why does the oldest have to make a decision based on their younger sibs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. The 35k price for James Madison does include $5000 of personal expenses, travel, expenses, and loan fees. Without those it’s only 30,000, which is more realistic.[b]
2. My husband went to JMU, studied business, and makes in the highest six figures. I went to UVA and still make five figures. Where you go to college does not matter.

Incorrect. Go back and read the link. The $5000 you cite for personal expenses, travel, books, supplies and travel are absolutely included in the $35,000. As are the approx same amounts down the same $62 loan fee in the UVA estimate of $40,000.

So UVA is oniy $5k more and OP has stated her child was offered only full tuition, not full freight which is only $13,762. So the total for her son to go to UVA would be $18,762.

Definitely UVA. Ranked 4 versus 151 USNR for public universities.

Why do you keep misstating JMU’s public university ranking?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it’s crazy. You’re really lucky to be paying in-state tuition for UVA.

College is much more than expected income: the experience/exposure itself is really important. If expected income is the only concern, you don’t even need to spend 4 years going to college! Plenty of blue-color careers pay more than $80-100k (not to mention that’s the top income range according to you)!

[Anonymous]

I would go to UVA, hands down. I'm not a prestige seeker, and I'm poor by NOVA standards, but I would full-pay UVA over full-ride JMU no matter the circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

I’m going to guess a teacher since I’m a teacher. If so, go to JMU. Both are great schools and it really doesn’t matter. Tuition free is worth it!

+1 Teaching or nursing, go where it is cheapest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not complaining here and know this is a great choice to have: DC somehow lucked out and unexpectedly got accepted to UVA in-state and also got a full tuition offer from JMU. We're thrilled! As a family, we could really stretch and make UVA work without loans, but younger siblings will be in college soon so every dollar counts. DC feels like they would be happy at either school and their current choice of major doesn't really benefit from the added prestige of UVA. But we've been in NOVA long enough that the "UVA or bust" attitude has seeped into our consciousness. I know it's stupid to look for confirmation/approval online, but here I am! I just want to do right by my kid. Any thoughts? JMU make the most sense here?

How are the stats of the younger siblings compared to this kid’s? If they don’t have a viable chance of getting into UVA, you shouldn’t let go of this opportunity. Ranking really doesn’t matter as much when you go below the top ~50, so they can choose the college that gives them most $$$. If the siblings have a better chance of getting into UVA, would they give up the opportunity again if admitted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go to UVA, hands down. I'm not a prestige seeker, and I'm poor by NOVA standards, but I would full-pay UVA over full-ride JMU no matter the circumstances.

+100

[Anonymous]

In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no shade to JMU but it's a huge difference in the job market overall, no matter the major. My grads are always been told, "wow UVA!" when they interview and it definitely makes an impression. I know that's anecdotal
but UVA in state is not that expensive, and the reputational difference is a wide gulf.

As a hiring manager in a competitive field, I focus more on the individual, their internships, their activities, and their demeanor more than where they went to school. JMU allows a kid to stand out and have opportunities that they may not have at a hyper competitive school like UVA - I have one of each on my team and both are hard workers and really smart. If I didn't know, I could not tell you which person went to UVA and which one went to JMU.

+1
It's almost comical seeing the UVA boosters - as usual - try and hype up their school past all recognition. No one can tell the difference between a JMU grad and a UVA grad. But I'm happy the PP has convinced herself otherwise.

At least the UVA grads don’t use a silly woman’s judgmental phrase like “it’s almost comical”.

You're right. Should have said, "It IS comical." Thanks for the correction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. The 35k price for James Madison does include $5000 of personal expenses, travel, expenses, and loan fees. Without those it’s only 30,000, which is more realistic.
2. My husband went to JMU, studied business, and makes in the highest six figures. I went to UVA and still make five figures. Where you go to college does not matter.

Incorrect. Go back and read the link. The $5000 you cite for personal expenses, travel, books, supplies and travel are absolutely included in the $35,000. As are the approx same amounts down the same $62 loan fee in the UVA estimate of $40,000.

So UVA is oniy $5k more and OP has stated her child was offered only full tuition, not full freight which is only $13,762. So the total for her son to go to UVA would be $18,762.

Definitely UVA. Ranked 4 versus 151 USNR for public universities.

[b]Why do you keep misstating JMU’s public university ranking?

DO: And what do you contribute other than nit-picking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

It’s not true. OP has no idea where her child will end up or in what major. 80% of all
students change their major at least once. UVA gives the child the greatest springboard in almost every field. If we are talking about in $13,000 in full tuition at JMU, that’s nothing compared to what a UVA experience could give this kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

It’s not true. OP has no idea where her child will end up or in what major. 80% of all
students change their major at least once. UVA gives the child the greatest springboard in almost every field. If we are talking about in $13,000 in full tuition at JMU, that’s nothing compared to what a UVA experience could give this kid.

100%. UVA.
And no, not a booster, and both of ours picked ivies over UVA in-state, for a much greater differential in $.
UVA is indeed a top school that has a large edge over JMU in every field, and 13k is a very small amount to sacrifice for a T5 public/T25 overall.