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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
  
Location: Texas | So i've been set on a private university for a while and it is super expensive. I qualify for a scholarship that makes it do able if I live at home. This is a nationally ranked school. I wanna say like number 85 in the nation? I've also been considering another state school recently(not nationally ranked, but not a bad school), they have a beautiful campus, it's right outside AustinTX, I found an amazing place to live, I could rush to be in a sorority there(which for some reason seems important in my head). I just feel like i'm getting a lot more out of the state school. It's a hard decision because I've been dreaming of going to this private school for 4 years now and my dads really pushing me to take that route. My heart is telling me state school and my brain is telling me private. Any help on how to decide? | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I went with what would be the cheapest and graduated with zero debt. No regrets. | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| What do your financials looks like after school? Do you project you'll have to take out loans for one or the other? Student loans suck, and that's coming from someone who doesn't have many (and someone who hopes to pay them off in 90 days! Yee Yee!)
What is the rate of employment in the chosen field for seniors 6 months after graduation?
Consider that extra curricular activities look great on a resume as well. As someone who occasional recruits I would rather see a well rounded student with extra curricular activities out of a good school with a solid GPA vs a "prestigious" private school with minimal extra curriculars because they couldn't be afforded. I'm recruiting for a business/ag business type field though - so that could be different if you're end goal is medical school or something, I don't know. | |
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | Im getting my degree in Marketing and my parents will pay for my school, which i'm very thankful for!
Right now it seems like where I go to school is the only thing that even matters in my life, which i'm sure won't be a big deal 5-10 years from now. I'm not worried about not finding a job as marketing is something that everyone needs so the demand seems pretty high. I do feel I would be involved in a lot more at the state school.
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  Expert of all Expert...
Location: Arizona | In general, quality is more important than experience. What end result do you expect out of college? It should be education and skills, not social. If social is most important to you, go the route that will save your parents money until you're ready to focus and be serious with their investment.Is there some added value in a marketing degree from big name private u over a local/state school? You should be able to quantify that as part of your decision, too.You can build an enjoyable experience anywhere-it is what you make it. You can't necessarily build greater quality and value than is inherently resident in the program you choose.
Edited by roan critter 2015-02-09 7:13 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | I think it depends on what you go to school for. Private looks better when you are planning on continuing to grad school or going into politics, I think. For marketing though, I don't think it matters as much. Who knows, maybe you'll want an MBA after?? I went for engineering and hold the same position now as some private school grads. We make the same, but he's paying a lot more in student loans than I am! Which, you said you're parents are paying for... I guess it doesn't matter then! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| If you have an idea of what type of marketing you may want to do, or some companies you may want to work, see if they recruit at either of the schools you are looking at. You can get a good job out of school through either one, but giving yourself the advantage of getting in front of recruiters while still in school will be a good start! | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 340
| If you haven't considered Tarleton State in Stephenville you should. Beautiful campus, cool small town, TONS of barrel races, an hourish from Fort Worth, 3rd cheapest State university and growing extremely quickly. HUGE sense of family here, if you're going through a door and someone is going before you they are guaranteed to hold the door open for you. Plenty of really nice sororities. I think that being where you're going to be happy is the most important thing. I know tons of people who just don't like the small town atmosphere and are miserable. A good education is important, but so is having fun and enjoying yourself. You only get to do this once. | |
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | RustyLove - 2015-02-09 9:08 PM If you haven't considered Tarleton State in Stephenville you should. Beautiful campus, cool small town, TONS of barrel races, an hourish from Fort Worth, 3rd cheapest State university and growing extremely quickly. HUGE sense of family here, if you're going through a door and someone is going before you they are guaranteed to hold the door open for you. Plenty of really nice sororities. I think that being where you're going to be happy is the most important thing. I know tons of people who just don't like the small town atmosphere and are miserable. A good education is important, but so is having fun and enjoying yourself. You only get to do this once.
I toured Tarleton and loved the campus, but I could never live in Stephenville... It is just not for me. The 2 schools i'm looking at are Texas State University and Southern Methodist University. Both in big cities which is what I think works best for me, I live in Weatherford currently and am really unhappy. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| Didn't read the whole thread, so sorry if this has been answered - but are you talking undergrad or graduate school? And if it's undergrad, do you plan on attending grad school? If you do, I don't think it matters where you do your undergrad unless you're really trying to get into a prestigious grad school. They're just generals - seriously not going to matter when it's all said and done. I was one of those people in high school that said I HAVE to go to a good school - and then I ended up at a state school an hour from me and I'm SO glad I did. Generals are generals pretty much anywhere you go and I would have hated spending $20k a semester just to go to a "good school". | |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I went to a private, prestigious high school and college. I'm back at the same college getting my masters. I think it definitely sets me apart from the crowd, plus a lot of folks I work with went to the same college so it's a nice way to connect. | |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| outrundaizy - 2015-02-09 11:29 PM
RustyLove - 2015-02-09 9:08 PM If you haven't considered Tarleton State in Stephenville you should. Beautiful campus, cool small town, TONS of barrel races, an hourish from Fort Worth, 3rd cheapest State university and growing extremely quickly. HUGE sense of family here, if you're going through a door and someone is going before you they are guaranteed to hold the door open for you. Plenty of really nice sororities. I think that being where you're going to be happy is the most important thing. I know tons of people who just don't like the small town atmosphere and are miserable. A good education is important, but so is having fun and enjoying yourself. You only get to do this once.
I toured Tarleton and loved the campus, but I could never live in Stephenville... It is just not for me. The 2 schools i'm looking at are Texas State University and Southern Methodist University. Both in big cities which is what I think works best for me, I live in Weatherford currently and am really unhappy.
Oh boy, you and I are so different! A big city to me is 60,000 people. Places like ft worth, Houston, Austin etc just aren't even feasible. Stephenville is like Mecca to me.
Sooo, honestly, private school for you, along with the sorority etc etc is probably going to make you happiest in the long run, along with the great place to live and city culture there. That's what gets my vote! Do what makes you happy! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Three 4 Luck - 2015-02-09 6:24 PM I went with what would be the cheapest and graduated with zero debt. No regrets.
THIS ^^
Now, I realize you are not paying for your schooling - however, take it from people who did - "quality" can be found at a state school. Your education is what you make of it. Yes, a piece of paper that states you graduated from "insert big Uni. name here" will get your foot in the door but if you don't interview well, don't intereact well with others, and have a resume of jobs and work experience behind you ... well, no one wants to hire you regaurdless of the demand in that market.
SO - my 2 cents - go to the school that will offer the best opportunities for your career. Not the social aspects, but what can YOU get out of the school that will set you up for the career that will pay your bills when you graduate, allow you keep your horses, and will set you up for retirement and financial peace? Choose that schoool. | |
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 Thick and Wavy
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Location: Nebraska | Quality hands down for me. You need to look at what each school will offer you as far as you getting where you want to be in your career. I went to both a public University and a private school. I HATED the public school. There, I was treated as a number and I truly felt that no one cared whether I excelled or not. I did have a full ride there so I got all my gen ed's done and got the heck out!
After that, I went to a private nursing school. Since I had no loans from my gen ed's, I didn't end up with much more debt than "normal" as far as student loans go. I owe about what a new car costs, which I don't think is bad at all. Anyway, the private school was much smaller and I was treated as a person. Our instructors were much more helpful because they weren't teaching lectures with 400 students. I think there were about 40 in my program. My school also was well known for having 100% board passing rate the first time and also a 96% rate for graduates having jobs within 6 months. That was important to me. I ended up graduating, passing boards the first try, and having a job within 1 month of me graduating on the floor that I wanted to be on.
It all depends on what you want to get out of college. I wanted a career. Because I got a quality education, I think I got a great experience. Although my college experience is anything but a typical one :) | |
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 Color My World
Posts: 4940
Location: My perfect world bubble | SMU - HANDS DOWN!!! Much better school and much better job opportunities upon graduation. I wouldn't think twice about this. Plus uptown & the SMU area is great for college kids - even if you're at home you can still be involved in the SMU community and have a great experience. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Marketing is not one of those majors where attending a prestigious school is going to give you a huge advantage. (Think doctor, lawyer, etc.)
Your experience is going to give you the advantage in a field like that. Getting involved in activities/groups/etc that relate to your field.
I think state schools are better equipped to provide that experience. You don't have to devote all of your efforts to your studies. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 146
| I think its more important to attend a college that is well known for what ever your are majoring in. So lets say you were wanting to major in Physics, attending MIT would probably be more important for your future. You need to be at a school that is going to give you the best experience in your field. Doesn't really matter if its private, state or otherwise. Personally, I don't find that sororities benefit your education all that much. You need to concentrate on school and studies. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| 4Horse - 2015-02-10 2:08 PM
I think its more important to attend a college that is well known for what ever your are majoring in. So lets say you were wanting to major in Physics, attending MIT would probably be more important for your future. You need to be at a school that is going to give you the best experience in your field. Doesn't really matter if its private, state or otherwise. Personally, I don't find that sororities benefit your education all that much. You need to concentrate on school and studies.
I wasn't part of a sorority in college, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you in this instance. For someone going into marketing, a sorority can be a huge asset - maybe not as much during the years you are in college, but you will reap the rewards in your career. In marketing, people skills and connections with others are your two greatest assets, and a sorority is the perfect place to develop those. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-11 9:50 AM 4Horse - 2015-02-10 2:08 PM I think its more important to attend a college that is well known for what ever your are majoring in. So lets say you were wanting to major in Physics, attending MIT would probably be more important for your future. You need to be at a school that is going to give you the best experience in your field. Doesn't really matter if its private, state or otherwise. Personally, I don't find that sororities benefit your education all that much. You need to concentrate on school and studies. I wasn't part of a sorority in college, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you in this instance. For someone going into marketing, a sorority can be a huge asset - maybe not as much during the years you are in college, but you will reap the rewards in your career. In marketing, people skills and connections with others are your two greatest assets, and a sorority is the perfect place to develop those.
I think the important thing to remember about sororities/fraternities/extracurricular activities, is that while they are fun in college...you are making connections. Those connections could serve you very well in your career. I know that I got my first job out of college because of someone I went to school with that was a few years older than me. His referral helped me get the interview. Make your time in college count - get to know professors well (great references!), do research or special projects, and meet as many people as you can. You never know where you will end up in your career, it's nice to know people that could help you get to where you want to be. | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Quality is way more important, IMO. You're going to be done with college in 4(?) years. The rest of your life is impacted by your education. How much money you make, where you work, etc, etc. Having warm fuzzies for your school and being in a sorority is only temporary then is worthless once you graduate. Also college is a rip off so if you have a scholarship then don't throw that away. Personally I HATE college and can not wait to be done. Granted I have NO idea what I want to do.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2015-02-11 1:01 PM
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | BamaCanChaser - 2015-02-10 1:19 PM Marketing is not one of those majors where attending a prestigious school is going to give you a huge advantage. (Think doctor, lawyer, etc.) Your experience is going to give you the advantage in a field like that. Getting involved in activities/groups/etc that relate to your field. I think state schools are better equipped to provide that experience. You don't have to devote all of your efforts to your studies.
What Bama said ^^^^^. I graduated with honors with a BS in Business Marketing thinking that I would be able to land a pharmaceutical sales job relatively quickly and work my way up. WRONG!!!! They wanted people with experience in outside sales. I had spent my summers and Christmas's in inside sales at a retail store and waiting tables in a restaurant, but they wanted documentable sales results, which I didn't have. Please don't count on a marketing degree to land you a great position right out of college.
Someone also mentioned sororities, etc and I would say that is something that you should do if you are interested in it. I was not in a sorority, but I have friends that were and the networking and contacts she made were very beneficial to her after graduation.
I will say that there are some bragging rights to attending and graduating from a private university. I did not, but I did take summer classes throughout college at a small, prestigious, private university and enjoyed it very much. I take pride in having attended that school probably more than the one I graduated from.
Good luck with what you choose to do. I don't know that there is necessarily a wrong answer here. It's your choice and I think you will have fun and do well either way! | |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | Between the two schools you stated, this is really a no-brainer. SMU has a good reputation. Texas State is known as a party school......really that is all it is known for. Personally, I think you need to open your options back up. Have you considered Texas A&M, UNT, UTSA, or UT-Austin? As an Aggie, I can't believe I listed the last one. If you had been comparing A&M and UT against SMU, I would pick A&M and UT over SMU. The education you would get at A&M and UT is just as good, if not better, than SMU for the major you are considering. As far as networking goes, A&M and UT have way more alumni.
Even not living at home, you would receive a superb education at A&M or UT at a MUCH cheaper price than SMU and still have the option of rushing in a sorority. To me, SMU is more for those planning on going to law school or to find a rich spouse. UT is higher ranked than SMU even. Take the rankings with a grain of salt, universities have to pay to be included in the list.
But to me, in-state tuition at SMU will run almost $46,000/year; whereas, UT and A&M will be about $10,000. (Neither of those include all the added fees that are extra.) Also, a recent study found that A&M had the highest rate of return on the investment...basically, its graduates earn more in relation to the money spent for attending.
Edited by aggiejudger 2015-02-11 2:29 PM
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 Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | aggiejudger - 2015-02-11 2:25 PM Between the two schools you stated, this is really a no-brainer. SMU has a good reputation. Texas State is known as a party school......really that is all it is known for. Personally, I think you need to open your options back up. Have you considered Texas A&M, UNT, UTSA, or UT-Austin? As an Aggie, I can't believe I listed the last one. If you had been comparing A&M and UT against SMU, I would pick A&M and UT over SMU. The education you would get at A&M and UT is just as good, if not better, than SMU for the major you are considering. As far as networking goes, A&M and UT have way more alumni.
Even not living at home, you would receive a superb education at A&M or UT at a MUCH cheaper price than SMU and still have the option of rushing in a sorority. To me, SMU is more for those planning on going to law school or to find a rich spouse. UT is higher ranked than SMU even. Take the rankings with a grain of salt, universities have to pay to be included in the list.
But to me, in-state tuition at SMU will run almost $46,000/year; whereas, UT and A&M will be about $10,000. (Neither of those include all the added fees that are extra.) Also, a recent study found that A&M had the highest rate of return on the investment...basically, its graduates earn more in relation to the money spent for attending.
Since you are dead set on going to College, what Aggiejudger details has more revelance on this thread than any other post.  (And I can't believe I am actually endorsing UT Austin, I HATE Austin hehehehe) | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| I would really advise against Texas State. Like Aggiejudger said it is ONLY known as a party school and all the people I know who have gone there have only used it as a springboard transfer school to get into a bigger and better university. I do not know much about SMU but do not see the advantage in paying private tuition for a marketing degree. Like stated before, it is more about experience than what degree you have from where.
There are a lot of other great state schools to consider, and really Texas State would be close to the bottom of my list.
I have to ask since I went to school there, have you given any thought to Texas Tech? Their Rawls Business college would be a top notch place to get a marketing degree, and several of my close friends have landed superb jobs right out of the Ag Marketing school (i.e. AQHA, NCHA, punched ticket to law school, etc.)
Big decision! Give it a lot of thought!
Edited by kboltwkreations 2015-02-11 4:28 PM
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 Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | kboltwkreations - 2015-02-11 4:27 PM I would really advise against Texas State. Like Aggiejudger said it is ONLY known as a party school and all the people I know who have gone there have only used it as a springboard transfer school to get into a bigger and better university. I do not know much about SMU but do not see the advantage in paying private tuition for a marketing degree. Like stated before, it is more about experience than what degree you have from where. There are a lot of other great state schools to consider, and really Texas State would be close to the bottom of my list. I have to ask since I went to school there, have you given any thought to Texas Tech? Their Rawls Business college would be a top notch place to get a marketing degree, and several of my close friends have landed superb jobs right out of the Ag Marketing school (i.e. AQHA, NCHA, punched ticket to law school, etc.) Big decision! Give it a lot of thought!
FINALLY someone is talking some sense! Good call Kbolt(fellow alumna)! Guns up! 
Seriously, I graduated from Tech and was not in a sorority(GDI) but I had friends that were in fraternities and sororities and we have all done well in life.
I knew a few people from high school that went to SMU and three did not finish there. It is extremely preppy but still a great education. Texas State, also known as Southwest to the oldies here, was always considered a party school but I can say that a lot of people said that about Tech, too. I had friends at both A&M and UT and while I was going to Tech a bunch of us drove to Austin and College Station for a few quick weekends my freshman and sophmore year and I never saw more partying than at A&M! Those folks can let loose!  Of course partying can be found at ANY college/university, so eh.
SMU is really pricey but I agree with others that there are many good state universities right here in the Lone Star state. Good luck and go get that degree! | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 164
| Woohoo for other Texas Tech grads! I went to Texas Tech too...it was a great school, great serious education, plus good sororities and fraternities and plenty of experience in the mid sized town. You should really give it a look. I am in agreement with everyone saying SMU is a bit overkill and Texas State is probably not the best option. UT and A&M are excellent options as well! | |
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | I never saw myself going to A&M... I've just never really considered it, but it has come accross my mind lately. I'm not worried about getting into these schools, but I am worried about getting into the business school. I have a 3.0 after my 1st semester in college and hopefully it will only get higher from there. I'm glad I asked on here because I know everyone will be brutally honest with me.
1 plan for me would be going to UTD in the fall and transfering to Austin or staying in Dallas.
or going to A&M, I could go tour there.. And I could tour Tech aswell.. I am scared with Tech and A&M that I wouldn't like not being in the city. I've grown up my whole life living 15 min from Dallas, I can see the city from my backyard.
Thank you guys for helping me. I do want to get an education not just a degree. The only thing with SMU is I am worried about everything just getting too expensive, I don't want my dad paying over the top for everything when he doesn't have to. Even with the scholarship living at home SMU would be $72,000 more than going to state school and having an apartment, meal plan, and living costs. | |
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | I never saw myself going to A&M... I've just never really considered it, but it has come accross my mind lately. I'm not worried about getting into these schools, but I am worried about getting into the business school. I have a 3.0 after my 1st semester in college and hopefully it will only get higher from there. I'm glad I asked on here because I know everyone will be brutally honest with me.
1 plan for me would be going to UTD in the fall and transfering to Austin or staying in Dallas.
or going to A&M, I could go tour there.. And I could tour Tech aswell.. I am scared with Tech and A&M that I wouldn't like not being in the city. I've grown up my whole life living 15 min from Dallas, I can see the city from my backyard.
Thank you guys for helping me. I do want to get an education not just a degree. The only thing with SMU is I am worried about everything just getting too expensive, I don't want my dad paying over the top for everything when he doesn't have to. Even with the scholarship living at home SMU would be $72,000 more than going to state school and having an apartment, meal plan, and living costs. | |
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Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | outrundaizy - 2015-02-11 6:20 PM I never saw myself going to A&M... I've just never really considered it, but it has come accross my mind lately. I'm not worried about getting into these schools, but I am worried about getting into the business school. I have a 3.0 after my 1st semester in college and hopefully it will only get higher from there. I'm glad I asked on here because I know everyone will be brutally honest with me.
1 plan for me would be going to UTD in the fall and transfering to Austin or staying in Dallas.
or going to A&M, I could go tour there.. And I could tour Tech aswell.. I am scared with Tech and A&M that I wouldn't like not being in the city. I've grown up my whole life living 15 min from Dallas, I can see the city from my backyard.
Thank you guys for helping me. I do want to get an education not just a degree. The only thing with SMU is I am worried about everything just getting too expensive, I don't want my dad paying over the top for everything when he doesn't have to. Even with the scholarship living at home SMU would be $72,000 more than going to state school and having an apartment, meal plan, and living costs.
If you get the chance to visit Lubbock or College Station, DO IT! Neither one have a small town atmosphere. Go visit! Both have great business schools.
The biggest thing for me is this: you will pay at least FOUR times as much to attend SMU than you would Tech or A&M and not have a better education. Not only that, A&M's network is superb. I've been hired ahead of others based upon being an Aggie. That ring opens more doors by simply sitting on my finger.
And as someone pointed out, Aggies do know how to party but we also get the job done in the classroom. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| outrundaizy - 2015-02-11 6:20 PM
I never saw myself going to A&M... I've just never really considered it, but it has come accross my mind lately. I'm not worried about getting into these schools, but I am worried about getting into the business school. I have a 3.0 after my 1st semester in college and hopefully it will only get higher from there. I'm glad I asked on here because I know everyone will be brutally honest with me.
1 plan for me would be going to UTD in the fall and transfering to Austin or staying in Dallas.
or going to A&M, I could go tour there.. And I could tour Tech aswell.. I am scared with Tech and A&M that I wouldn't like not being in the city. I've grown up my whole life living 15 min from Dallas, I can see the city from my backyard.
Thank you guys for helping me. I do want to get an education not just a degree. The only thing with SMU is I am worried about everything just getting too expensive, I don't want my dad paying over the top for everything when he doesn't have to. Even with the scholarship living at home SMU would be $72,000 more than going to state school and having an apartment, meal plan, and living costs.
Just another aspect to consider...do you want to live at home, or do you want to have your own place? Personally, I really loved having my own place during college - not because I don't love my family, but because it made me get out of my comfort zone and be more self-reliant! On the flip side, I had plenty of friends who lived at home during college as well, and they loved not having to worry about rent, roommates, etc. You just have to decide what's right for you! | |
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What is more important, experience vs quality? OT- college