Everyone from my high school left. San Antonio. Austin. Dallas. Houston. Even out of state. They acted like staying in Laredo was failure. Like you hadn't really "made it" unless you left. I almost left too. I had acceptances from Texas State and UTSA.
But then I did the math. TAMIU costs me $8,000 per year. I live at home. I work part-time. I'll graduate with zero debt. My friends who went to "better" schools? They're taking out loans. $20,000, $30,000, $50,000. They'll be paying those off for a decade. Meanwhile, I'm getting practical experience. I interned at a bank last summer. I'm involved in a student organization that does consulting for local businesses. My resume is solid. Here's what I've realized: prestige is expensive.
And I'm not sure it's worth it. My friend at UT Austin is in massive debt. She's stressed. She's competing with 50,000 other students for attention. She doesn't know her professors. She's a number. I'm not a number at TAMIU. My professors know my name. My advisor checks on me. I'm getting opportunities because there's less competition.
Am I missing out on the "college experience"? Maybe. But I'll trade parties for no debt any day. I'm staying. And I'm not ashamed anymore.
But then I did the math. TAMIU costs me $8,000 per year. I live at home. I work part-time. I'll graduate with zero debt. My friends who went to "better" schools? They're taking out loans. $20,000, $30,000, $50,000. They'll be paying those off for a decade. Meanwhile, I'm getting practical experience. I interned at a bank last summer. I'm involved in a student organization that does consulting for local businesses. My resume is solid. Here's what I've realized: prestige is expensive.
And I'm not sure it's worth it. My friend at UT Austin is in massive debt. She's stressed. She's competing with 50,000 other students for attention. She doesn't know her professors. She's a number. I'm not a number at TAMIU. My professors know my name. My advisor checks on me. I'm getting opportunities because there's less competition.
Am I missing out on the "college experience"? Maybe. But I'll trade parties for no debt any day. I'm staying. And I'm not ashamed anymore.