Does it matter which types of colleges you apply? The answer is yes! It is very important. I got accepted to a private college in Massachusetts as a Spring entrant. So, right now I'm taking some classes at a community college in New York. Some people asked me, "What's the difference between private and public colleges? Aren't they the same?" No, they're not. It is a sensitive subject and some people might disagree. I will not say which one is better because it's obviously your choice.
Most people would look down on public schools because they cost lower and some think that they will not get the same education quality if they go to private schools. This is false since many private universities rank higher than some well known colleges, such as University of California Berkeley which is rank number 21st in the country compare to New York University in rank number 34. It is even possible for people who graduate from public and private schools to have the same job position. However, the experience that you gain from college is different...especially if you live off campus with your parents. Also, many private schools allow more interactions between the students and the professors. They provide smaller class size. You would gain more access to so many resources that public schools lack.
Now so many people complain about the expenses, I understand. My family is not rich either. But after considering their financial aid packages, I couldn't resist. You will never know how much you'll have to pay until you apply and receive their financial aid package. Some students are too scared of rejections or that the costs will be too much. You don't know that! You are safe and you are guaranteed to get into at least one community college if you get accepted. You have nothing to lose! Don't let money sway your decisions.
If you're planning to go for a public school, then a private school for graduate degree...that's good for you! But life happens. Things change. Think about it. There maybe little difference in terms of quality of the education, but it's the experience you gain that sets the differences. Some kinds of people that you meet can only be found in private schools and public schools. Their attitudes are also different. But in the end it's up to you have to make the decision. You just have to be able to hold your head up high and stand behind the school you love.
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from what i have learned, you do save money as you said by getting your general ed out of the way so that when you transfer to a 4 year uni. you can focus on your major that your uni might be well known for. for example you can spend a few hundred bucks on general ed classes in a community collage for general ed then transfer those grades over to lets say your chose of law school so that way you do not spent you fist two years there leaning random crap that has nothing to do with your major and waste thousands. but if you for some reason have lets say a full scholarship go for it. but for those with less money and less lucky, pleas go to a community collage. they are fun.
a lot of people pick public universities if they're close to home because of the wonder that is in-state tuition!
i personally went out-of-state to a private university because i have a very specific major, and i got a pretty good scholarship, but a lot of state schools, like you said, are becoming very, very prestigious. i'm from maryland and UMD is becominge exceedingly difficult to get into, even for people from our state!
there's also a new term that's been floating around, maybe you've heard of it--"public Ivy." it refers to a school that's a public university (such as UMD) but offers the same caliber of education as you would expect to find at one of the traditional Ivy League schools, but of course at a much lower cost (and with much higher, although still very competetive, acceptance rates!).
--stacie
I've gone to public schools all my life, but only applied to private schools when it came to college. Money wasn't much of a problem because I knew tuition would be decent with my scholarships; my family is not rich by any means, but financial aid, scholarships & loans helped.
I chose private because I wanted a real relationship with my professors. I did not want to be just another face in an ocean of people.
Then, I looked at the professors themselves. Some people don't think this is necessary, but I used this to choose a school. I now have a professor who is a retired rocket scientist from NASA & will have a retired ceo of AT&T further along in my studies.
this is just me .... but i love private school.