en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:31:56 GMT 15 By Michelle Wooten
From books and tuition to room and board and everything in between, going away to college definitely isn’t cheap – but is it worth it? There are virtually infinite opportunities for post-high school education or careers. One can attend a junior college close to home, join the army, or go straight on to their career, but the most popular choice among students at Franklin appears to be attending a four year university. Going off to college can cost more than $30,000 per year, even with the help of scholarships and financial aid, but there are priceless benefits to be gained by leaving home and going straight to the shark tank. “You get to experience a new place, a new culture and new people. I think to really grow as a person, it helps to experience new parts of the world,” said senior Ra’eesah Maistry, who plans to attend either UC San Diego or Boston University. Aside from money, anything and everything about the whole process contributes to the stress of college. One of the most traumatic experiences, next to applying, is choosing a college – home for the next four years. With so many prestigious universities out there, one’s best option is to attend a school which best suits their future aspirations. “Both [UC San Diego and Boston University] have really strong international majors,” said Maistry. Although education is obviously important, just as crucial is the location and social setting. No one wants to be stuck somewhere they absolutely despise. Fortunately, there are so many different options that almost everyone can find something appealing to them. The same is true for Maistry. “I love the weather in San Diego and the culture and diversity of Boston is amazing,” she said. The junior college experience is a viable option for many as a means to save money and get a great education. However, it is not for everyone. Some students have put their lives toward attending a four year university, and have found ways to cut the costs of such an expensive education. “I worked too hard in my academic career [not to go straight to a University]. I’d be selling myself short academically…not that people at junior colleges do, but it’s just not for me,” said senior Kelsie Valone, who plans to attend UC Davis this fall. Along with financial aid and scholarships, there are other ways to get around paying the full price for going to college. “I’m going to save potentially about four grand a year by living off campus,” said Valone. “It’s cost efficient because I won’t have to pay for expensive dorm living, and I can still work at my job which I love.” No matter what the implications, there is a place for everyone in higher education. ]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:36:00 GMT