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College and Student Loans
For those who don't know, I'm 17 years old and a junior in high school. I live in a suburb of Los Angeles, California and want to major in Information Technology.
There are no institute of technology schools in California save for CalTech, which doesn't offer IT. Every UC(University of California) school except for UCLA, however, does including Berkley and San Diego. I've always had it in the back of my mind to go out of state to an _IT school such as RIT, IIT, etc. This thought hadn't been spilled from my mouth until today, where immediately afterwards my parents asserted that I would receive absolutely zero financial aide if I was to go to college out of state.
My parents have always been overprotective and give me relatively little freedom. I want my college experience one where I can gain real world experience, learn to deal with things on my own, and learn how to be come a functioning and independent human being. Their desire is that I stay close to home and go to one of the closer UCs like Long Beach or Santa Monica or even go to the local community college for a few semesters and live at home, but I don't think I could feel wholly independent anywhere inside the state, even if I went as far as San Francisco or San Diego.
On the other hand, I'm fearful of being under so much debt if I take out student loans to go out of state. I feel like I'm going to be off to such a slow start on my life after college with all the money I would owe, money that would take years to pay off. But would the life experience be worth it?
There are no institute of technology schools in California save for CalTech, which doesn't offer IT. Every UC(University of California) school except for UCLA, however, does including Berkley and San Diego. I've always had it in the back of my mind to go out of state to an _IT school such as RIT, IIT, etc. This thought hadn't been spilled from my mouth until today, where immediately afterwards my parents asserted that I would receive absolutely zero financial aide if I was to go to college out of state.
My parents have always been overprotective and give me relatively little freedom. I want my college experience one where I can gain real world experience, learn to deal with things on my own, and learn how to be come a functioning and independent human being. Their desire is that I stay close to home and go to one of the closer UCs like Long Beach or Santa Monica or even go to the local community college for a few semesters and live at home, but I don't think I could feel wholly independent anywhere inside the state, even if I went as far as San Francisco or San Diego.
On the other hand, I'm fearful of being under so much debt if I take out student loans to go out of state. I feel like I'm going to be off to such a slow start on my life after college with all the money I would owe, money that would take years to pay off. But would the life experience be worth it?
Comments
If you want your college experience to test yourself on how you would do in the real world just go to a state school and live on campus. Just tell your parents not to assist you unless it's an emergency, and you'll be alright.
I'd pretty much concur with Gunfire's advice, but I'd also add that if you're worried about financial things, I think one of the best things you can do is work enough to get really good grades, because merit scholarships don't care at all about location, and they can help a lot. Also, mise well apply to a couple out of state schools and see what happens.
Forget this thread. I've calmed down now.
First, don't live with your parents.
Two, don't call your parents for help unless it's a big problem that they should be involved in. If you go to jail, call them. If you have a problem with a teacher, deal with it.
Three, don't go home except on holidays and other times.
Location is an important factor in choosing a college, however you shouldn't prioritize location over education. If you can't find a place that teaches the subject matter you want well enough, you should go further away to find a place. An expensive education you want is more worthwhile than a less expensive education you don't want, or sucks. This is at least four years of your life you are spending here, don't waste it.
Don't worry about student loans either. Unless you get way more loans than is normal, you won't be buried in debt. Student loans are backed by the feds, and have very low interest rates. If you do go into technology, you should be able to get a job very quickly. If you are good, you will definitely make enough money for student loan payments.
If you can work it out so that you can go to school far enough away within the state to be independent while still having the benefit of your parents paying for school, do it. However, you will also need to get some power in your court in case they decide to leverage that against you for control. When you get to college, make sure you get a job on or off campus, make some good friends that you'd feel comfortable sharing an apartment with if necessary, and line up some internships in your field a soon as your major/advisor recommends. Merit scholarships and grants are also a great way to go. You'll want as solid a foundation as you can for when you leave school or should your parents pull the plug on your money for whatever reason.
I think the biggest lie I was ever fed as a child was that adults are infallible and beyond reproach. While children do need guidance and to be socialized/enculturated into the world, having a physically matured body and the accordant social status does not entitle anyone to marginalize another person for the sake of solidifying their own upper hand in a power relationship. Baby boomers are preoccupied with control, and I wonder why. Thoughts?
Of course this is anecdotal evidence, but I notice one thing that all non-helicopter parents have in common are interests of their own. If kids haven't left yet, they will often fantasize about what they will do when the kids are out of the house. If the kids have left the house, they will often work towards those fantasies in retirement.
Helicopter parents seem to be the opposite. These are people with no lives outside of raising their children. They have invested 18+ years of time into raising their children, and not much else. If their children become adults and move out, these people have nothing left to live for. Helicoptering is the obvious result.
Well, maybe you could join the Army.
Oh wait - maybe you could sell GRIT.
Independence is not so much about physical distance as it is a state of mind. If you would feel more comfortable going out of state, then get cracking on filling out those scholarship applications, but keep in mind you can be independent by moving across town. You need to be honest with your parents. Next year, you will be an adult, and it might be a good idea to sit down and have that talk with them (sounds like you already have to some extent). I think that moving away would solve some of the problem but not all of it. You could leave the country and they'd still worry about you and want constant updates. The most important thing is do your research and also follow your hunches. Go with what you really want, but be prepared for the consequences (student loans, etc.) If you do that, I think you will be happier.
College is not "real life". Real Life does not begin until you are several years into the work force.
I whole heartedly agree with gomidog (finally typed correctly after typing three times 'gomigod'). Life is one huge gray area concerning maturity, for you should never fully grow up. Act fully grown up, yes, be, no. You still have to be able to enjoy life. Grown ups moan, children smile.
Good idea, and double check if they can do this: take the money instead of putting it towards your tuition, and put it into a good savings account or investments or something of that like, probably something where you can take it back out if you ever need it. This way you can avoid spending it if you don't need to, AND make interest! When it comes time to pay it off, take out the original amount in that 6-month grace period, and give it back. Ta-da!