College?

[MilkmanofHumanKindness]

Alright,

I don't have a lot of money to afford school. I don't have very high grades as I've needed to spend a lot of my time working, with a parent in the hospital (recovered and returned to work :) ) I've been working from 4-10pm every weekday and as much as I can on weekends and holidays (huzzah for 1.5 x pay :rolleyes: ). I've got like a 2.65 GPA. This already disqualifies me from most full-tuition or even most scholarships.

However, a school in ND has offered me a $5,450 tuition fee. It would be a total of $10,000 a year, but I would be able to go there and not face any student debt.

The problem, is that it is literally in the middle of nowhere, it's 5 hours from Winnipeg, 8 hours from Minneapolist/St.Paul, and about 4 hours away from Fargo. The fear I have is that my ability to work as an activist would be greatly hurt by being so isolated from major cities.

I could go to a school in Southern Minnesota for about $10,000 tuition and a $8,654 room and board. I would have to go into debt in order to attend, but I would be nearer to major cities.

Both have Study Abroad programs to China, which I want to take advantage of. Both have good Sociology which is what I want to major in.

So, what would you recommend?

[Raúl Duke]

However, a school in ND has offered me a $5,450 tuition fee. It would be a total of $10,000 a year, but I would be able to go there and not face any student debt.

The problem, is that it is literally in the middle of nowhere, it's 5 hours from Winnipeg, 8 hours from Minneapolist/St.Paul, and about 4 hours away from Fargo. The fear I have is that my ability to work as an activist would be greatly hurt by being so isolated from major cities. I'm isolated from large cities...somewhat.

Look, think of your interest first is my opinion and not incurring debt is in your interest. You and I are not suppose to be "martyrs" or "puritans/wholly dedicated" for the revolution, that's just not sane. The class struggle will always be there and there will always be people fighting even while you are away getting a degree. Most activism is just...whatever (i.e. little is actually accomplished) so you are not exactly missing something per se. Later on you'll be able to get into some real activism in a major city or etc.

[Zapatas Guns]

Alright,

I don't have a lot of money to afford school. I don't have very high grades as I've needed to spend a lot of my time working, with a parent in the hospital (recovered and returned to work :) ) I've been working from 4-10pm every weekday and as much as I can on weekends and holidays (huzzah for 1.5 x pay :rolleyes: ). I've got like a 2.65 GPA. This already disqualifies me from most full-tuition or even most scholarships.

However, a school in ND has offered me a $5,450 tuition fee. It would be a total of $10,000 a year, but I would be able to go there and not face any student debt.

The problem, is that it is literally in the middle of nowhere, it's 5 hours from Winnipeg, 8 hours from Minneapolist/St.Paul, and about 4 hours away from Fargo. The fear I have is that my ability to work as an activist would be greatly hurt by being so isolated from major cities.

I could go to a school in Southern Minnesota for about $10,000 tuition and a $8,654 room and board. I would have to go into debt in order to attend, but I would be nearer to major cities.

Both have Study Abroad programs to China, which I want to take advantage of. Both have good Sociology which is what I want to major in.

So, what would you recommend?

Don't worry about not being able to be active enough. Knowledge is power. If you can go to school do it. You will only become a better person because of it and you may meet others like yourself in a university setting. The struggle will continue without you and it will be there waiting for you still when you are done. You may discover that because of an education you can do more rather than less.

[Reznov]

I'm isolated from large cities...somewhat.

Look, think of your interest first is my opinion and not incurring debt is in your interest. You and I are not suppose to be "martyrs" or "puritans/wholly dedicated" for the revolution, that's just not sane. The class struggle will always be there and there will always be people fighting even while you are away getting a degree. Most activism is just...whatever (i.e. little is actually accomplished) so you are not exactly missing something per se. Later on you'll be able to get into some real activism in a major city or etc.

This. Get an education.

Look at it this way, you'll be a better person from this and you'll be able to do more activism in the long run.

Plus, the bottom line is you have to take care of yourself first.

[cenv]

Live your life, comrade. Communists or not, we're still bound by the forces of capitalism, which means we need to take advantage of the opportunities we have -- besides, leading a life under the weight of debt will only hinder your ability to fight capitalism. Also, revolution is supposed to liberate you, not add more constraints to your life, and making such a major sacrifice at a point in history when the anti-capitalist movement is so scattered and ineffective would be a mistake that would probably come back to haunt you. Revolution is about empowerment, not sacrifice.

[The Fighting_Crusnik]

If you're worried about money, I'd suggest looking at private colleges owned by some religious organization. Because of my GPA, which was a 3.2 and because of a simple music audition that I did, I am getting $42,000 in scholarships just as long as I keep my grades good and as long as I participate in two music groups, which will probably be band and choir. So with that said, look closely at everything with the college you want to go to because they might have some extra money lying around. Also, because of a big time law on student loans that Obama signed without any media coverage whatsoever, many colleges are now offering the student loans. Also, from the way it sounds, you may have missed it, but in the future, apply for FAFSA which will help you get federal aid. As far as being in debt upon graduation, you can't really help it in this country. But you can keep it at around $10,000 which isn't too bad.

[ellipsis]

Maybe visit the ND one first? I like the social and psuedo-cosmopolitan aspects of college but maybe you would like to chill in East Bumfuck, North Dakota. Debt sucks and I could be a lot more free to do things as I see fit if I hadn't taken out student loans. That said I wouldn't change a thing if I could do it again. TBH I recieved all/a large portion of my revolutionary education and training at college, but that experiance is not the norm.

[Bubbles]

What's the problem to be politically active in a small town? It's less noise from other people trying to sell and force on people ideas. People in the town get to know who you are and come and talk to you at the bar etc.

[black magick hustla]

if you are getting in debt be sure you can make money of whatever you are studying. at the very least get a teaching certification. you dont want to be 60k in debt and serve vegan cookies in a hip coffee shop

[Decolonize The Left]

Alright,

I don't have a lot of money to afford school. I don't have very high grades as I've needed to spend a lot of my time working, with a parent in the hospital (recovered and returned to work :) ) I've been working from 4-10pm every weekday and as much as I can on weekends and holidays (huzzah for 1.5 x pay :rolleyes: ). I've got like a 2.65 GPA. This already disqualifies me from most full-tuition or even most scholarships.

However, a school in ND has offered me a $5,450 tuition fee. It would be a total of $10,000 a year, but I would be able to go there and not face any student debt.

The problem, is that it is literally in the middle of nowhere, it's 5 hours from Winnipeg, 8 hours from Minneapolist/St.Paul, and about 4 hours away from Fargo. The fear I have is that my ability to work as an activist would be greatly hurt by being so isolated from major cities.

I could go to a school in Southern Minnesota for about $10,000 tuition and a $8,654 room and board. I would have to go into debt in order to attend, but I would be nearer to major cities.

Both have Study Abroad programs to China, which I want to take advantage of. Both have good Sociology which is what I want to major in.

So, what would you recommend?

As someone who attended college in 'the middle of nowhere' and graduated with around 24K in student loans (which I just finished paying off), I can tell you the following:
- You should absolutely visit, and spend the night at, any school you are considering attending. Pay attention to the class size, student participation, teachers, cafeteria, dorm situation, etc...
- The less loans you have, the better, generally speaking. But if you visit a school and it feels right, while another may be cheaper but seems a worse fit, you should follow your instincts and go where you feel better. In the end you will gain more from a place that you feel comfortable in than one in which you don't.
- Work the system. Ask for money. They will deny, beg for money. Tell them how much you want to attend and how much you think you can bring to their student body. Tell them about your interest in the study abroad program and hype it above other schools. Tell them that if you can't get more money (grants/scholarships) that you probably can't attend, though you really want to. It sucks, but it can work.
- Explain your situation to the people who matter. Tell them why your GPA is what it is, you had to work. Tell them why, and what you gained. Always phrase and frame your situation in a positive light - 'I had to work, and it was hard. But I learned the value of hard labor at a young age, and it has given me a new perspective on academics. I really see the value in schooling now in the context of the world of daily labor.' etc...
- Don't worry about the location. Yes, it sucks to be away from the big cities and the people, but you'll make friends and develop networks. The relative isolation may also help you focus a bit more, or may open a new venue of creative exploration, who knows?

Just remember that you are the one who is important, not the school. Believe this and make them believe this too, and they will accommodate you. Good luck.

- August

[Guerrilla22]

Student debt is not fun. I will be paying back the loans I took out to get my BA for a very long time. My suggestion would be to go to the school that is offering you scholarship or grant money. Where you get your Bachelor's from isn't important anyways.

[theblackmask]

Student debt is only a hindrance if you plan on paying it back.

[MarxSchmarx]

Alright,

I don't have a lot of money to afford school. I don't have very high grades as I've needed to spend a lot of my time working, with a parent in the hospital (recovered and returned to work :) ) I've been working from 4-10pm every weekday and as much as I can on weekends and holidays (huzzah for 1.5 x pay :rolleyes: ). I've got like a 2.65 GPA. This already disqualifies me from most full-tuition or even most scholarships.

However, a school in ND has offered me a $5,450 tuition fee. It would be a total of $10,000 a year, but I would be able to go there and not face any student debt.

The problem, is that it is literally in the middle of nowhere, it's 5 hours from Winnipeg, 8 hours from Minneapolist/St.Paul, and about 4 hours away from Fargo. The fear I have is that my ability to work as an activist would be greatly hurt by being so isolated from major cities.

I could go to a school in Southern Minnesota for about $10,000 tuition and a $8,654 room and board. I would have to go into debt in order to attend, but I would be nearer to major cities.

Both have Study Abroad programs to China, which I want to take advantage of. Both have good Sociology which is what I want to major in.

So, what would you recommend?

You are in America, go to a community college. Do all your general education classes, get great grades (it isn't hard), and continue your present activism.

Don't waste your first two years of higher education getting drunk and listening to a glorified baby-sitter read from the book with 500 other young adults. Either that or becoming a self-obsessed bore. Seriously.

If after an associate's degree you still feel like you want to pursue a bachelors, by all means pursue the cheaper option, they will still have excellent professors (or let me put it this way crappy professors have a way of ending up at great schools) and who cares you will be in China anyway for 1 out of your remaining two years. If you are getting a degree in sociology it will not matter where you graduate from unless you want to sell out - in which case don't get a degree in sociology.

But by splitting your time between community college you will minimize your debt. Besides, today many community colleges in America have study abroad/exchange student options as well, probably even in China.

[redSHARP]

community college or trade school could be an option get your GPA up and at least have a trade or associates under your belt. a good base is a good start. some trade schools might even support your college tuition.

[Lun7200]

if you dont have the grades/money to get into a larger institution go to a small community college for a a year or two, get good grades, transfer to the school of your choice and then high school grades get thrown out the window and scholarships are easier to obtain because scholarships are more easily granted to individuals that are already "deep" into their education vs a college freshman that might drop out.

[Aloysius]

I've decided that if I don't get a scholarship or grant for college, I'm gonna get a job as an electrician to make money for college.