I'm no longer a kid, and now I'm feeling the crunch.

D

Don Nguyen

Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
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I've been accepted to UTEP for Fall 2012 and would like to go there for Metallurgy. However, money is the biggest factor I'm looking at here. As an alternative, I'm also accepted to UofA for Materials Science/Engineering.

Ideally UTEP would be my first choice. UofA no longer has a large focus on metals, and as far as I've been informed, they don't have that many teachers left for that focus anymore. Plus, I've been living in Tucson all my life, and it'd be nice to move and go into a field that really drives me.

Excluding out-of-state tuition and other schooling costs, I'd have to look at moving costs, rent, food, gas, insurance, etc, etc. I don't have any qualifications/experience in any field. I've done auto detail for barely half a year, and I have 80+ miscellaneous credits at the community college. No degree, practically no experience. I don't have any money saved up, either. It seems unrealistic to try to go to UTEP, then. Even if I did move, I wouldn't have a workshop to do all the knife stuff that I love.

UofA, on the other hand. While it's not my preferred choice, it is more realistic and logical. I can stay at my parents house and eat mommy's home cooking, and I have a space in the garage with a good amount of tools and stuff already. That in itself is a whole lot easier, when I don't have to worry about rent and food and some possible income.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do, but I'll have to decide soon. It's right around the corner. I don't even know why I'm posting this, maybe just to express my new found realization that I can't live like a kid anymore, and that I've been taking everything for granted.

Hmmm.
 
Yep, its tough man! Life being so real, sucks sometimes! Here I am raising a two year old, working full time, my wife works full time and goes to school, her father has moved in and is disabled, the wifes schooling is getting close to 6 figures, and don't forget the bills! House, cars, food, phones, electricity, yadda yadda yadda.

Not to make you feel bad about your problem, but only to highlight the fact that it doesn't get any easier. My advise, go to the school you want, talk to councellors about finances, strap your butt in a chair and work your ass off! I don't know anyone who said they wished they went to their second choice...


-Xander
 
I am now retired, but I had the exact same feelings when I was leaving highschool back in the 70's and had to make some difficult decisions. It is a difficult part of one's life with many challenges and hurdles that you face at your point in life. I went to university finished my degree and wanted to pursue urban planning, but due to the jobs available I ended up working as a steam plant HVAC operator and that job both paid and was a satisfying carreer. Life is an unpredictable highway, but if you are willing to work at it things will turn out in your favor over the long term.
 
Started my college career off at UTEP back in the day. A lot of hard work now will pay off in the long run, there will be plenty of time down the road for the things you enjoy. The trick is to find a career that you enjoy. Hey, at least you recognize that your parents have done a lot for you - many never do.
 
As I've gotten older, I kind of take the view that an education has to be looked at somewhat as a commodity. You have to balance the cost against what you get. When I was applying to law schools I paid no attention to the costs and wound up at a very expensive for the time private school. I had a boat load of student loans that I'm still paying off at 45. If you can't get what you want at UofA by all means go for something different but if its just a matter of preferences, financial realities do set in. The poster that suggested you investigate finanacial aid is right on. You may qualify for scholarships, etc. at UTEP that you don't even know about that could even out the costs.
 
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