$80k In Debt Worth It for Ivy Undergrad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

Why don’t you become a teacher then? Can you take a class or two at Columbia Teacher’s college. Eventually you could make your way towards those cool outdoor teaching programs like your friend is doing or teach internationally. You don’t get rich becoming a teacher and it is hard work but it is rewarding and you will be able to support yourself. You can get certified through Teach for America or there are other programs like that. You could also teach at a boarding school which is a pretty nice gig as you get to live in a nice community and housing is paid for. You have options. Don’t overly worry about prestige and $$$.
Being happy and content in life is more important

[Anonymous]

In case no one has posted this yet:
https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/collegeroi/

"Using data from the expanded College Scorecard, this report ranks 4,500 colleges and universities by return on investment."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

Isn't college free in California? Pardon my ignorance, I'm a Washingtonian. Can you get into UCLA or another state school? Go part-time pursuing your passion while working?

[Anonymous]

I think you'd need a STEM degree to teach science. And being a novelist sounds more like a hobby than a job, unless you get lucky. Keep thinking of ideas though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

Some teachers in Fairfax county are paid well. If you go to Columbia, Westchester pays their teachers 76k? Not MBB or law, but def very good income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

Another question: Do you like jobs that are essentially done solo by yourself at a computer, or do you want to be interacting with customers, sources, clients, or coworkers a lot? Do you want to be at a computer most of the time or do you want a more active job? Are you looking to experiment with different jobs or are you trying to find yourself a spot where you can settle into a career, right away?

You're getting to the point you need to stop thinking about college and start thinking about the life you want for yourself after college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

Why don’t you become a teacher then? Can you take a class or two at Columbia Teacher’s college. Eventually you could make your way towards those cool outdoor teaching programs like your friend is doing or teach internationally. You don’t get rich becoming a teacher and it is hard work but it is rewarding and you will be able to support yourself. You can get certified through Teach for America or there are other programs like that. You could also teach at a boarding school which is a pretty nice gig as you get to live in a nice community and housing is paid for. You have options. Don’t overly worry about prestige and $$$.
Being happy and content in life is more important

Because I'm about to take out $80k in loans, most of which will have high interest rates and little to no protections as most of the amount will be from private lenders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

Another question: Do you like jobs that are essentially done solo by yourself at a computer, or do you want to be interacting with customers, sources, clients, or coworkers a lot? Do you want to be at a computer most of the time or do you want a more active job? Are you looking to experiment with different jobs or are you trying to find yourself a spot where you can settle into a career, right away?

You're getting to the point you need to stop thinking about college and start thinking about the life you want for yourself after college.

OP here. You are right that most work is unappealing. But at this point, I'm way too mentally ill/suicidal to hack it at a job that pays the bills but is unappealing. Idk, for once in my life, I'd like to have some control or autonomy or do something pleasant. I'm too depressed to not do something I enjoy but pays the bills.

The questions you're asking are important, and the last one especially stands out to me. I would love to experiment with different jobs, but I have to settle into a career right away. And that career probably won't check off most of my other boxes in terms of the question you asked, since I'll have to take the highest-paying job available to me after graduation regardless of whether or not it suits me. This is because I'm about to take out $80k in loans, most of which will have high interest rates and little to no protections as most of the amount will be from private lenders. If I don't want to default on them, I'll have to take a high-paying job that will be WAY too intense for my tastes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

Isn't college free in California? Pardon my ignorance, I'm a Washingtonian. Can you get into UCLA or another state school? Go part-time pursuing your passion while working?

Um, no. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, I think you’re actually making a great choice for yourself. I admire your independence, real world knowledge, and drive (knowledge of high interest rates with private lenders, talking with college admin about financial independence, researching the scholarships for transfer students at seven sisters). Kudos.

All I can add is that a state school can be a great option if the seven sisters falls through. I went to a state school with tuition and room and board paid since my family was low income. I had several job offers upon graduation. Ultimately I ended up getting a masters from an Ivy League, all expenses paid, because I wanted to pivot fields, so there’s always another shot at getting a degree from somewhere more “prestigious” if you someday seek that, though in many cases I don’t think it’s necessary.

Like you I wanted to work in the non profit world and did so until my mid-30s. I then moved into government because it was better paying and love my current job. I truly have no regrets about my education or career choices.

I really admire the insight you have into yourself and your willingness to forge a non traditional path. I think it bodes well for your future.

PP is wrong. Knowledge about interest rates or scholarships for transfer students at schools that would NEVER take OP as a transfer (seriously OP, you're delusional if you genuinely think that Smith or wherever would take you as a transfer), is NOT a sign of independence or wisdom or whatever. It might be a sign of "the insight OP has into herself" or her "willingness to forge a non traditional path," but I'd argue that OP takes those traits to unhealthy extremes and is drowning in self-pity and self-indulgence and a huge sense of entitlement and stubbornness.

If OP keeps up her personality of self-indulgence, navel-gazing, entitlement, stubbornness, and overall horrific judgement, it does NOT bode well for her future. I would argue that OP has very little, if any, of the traits necessary to be financially successful.

Please stop telling OP that she's doing something well or making a great choice for herself. OP is about to HORRIFICALLY RUIN HER LIFE BEYOND REPAIRABLE DAMANGE! She is currently doing NOTHING well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

Another question: Do you like jobs that are essentially done solo by yourself at a computer, or do you want to be interacting with customers, sources, clients, or coworkers a lot? Do you want to be at a computer most of the time or do you want a more active job? Are you looking to experiment with different jobs or are you trying to find yourself a spot where you can settle into a career, right away?

You're getting to the point you need to stop thinking about college and start thinking about the life you want for yourself after college.

OP here. You are right that most work is unappealing. But at this point, I'm way too mentally ill/suicidal to hack it at a job that pays the bills but is unappealing. Idk, for once in my life, I'd like to have some control or autonomy or do something pleasant. I'm too depressed to not do something I enjoy but pays the bills.

The questions you're asking are important, and the last one especially stands out to me. I would love to experiment with different jobs, but I have to settle into a career right away. And that career probably won't check off most of my other boxes in terms of the question you asked, since I'll have to take the highest-paying job available to me after graduation regardless of whether or not it suits me. This is because I'm about to take out $80k in loans, most of which will have high interest rates and little to no protections as most of the amount will be from private lenders. If I don't want to default on them, I'll have to take a high-paying job that will be WAY too intense for my tastes.

OP - honestly if things are as bad as you keep saying you may be eligible for disability. I have a friend who is on disability due to depression and BPD. It's not easy to get - she had to go through a long process, with appeals - but it makes her life more tolerable. She also has a spouse with a decent job - he fixes trucks; he's not some Wall Street-er - but I would really, really recommend trying to find friends/partners who you feel safe with, too.

You've talked yourself into this deep hole. I hope your therapist can help you understand that objectively your situation is not as terrible or doomed as it feels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

Another question: Do you like jobs that are essentially done solo by yourself at a computer, or do you want to be interacting with customers, sources, clients, or coworkers a lot? Do you want to be at a computer most of the time or do you want a more active job? Are you looking to experiment with different jobs or are you trying to find yourself a spot where you can settle into a career, right away?

You're getting to the point you need to stop thinking about college and start thinking about the life you want for yourself after college.

OP here. You are right that most work is unappealing. But at this point, I'm way too mentally ill/suicidal to hack it at a job that pays the bills but is unappealing. Idk, for once in my life, I'd like to have some control or autonomy or do something pleasant. I'm too depressed to not do something I enjoy but pays the bills.

The questions you're asking are important, and the last one especially stands out to me. I would love to experiment with different jobs, but I have to settle into a career right away. And that career probably won't check off most of my other boxes in terms of the question you asked, since I'll have to take the highest-paying job available to me after graduation regardless of whether or not it suits me. This is because I'm about to take out $80k in loans, most of which will have high interest rates and little to no protections as most of the amount will be from private lenders. If I don't want to default on them, I'll have to take a high-paying job that will be WAY too intense for my tastes.

Okay, then take the high-paying job and pay off your loans. Why can't you do that?

Oh, that's right. You're a mentally ill, shriveling, pathetic, spoiled, sheltered, naïve, and entitled brat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

Another question: Do you like jobs that are essentially done solo by yourself at a computer, or do you want to be interacting with customers, sources, clients, or coworkers a lot? Do you want to be at a computer most of the time or do you want a more active job? Are you looking to experiment with different jobs or are you trying to find yourself a spot where you can settle into a career, right away?

You're getting to the point you need to stop thinking about college and start thinking about the life you want for yourself after college.

OP here. You are right that most work is unappealing. But at this point, I'm way too mentally ill/suicidal to hack it at a job that pays the bills but is unappealing. Idk, for once in my life, I'd like to have some control or autonomy or do something pleasant. I'm too depressed to not do something I enjoy but pays the bills.

The questions you're asking are important, and the last one especially stands out to me. I would love to experiment with different jobs, but I have to settle into a career right away. And that career probably won't check off most of my other boxes in terms of the question you asked, since I'll have to take the highest-paying job available to me after graduation regardless of whether or not it suits me. This is because I'm about to take out $80k in loans, most of which will have high interest rates and little to no protections as most of the amount will be from private lenders. If I don't want to default on them, I'll have to take a high-paying job that will be WAY too intense for my tastes.

OP - honestly if things are as bad as you keep saying you may be eligible for disability. I have a friend who is on disability due to depression and BPD. It's not easy to get - she had to go through a long process, with appeals - but it makes her life more tolerable. She also has a spouse with a decent job - he fixes trucks; he's not some Wall Street-er - but I would really, really recommend trying to find friends/partners who you feel safe with, too.

You've talked yourself into this deep hole. I hope your therapist can help you understand that objectively your situation is not as terrible or doomed as it feels.

I think taking out $80k in mostly predatory private student loan lenders is terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, which state if your home state? And what is your preferred job - what would you love to do if money wasn't an issue?

I think I've already mentioned I'm from California.

I always said that if I had a trust fund I'd try to make it as a novelist or become some sort of community organizer or maybe an environmental educator. I know a wealthy Columbia grad who currently works in the Rockies leading middle school classes on environmental science (while taking them on adventure trips in nature), and I have to hide my jealousy of her.

But these are not exactly careers that easily translate into higher-paying alternatives. I guess there's technical writing or working at a non-profit, but at this point, those seem unappealing.

I think you need to start getting your head around the idea that most work is unappealing. There are a small handful of people who love what they do and never work a day in their life. But even novelists have to actually sit down and write their novels, even on the days they don't feel like it.

What you need to find is a job you can tolerate, basically. A schedule, workload, and tasks that aren't going to make you feel crazy or bad. It's easier said than done but I think at this stage you'd be better off looking for than than agonizing over whether to finish college. (Yes, you should finish. You'll bang out those $80k and be able to stop thinking about this.)

Do you like working a regular schedule? Do you have the stamina for a high intensity job or are you going to do better at a more laid back job? Do you like working from home, or in an office, or some combo of both? How much $ do you need to make to give yourself a decent life that you will enjoy (outside of what your parents want)? Do you need to be doing something with social good or are you just fine being in the for-profit sector? Do you care if people are impressed with what you do or is that not important to you? Etc.

Another question: Do you like jobs that are essentially done solo by yourself at a computer, or do you want to be interacting with customers, sources, clients, or coworkers a lot? Do you want to be at a computer most of the time or do you want a more active job? Are you looking to experiment with different jobs or are you trying to find yourself a spot where you can settle into a career, right away?

You're getting to the point you need to stop thinking about college and start thinking about the life you want for yourself after college.

OP here. You are right that most work is unappealing. But at this point, I'm way too mentally ill/suicidal to hack it at a job that pays the bills but is unappealing. Idk, for once in my life, I'd like to have some control or autonomy or do something pleasant. I'm too depressed to not do something I enjoy but pays the bills.

The questions you're asking are important, and the last one especially stands out to me. I would love to experiment with different jobs, but I have to settle into a career right away. And that career probably won't check off most of my other boxes in terms of the question you asked, since I'll have to take the highest-paying job available to me after graduation regardless of whether or not it suits me. This is because I'm about to take out $80k in loans, most of which will have high interest rates and little to no protections as most of the amount will be from private lenders. If I don't want to default on them, I'll have to take a high-paying job that will be WAY too intense for my tastes.

OP - honestly if things are as bad as you keep saying you may be eligible for disability. I have a friend who is on disability due to depression and BPD. It's not easy to get - she had to go through a long process, with appeals - but it makes her life more tolerable. She also has a spouse with a decent job - he fixes trucks; he's not some Wall Street-er - but I would really, really recommend trying to find friends/partners who you feel safe with, too.

You've talked yourself into this deep hole. I hope your therapist can help you understand that objectively your situation is not as terrible or doomed as it feels.

I think taking out $80k in mostly predatory private student loan lenders is terrible.

They will be gone in 10 years. You're not cutting off your arm forever. Or don't do it and enroll at a cheaper school! But you will have some loans coming out, so just build that into your plans and understanding of what you will be doing for the next 10 years.

I paid off $160k in loans over 20 years while working mainly as a writer, and not some fancy highly paid writer either. Not recommended! But trust me if I can do this you can do it.