College Advice

[ApeXX]

I've recently started seriously looking at colleges and I have to admit, I'm stumped. There are so many schools with so many different options that I just can't choose!

So for all of you that have completed college, I need some suggestions.

I'm looking get my bachelors in Computer Science with a major in either:

a) Technology Management

b) Network Engineering

So far my favorite school is The University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona. (http://www.UAT.edu) The biggest problems I see though are that tuition is high (my parents won't be happy) and it is self-proclaimed "Geek Friendly", which I think may be a little too hard core for me... (I want to go to college parties with women! )

So any advice, suggestions, and help is welcome! :tu:

 

[lpstong]

As far as finances go. Go apply online for your FAFSA(http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) If anyone asks you to pay any money for this. Run dont walk. Filling out the info is free and easy to fill out. Also register at www.fastweb.com there are plenty of scholarships and internships you can flip through. Also if one of your parents works and belongs to a Union. Many unions have scholarship funds for the children. Look at the Elks and VFW club as well.

Private schools will always eat your finances up quicker and even before starting school. So know what your budget is and how to budget. Learn how to cook as well to save on money.

The two fields you will always need to upgrade your skills like every 2 years or so. So be prepared to be educated often. You probably already know how often technology changes. So be prepared.

Have you also looked at the Univesity of Arizona?

 

[homebuyer]

Few Questions First

What is your cumulative GPA and class ranking?

Rate your propensity to go to the library on a Friday night instead of going to a party.

What is your cumulative attendance rate?

Discuss your ability to be content with being dirt poor for the next four years.

What kind of job would you be happy waking up to every Monday morning for the remainder of your life?

Do you want to graduate from college debt-free or with a monthly student loan payment? State the amount you would be comfortable paying back every month for ten years following graduation.

Where do you plan to live while attending school? On campus? At home? Rooming house? Frat?

How do you intend to pay for school?

Will your friends being going to college, too?

Are you going to college to learn or to party and meet women? Or both?

Sum up the main reason that you want to go to college.

 

[franchise]

Some advice from an old timer....

It's "almost" irrelevant IMHO where you end up going to school. If you are really focused and passionate about a specific discipline, that will dictate what you will get out of it. I've met many highly educated people that end up teaching their profession rather than being a force within their field of interest. I've also see many people go through the motions without any passion or excitement and they are ALWAYS surpassed by the guy/gal who is "hungry" to learn.

I've met far more people who I look up too that are financially independent, highly influential, and are "movers and shakers" who didn't even attend college let alone graduate and get "educated" there.

Keep in mind..i'm not knocking education (especially if you want to be a Dr/lawyer or trade professional...) then there is no option. I guess I've just seen too many people that go to college with the wrong mindset and ultimately don't get very far. So i think what you do in college is going to matter probably more than where you go.

A network of mentors (people who are successfully doing what you want to do) a lot of great books, passion, energy, commitment, discipline....those are the things that I've seen separate the winners from the losers. Add that to a good school....I believe you could be a force to be reckoned with.

There's a whole laundry list of other things....but most specific to choosing a school...I'd say that's how I would advise.

Good luck and sorry for the long winded post...hope it helps.

 

[whitebark]

That you want to go to college with an idea about meeting women says you are not ready to really learn what college has to teach you. I'm working on my second degree - this time a Masters and I wish I spent as much time learning the first time around as i am this time. School is expensive - and so are women! Pick one or the other but if you pick both at the same time you might find yourself broken hearted, broke in the pocketbook and not remembering what you should in order to get and keep a good job.

 

[CrazyTech]

Well, I haven't quite completed it yet - still a Junior and I am planning on grad school right now - but I do have a friend in our school's equivalent of the technology management degree. (I myself switched away from computer engineering.) The tech. management degree is interesting because he's being shown many different fields. He's been certified to build/repair laptops previously but they're going throw building desktops and so on - not particularly hard in that respect. However, he's also in a class learning VB Script and there are some other courses. In his case, I think this works well because this gives him the "official seal" with many things that he already new and wasn't yet certified in.

However, I'd advise you to look real hard at the network engineering major simply because this something that will be needed in a variety of areas for a long time coming. I think the potential for earnings is higher here and employment seems a little more certain here. My advice would be to check the employment rate websites for that kind of data.

 

[Achaias]

I graduated with a degree in Technology Support/Training Management. It's definitely worth it if you want to get a look at different technology fields i.e: Networking, programming, web design, etc... I know a lot of my friends who graduated with this degree are pretty much doing everything under the sun. If you are really looking to get into a certain field, I would recommend shadowing someone you know in that field. If not check online for internships, they make all the difference.

Two places you may want to check out that gives career stastics (starting salary, job turnover, etc...) are:

www.collegegrad.com/careers/index.shtml
http://www.bls.gov/k12/

There are tons of sites out there to help with this so good luck. Oh and when you go, there's nothing wrong with having a good time, college is fun, but take it seriously (its a lot of money to party and "meet women"). Anyways just my 2 cents.

Peace

 

[allabout42]

I'm looking get my bachelors in Computer Science with a major in either:

a) Technology Management

b) Network Engineering

If your planning to major in CS, you should watch some lectures first to see if it's what you like:
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/courses.php (cs61a/b/c)

 

[ApeXX]

That you want to go to college with an idea about meeting women says you are not ready to really learn what college has to teach you. Pick one or the other but if you pick both at the same time you might find yourself broken hearted, broke in the pocketbook and not remembering what you should in order to get and keep a good job.

It isn't what I want to college for, just a nice bonus. (And it was a joke!)

What is your cumulative GPA and class ranking?

Rate your propensity to go to the library on a Friday night instead of going to a party.

What is your cumulative attendance rate?

Discuss your ability to be content with being dirt poor for the next four years.

What kind of job would you be happy waking up to every Monday morning for the remainder of your life?

Do you want to graduate from college debt-free or with a monthly student loan payment? State the amount you would be comfortable paying back every month for ten years following graduation.

Where do you plan to live while attending school? On campus? At home? Rooming house? Frat?

How do you intend to pay for school?

Will your friends being going to college, too?

Are you going to college to learn or to party and meet women? Or both?

Sum up the main reason that you want to go to college.

I wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition!

To be honest, most of those I really can't answer now as I'm not sure myself.

Thanks for the replies folks, I really do appreciate it. There's a lot of helpful information you guys have given me.

 

[homebuyer]

I wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition!

To be honest, most of those I really can't answer now as I'm not sure myself.

Based upon your answer, I'd say you'd be better off going to an inexpensive community college until you can answer these questions. Good luck.

 

[lpstong]

Based upon your answer, I'd say you'd be better off going to an inexpensive community college until you can answer these questions. Good luck.

All the same questions still apply whether a community college(some are a 4yr), a university and or 9 month tech college. One should not look down on community colleges and those who got there. Many well known people started at community colleges. Albert Brooks, Ray Bradbury, Arnold Scharzenegger, James Dean, Tom Hanks, Jackie Robinson, Ross Perot, Fred Haise, Walt Disney, Calvin Klien, Arthur Goldberg. Look at their careers all starting from a community college. They were all serious and went far in their careers. Astronauts, Govenors, CEO, Presidential candidates, authors, actors, sports figures, fashion designers. A comment such as "you'd better off going to inexpensive community college is derogatory or should be rephrased. Many have benefited from such a level of education and all were serious about their career endeavors.

Although homebuyers questions are valid, do not overlook your own choices and or community colleges. Atleast you have narrowed yourself down to 2 decisions. Many juniors are indecisive about whether or not they want to go to college and if so what they would like to study. You are a few steps ahead and at least you are looking at various educational institutions. Bravo and kudos.

I myself finally am going back to school after a 19 year break of taking care of children. I have always have had a yearning to study and practice law. I am as motivated now as I was back than. I am 40 years old and do not let people and or lifes situations deter you from your goals and dreams. You may need to take a break in the journey like I did. So just do it and keep at it till you achieve what you wanted.

Btw - I started college Wednesday - Full time. I am 40(widow) with a 14 and 19 year old. I work as a home health aide(part time). As well as as domain buying and blogging. So you dont let things deter you. Even comments. Keep at it.

Cheers.........

 

[homebuyer]

All the same questions still apply whether a community college(some are a 4yr), a university and or 9 month tech college. One should not look down on community colleges and those who got there. Many well known people started at community colleges. Albert Brooks, Ray Bradbury, Arnold Scharzenegger, James Dean, Tom Hanks, Jackie Robinson, Ross Perot, Fred Haise, Walt Disney, Calvin Klien, Arthur Goldberg. Look at their careers all starting from a community college. They were all serious and went far in their careers. Astronauts, Govenors, CEO, Presidential candidates, authors, actors, sports figures, fashion designers. A comment such as "you'd better off going to inexpensive community college is derogatory or should be rephrased. Many have benefitted froms such a level of education and all were serious about their career endeavors.

True, but my point was that it is cheaper to "find yourself" at community college than at a four-year institution of higher debt. Nothing will hinder your post-degree plans more than being saddled with a lot of student loans.

Moving along, just so we're clear here, I never looked down on a community college education when I suggested it as a possible choice for ApeXX. I began my studies part-time at one that had an entire student population of less than 100. I earned maybe 40 semester units there before transferring to a major state university, where I earned my B.A. To this day, I remember my fellow community college classmates as some of the smartest and most serious and dedicated students I have ever known.

 

[ApeXX]

Based upon your answer, I'd say you'd be better off going to an inexpensive community college until you can answer these questions. Good luck.

Whether your insinuating I'm not intelligent enough for a 4 year college or not, I don't know, but either way I find your comment a little insulting and blunt.

I'm only entering my Junior year of High School and have a lot to think about. It's perfectly natural that at this point I don't know if I want to live on campus or in a fraternity. I created this thread for advice because I don't know what I want to do.

If I had all the answers, I wouldn't be here asking for your advice.

 

[homebuyer]

Whether your insinuating I'm not intelligent enough for a 4 year college or not, I don't know, but either way I find your comment a little insulting and blunt.

If I had all the answers, I wouldn't be here asking for your advice.

And we gave it to you, based upon your answers. Furthermore, you ended your first post with "So any advice, suggestions, and help is welcome!" And again, we gave you what you asked for. Moreover, I, and another poster, made it clear to you that we do not look down upon a community college education. Perhaps you should read our posts again before you make such an unjustified claim.

 

[lpstong]

And we gave it to you, based upon your answers. Furthermore, you ended your first post with "So any advice, suggestions, and help is welcome!" And again, we gave you what you asked for. Moreover, I, and another poster, made it clear to you that we do not look down upon a community college education. Perhaps you should read our posts again before you make such an unjustified claim.

Going to a University does not make one more serious minded. This is the point that is being made. Your comment is deragotory and insulting. And I know there will be no apologies whatsoever from you. Your attitude about there being a difference of a serious student between a community college and a university is very narrow minded. To bad you may have looked over my previous statement of those who have gone to a 2 year and did well in their lives. Point being there is no difference in the seriousness of a 2 year and a university level student.

 

[Mike]

And we gave it to you, based upon your answers. Furthermore, you ended your first post with "So any advice, suggestions, and help is welcome!" And again, we gave you what you asked for. Moreover, I, and another poster, made it clear to you that we do not look down upon a community college education. Perhaps you should read our posts again before you make such an unjustified claim.

You need to seriously chill out. The guy just entered his JUNIOR year in high school. I know tons of examples of juniors in HS that are interested in anything BUT thinking about college.

ApeXX: Start talking to your career counselor at HS and look at other resources at your local college. They have advisers and eventually an opportunity to talk to students and to sit in at some classes. My advice: Don't stop asking, attending info sessions and "bugging" people until you have answers that you feel comfortable with. Research the fields you'd like to get into, compile your information and your path may become clear by itself.
The rest is beautifully outlined by "lpstong".


IB

Disclaimer: I can't make any educated statements about American education since i had the luxury of free education in Europe. (Incl. University)

 

[Finer - Tommy]

Check out Furman university and ITT tech. They are both great tech colleges.
Furman is outrageous while ITT Tech is pretty cheap.

Good Luck