Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Major life decision here, wondering what people think...

Poppinjay · 09-23-2005, 09:25 AM

Hey, finally a question I can speak with authority on! I've worked for 5 colleges and have learned the ins and outs of this.

I don't know how it is in your state, but here (NC) a GED and HS diplome are different, and you can get either whether you're 16 or 99+. The Adult High School route is vastly preferable because it is a high school diploma, not a Good Enough Degree. So, think about that. GED's here require JuCo before a full blown four year college if you want to go to a state school

If you can go to college with a GED, do it. Remember that state schools are generally dirt cheap. Consider your living expenses in this equation, look at the college housing and meal plan. The room and board expense on most campuses works out to be far less than an apartment and buying your own groceries.

Consider these economics from our local university:

Room for an academic year in one of the 12 dorms: $3640
$3640/8 months = $455 a month.
This includes free wirless, minifridge, cable ready, in house learning lab and computer lab, free bus service to everywhere in town, security. I've lived in dorms with 30 year olds, so 22 won't be an incredible stretch by any means.

Board: go with the minimum plan, $1,075 a semester, this also gives you 200 "Pirate Bucks" a week which are acceptd at most restaurants around town. This deal can't be beat. For four months, you get nine meals a week (you stuff fruit and other things in your bookbag if you need more sustenance). In fact, I didn't know until now that these meal plans are also available to staff. D'oh!

Tuition: $1813 a semester. Even if you live off campus, this entitles you to free concerts from rock to world class orchestras, theatre, football games, free use of the health club, free use of campus facilities, art gallery, all those things that go with academic communities. Oh, and instruction from doctors and assorted geniuses.

Books: About $500 a semester. Book scholarships are a rapidly growing trend and can offset this.

So a year of the full college experience will cost about $10,500. More than half of your inheritance. But look at it this way, for that you get a home, warm meals, a huge variety of entertainment options, free bussing, and an education that will net you higher income and better lifestyle opportunities in the future.

Even if you don't spend the inheritance on it, school loans are the one time you can get an almost no percent loan no matter what a deadbeat you are. Also, absolutely check out scholarships. There are groups that give out scholarships if you're their religion, their same plight in life, poor, descended from native Americans, a junior civitan, anything you could imagine.

09-23-2005, 09:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	Hey, finally a question I can speak with authority on! I've worked for 5 colleges and have learned the ins and outs of this. I don't know how it is in your state, but here (NC) a GED and HS diplome are different, and you can get either whether you're 16 or 99+. The Adult High School route is vastly preferable because it is a high school diploma, not a Good Enough Degree. So, think about that. GED's here require JuCo before a full blown four year college if you want to go to a state school If you can go to college with a GED, do it. Remember that state schools are generally dirt cheap. Consider your living expenses in this equation, look at the college housing and meal plan. The room and board expense on most campuses works out to be far less than an apartment and buying your own groceries. Consider these economics from our local university: Room for an academic year in one of the 12 dorms: $3640 $3640/8 months = $455 a month. This includes free wirless, minifridge, cable ready, in house learning lab and computer lab, free bus service to everywhere in town, security. I've lived in dorms with 30 year olds, so 22 won't be an incredible stretch by any means. Board: go with the minimum plan, $1,075 a semester, this also gives you 200 "Pirate Bucks" a week which are acceptd at most restaurants around town. This deal can't be beat. For four months, you get nine meals a week (you stuff fruit and other things in your bookbag if you need more sustenance). In fact, I didn't know until now that these meal plans are also available to staff. D'oh! Tuition: $1813 a semester. Even if you live off campus, this entitles you to free concerts from rock to world class orchestras, theatre, football games, free use of the health club, free use of campus facilities, art gallery, all those things that go with academic communities. Oh, and instruction from doctors and assorted geniuses. Books: About $500 a semester. Book scholarships are a rapidly growing trend and can offset this. So a year of the full college experience will cost about $10,500. More than half of your inheritance. But look at it this way, for that you get a home, warm meals, a huge variety of entertainment options, free bussing, and an education that will net you higher income and better lifestyle opportunities in the future. Even if you don't spend the inheritance on it, school loans are the one time you can get an almost no percent loan no matter what a deadbeat you are. Also, absolutely check out scholarships. There are groups that give out scholarships if you're their religion, their same plight in life, poor, descended from native Americans, a junior civitan, anything you could imagine. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet Last edited by Poppinjay; 09-23-2005 at 07:23 PM..