College in hindsight

[Anonymous]

My daughter passed up several higher ranked OOS schools to go to a regional university that's in-state. She is a teacher so even though we could afford the OOS schools with the merit aid she received, she wanted to save some of her money for grad school, which is also in-state. She will still have money leftover in her 529 and will either move it into a 401K or use it for her own kids' college education someday. When she was applying to schools she realized she would never make a lot of money as a teacher and thought her college savings could be better spent elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child went to a regional university, not top 100 school, community college...Do you think it hurt them in life at all? Trying to get perspective on all this from people with older children.

Any of these are perfectly acceptable options for any student. The goal is to find the program that fits THEM and your budget.

[Anonymous]

I’m absolutely over the idea of these so called “ top schools” there are a lot of great schools, programs out there. Lots of people go to schools other than what are so-called “top”.
Bunch of bull💩.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child went to a regional university, not top 100 school, community college...Do you think it hurt them in life at all? Trying to get perspective on all this from people with older children.

I see mixed results but yes a hard working, smart and outgoing student can absolutely go places without a top 100 school.

For an average student, a top school would be a better choice.

True. I know of 2 people who came from small towns and went to regional schools because it's all they knew; both are very smart and hardworking; both got an MBA at a better school; both are now working in financial services, making a strong 7-figure salary plus investments. A highly motivated kid will make their way. My kinds, however, probably need every advantage we're giving them to end up UMC.

[Anonymous]

I had a daughter who started at a top 100 school (and very close to the 100 part) and she dropped out and went to cc and works part time. Plans to go back to UMD in a couple years. Others who judge may call her a failure. It's just a different path, and it's working out quite well so far.
Other DD went to Towson, not a top 100 school. This DD has not such great test scores or IQ, however her soft skills are spot on. She is articulate, looks at you when speaking, always on time, presentable, and engaging, responsible. Those skills will take her far. I would not call either of them a failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a daughter who started at a top 100 school (and very close to the 100 part) and she dropped out and went to cc and works part time. Plans to go back to UMD in a couple years. Others who judge may call her a failure. It's just a different path, and it's working out quite well so far.
Other DD went to Towson, not a top 100 school. This DD has not such great test scores or IQ, however her soft skills are spot on. She is articulate, looks at you when speaking, always on time, presentable, and engaging, responsible. Those skills will take her far. I would not call either of them a failure.

They will be 100% fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a daughter who started at a top 100 school (and very close to the 100 part) and she dropped out and went to cc and works part time. Plans to go back to UMD in a couple years. Others who judge may call her a failure. It's just a different path, and it's working out quite well so far.
Other DD went to Towson, not a top 100 school. This DD has not such great test scores or IQ, however her soft skills are spot on. She is articulate, looks at you when speaking, always on time, presentable, and engaging, responsible. Those skills will take her far. I would not call either of them a failure.

Because you’re an awesome parent who doesn’t feel the need to live your life through them. I wish there were more people like you around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We can help with more info. Doesn’t need to be identifiable. Grades/scores, junior or senior, region, extra curriculars, jobs, overall disposition, what’s his passion, is he artistic, musical, tech, athlete, extroverted, strengths/weaknesses other than academic, what you can pay for college. You’ll find posters here are great with recommendations in this forum. Probably better than college counselors. Trust!

Junior. Very outgoing, has a job at a food server. His passion is fitness, sports in general. He is on two varsity teams. He is rarely not being active, loves the gym, being at the park with friends playing football, golf, climbing, biking, skateboarding, basically any sport. He's also been in band since 6th grade (but doesn't want to continue in college) His score is a 1250 so not high (he will retake). He is an A student in everything but not the top student at anything, not into any academic subjects at all, though he really loves his History class (great teacher) and likes anything environmental. He doesn't know what he wants to do in life at all, aside from not a desk job. He needs to move and be active to be happy. We can pay up to 45k/year but would prefer paying less as we also have another dc going to college soon.

Sounds like a great kid. High school teacher? Or finance since he’s outgoing (although would have desk time).

[Anonymous]

I'm an adult (early 30s) with
- two AAs from Community College
- BS from regional west coast college
- MS from regional midwest college

DCUM would call them junk degrees. But they were affordable and served my career really well. My office of highly educated people, from a mix of universities. It has not held me back at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an adult (early 30s) with
- two AAs from Community College
- BS from regional west coast college
- MS from regional midwest college

DCUM would call them junk degrees. But they were affordable and served my career really well. My office of highly educated people, from a mix of universities. It has not held me back at all.

And quite honestly, the majority of people have a story that is similar to yours and are doing very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Northwestern, which my mother says was a mistake as I am a SAHM. She said she liked bragging about the brand name but I didnt do anything with the degree.

I went there too! Go Wildcats! But it’s helped me a lot in my career. But not in the middle, more now that I am 20 years in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We can help with more info. Doesn’t need to be identifiable. Grades/scores, junior or senior, region, extra curriculars, jobs, overall disposition, what’s his passion, is he artistic, musical, tech, athlete, extroverted, strengths/weaknesses other than academic, what you can pay for college. You’ll find posters here are great with recommendations in this forum. Probably better than college counselors. Trust!

Junior. Very outgoing, has a job at a food server. His passion is fitness, sports in general. He is on two varsity teams. He is rarely not being active, loves the gym, being at the park with friends playing football, golf, climbing, biking, skateboarding, basically any sport. He's also been in band since 6th grade (but doesn't want to continue in college) His score is a 1250 so not high (he will retake). He is an A student in everything but not the top student at anything, not into any academic subjects at all, though he really loves his History class (great teacher) and likes anything environmental. He doesn't know what he wants to do in life at all, aside from not a desk job. He needs to move and be active to be happy. We can pay up to 45k/year but would prefer paying less as we also have another dc going to college soon.

Sounds like a great kid. High school teacher? Or finance since he’s outgoing (although would have desk time).

Nps park ranger

So hard to get that job tho

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an adult (early 30s) with
- two AAs from Community College
- BS from regional west coast college
- MS from regional midwest college

DCUM would call them junk degrees. But they were affordable and served my career really well. My office of highly educated people, from a mix of universities. It has not held me back at all.

And quite honestly, the majority of people have a story that is similar to yours and are doing very well.

I have no problem with where anyone goes to college, but on average, graduates from middling regional colleges are only earning like $50k - $60k after 10 years. I don’t quite get how you can say the majority are “doing very well”.

Pick any school you want and look at the stats. Take Frostburg State and it’s $52k after 10 years.

Yes, your major matters and yes there are motivated success stories…but to say the majority are doing very well is a stretch.

[Anonymous]

The training degrees are very valuable. They have programs that have you certified for U/S tech, MRI plus.

Cars engines have become super complicated computer generated with each brand a specialty

They have computer science and engineering degrees. You can apply for jobs with that or can continue on to a four year college.

They’re a good start for kids who aren’t sure what they want or if they know they want a specific career and the cc has the degree.

[Anonymous]

Obviously being one and attending school with other IQ crème de la crème has its advantages but everyone has to decide according to what schools they can get admitted attend and afford to pay for.

Just pick what works best for you, among your available options and forget what others are doing. You'll be successful if you walk your path and work hard to do your best.