College Search Not Ending Soon

XSo we all have to be up early to visit UMAA Boston again for their open house for accepted students. It was fun and humbling when some of the student leaders started talking about declining invitations from " prestigious schools :read --expensive" coz they couldn't afford otherwise but NEVER regretted the decision to join a cheap prestigious school. Which way to go? I don't know, it's up to my little man. 

Let me share to you what I believe. Sure, going to an IVY brings a lot of honor especially to a mom like me but not everyone can be an IVY student. That, is the first step--- acceptance. It doesn't mean your student is not top notch. Pherry got accepted to what a lot of people would say "second tier" school--- Syracuse, Fordham, Boston University, University of Massachusetts are nothing to scoff about especially he got full ride at UMass and a lot of money at Fordham. 

Listen, I've started my research a few years ago and the more you read the more you get confused. There's a ton of list out there that tells you this and that school is the best--- best in the world, best in computer science/ other fields , best value for your money, best for student life/experience, best for employment, best in campus, best city life, and best for blah blah blah. But who knows what's best for you? Sure, some recognizable school tells you they get you to a job with 6 figures, but then you owe $300,00 after 4 years? Can your parents afford, can you afford?  Oh yeah, you like to live in a nice campus with great sports town, does it give you the best in your major? It's so cheap but it's not really good for you and is not to your liking, is it still cheap? Good schools give you good network, but can't you make the same on your own? Bottom line is, the best is what is the best FOR YOU. 

Let me share from my own experience. My two bestfriends make 6-figure salaries and yet they didint go to IVYs nor $64,000 schools. In fact they went to a third-world country school- Philippines. I know someone who went to an Ivy but does not come close to making what I make. But he is happy with what he does. That's important.I know someone who has a PhD in Physics from MIT no less but makes so much more money selling mattresses. Go ahead, visit his website www. Mattressnerd .com, tell him Bernadette referred you. 😜  In my career, I work with MDs and PhDs, most from Harvard and MIT yet their interests are so much different. If you don't know them, you wouldn't even know they're published authors and well know scientists.