value of cheap education

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Mar 4, 2015
526
93
New England
so a while back I posted about how DD's college coach was giving her the cold shoulder.

yada yada yada and she decommitted last week. Shed no tear. Happy to be a regular student somewhere else than play where's she's not comfortable.

But now a small NAIA school has approached and there's a chance she can go to this school almost for free when you count academic and athletic money. she might start as a freshman.

I know it depends on the kid, but how do you weigh this -

A - Decent academic school that has her major and a chance to play softball and graduate with no debt.

B - Above average academic school, no softball, at a cost of $100,000 over 4 years.

DD's career choice requires grad school, and it's a competitive field, but those in this field have told her that if you are outstanding academically that your undergrad school won't matter that much.
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
As someone that has a boat load of debt from my graduate degree...do everything you can to avoid undergraduate debt.

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Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
As someone that has a boat load of debt from my graduate degree...do everything you can to avoid undergraduate debt.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I agree completely. I went to a state university that at the time was relatively easy to get into. I was accepted to a better private school but it would've cost a fortune. i still had to take on a good bit of debt even for the state school (no parental help to speak of). I didn't get the impression that any of the jobs I've had since graduating paid a ton of attention to where my degree was from. I think if you want to have an elite kind of job, or something highly specialized, it might matter. For most of us I really don't think it makes much difference. To start her adult life out free of educational debt would be a very good thing, IMO.
 
Mar 4, 2015
526
93
New England
thanks for the replies. To 2020's point, I don't know that she would even need to transfer because the naia school has a good major that prepares her for the grad school she wants to attend. She wants to get in physical therapy school. This school has a pre-PT major. Not that your major is that critical anyway. but yes after 2 years she can reassess things, including how softball is going.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
It is the Indian, not the arrow. Where you go is not nearly as important as what you do when you are there. Go play ball and avail yourself of the educational opportunity. Then start your life in the real world debt free. Her Masters is will render her Bachelors Degree moot. And her experience as a college athlete will augment her education. Not to mention there is certainly no shortage of PT jobs.
 
Last edited:
Jun 19, 2013
753
28
thanks for the replies. To 2020's point, I don't know that she would even need to transfer because the naia school has a good major that prepares her for the grad school she wants to attend. She wants to get in physical therapy school. This school has a pre-PT major. Not that your major is that critical anyway. but yes after 2 years she can reassess things, including how softball is going.

Oh wow I'm dumb I was totally thinking JUCO when I was reading NAIA - wow time for lunch and get that blood sugar up haha
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
A - Decent academic school that has her major and a chance to play softball and graduate with no debt.

B - Above average academic school, no softball, at a cost of $100,000 over 4 years.
Unless B is the top 1 or 2 schools for her major in all of the US then you do A and not look back.

I mean unless she hates A and will be miserable there.

Assuming A is not some place she has no desire to live and go to school you take A everyday all day.

The value of graduating debt free if you can simply can not be overstated enough.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
In Florida all of our State Colleges (JUCO) are 4 year schools where you can get a 2 or 4 year degree. Some have up to 24 full funded roster spots. Have had a couple players get their AA while in High School, Bachelors while playing NJCAA, and then Masters playing NAIA or NCAA.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
In Florida all of our State Colleges (JUCO) are 4 year schools where you can get a 2 or 4 year degree. Some have up to 24 full funded roster spots. Have had a couple players get their AA while in High School, Bachelors while playing NJCAA, and then Masters playing NAIA or NCAA.

Also if you get your 2 years done in State College/JUCO in Florida, then the state guarantees a acceptance at one of the 4 year schools.

"The state of Florida guarantees that students who complete an AA degree at a Florida college have the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree at a state university or Florida college offering four-year degrees."

We had a girl who didn't start in high school, get a full softball ride at the local JUCO/State College for free the last 2 years (living at home) and transferred to USF once she got her AA. That is the first two years clear and free. That is a hell of a deal.

Now in her case, she did have to put up with the team going like 6-80 over the past 2 years, but so what. She was never much of a player and never really aspired to be.
 

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