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That's an interesting subject, and incidentally, something SO and I don't agree about. I think our kids should pick out schools they could afford based on the career path they choose to pursue, and SO thinks we should just pay the whole tab. We both agree, though, that they should only go to an expensive school if the job prospects are top notch.Asscherhalo_lover|1314827013|3006714 said:I don't mind...good for people to know about these kinds of things anyway! Went to a private college for undergrad but lived at home to save money, spent about 43k...went to a CUNY for grad school, again commuted and spent about 18k. I did get a decent amount of financial aid and scholarship for undergrad but took out extra money here and there to help pay bills while I was in school.
If I could do it again I would have taken out as little in loans as possible. It's so easy to say yes to that extra money when the thought of having to pay it back is so far into the future! I have been paying back my loans for about 2 years now completely on my own. I hope I can do better for my own children if they decide to go to college!
MissStepcut|1314827381|3006723 said:That's an interesting subject, and incidentally, something SO and I don't agree about. I think our kids should pick out schools they could afford based on the career path they choose to pursue, and SO thinks we should just pay the whole tab. We both agree, though, that they should only go to an expensive school if the job prospects are top notch.Asscherhalo_lover|1314827013|3006714 said:I don't mind...good for people to know about these kinds of things anyway! Went to a private college for undergrad but lived at home to save money, spent about 43k...went to a CUNY for grad school, again commuted and spent about 18k. I did get a decent amount of financial aid and scholarship for undergrad but took out extra money here and there to help pay bills while I was in school.
If I could do it again I would have taken out as little in loans as possible. It's so easy to say yes to that extra money when the thought of having to pay it back is so far into the future! I have been paying back my loans for about 2 years now completely on my own. I hope I can do better for my own children if they decide to go to college!
MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
Ha! I honestly hope so too! I would MUCH rather land that six figure firm job and pay both my loans and taxes! But, if I can't, I'll be one of many American who take advantage of federal repayment programs.Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
To be fair, Megumic, there is something a bit "heads I win, tails you lose" about the government guaranteeing student loans for law students. If I do well, I get a six figure job. If I do poorly, I get income-based repayment. That said, if I do end up in an IBR-qualifying job, it will be in the public service.megumic|1314829033|3006758 said:Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
I think there are many other government programs that ought to bother you far more than one that pays back student loans for those who either cannot secure a job b/c there are not any or those who work in public interest or government and make $45k and thus cannot afford their student loans.
It's not so much that the government is a plan B, it's just that the government values having attorneys and wants to give an incentive to students who want to pursue the law for public interest or government without fear of the huge student debt they would not be able to pay off. Hence why the government plan exists -- it provides a value to society and gives directly back to those who provide the value.
I also think your comment was quite snide. Have you ever needed legal advice? Have you closed on a home? You NEED people like MissStepCut and myself and our fancy degrees to help you out so you don't get bitten in the rear by the law.
thing2of2|1314828815|3006751 said:Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
Yeah well, it bothers me a lot that my tax dollars go to pay jackholes like Michele Bachmann who spew nothing but idiocy and hate, but that's life as an American! Also, ALL Americans use government as their Plan B for retirement, last I checked.
MissStepcut|1314829334|3006768 said:To be fair, Megumic, there is something a bit "heads I win, tails you lose" about the government guaranteeing student loans for law students. If I do well, I get a six figure job. If I do poorly, I get income-based repayment. That said, if I do end up in an IBR-qualifying job, it will be in the public service.megumic|1314829033|3006758 said:Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
I think there are many other government programs that ought to bother you far more than one that pays back student loans for those who either cannot secure a job b/c there are not any or those who work in public interest or government and make $45k and thus cannot afford their student loans.
It's not so much that the government is a plan B, it's just that the government values having attorneys and wants to give an incentive to students who want to pursue the law for public interest or government without fear of the huge student debt they would not be able to pay off. Hence why the government plan exists -- it provides a value to society and gives directly back to those who provide the value.
I also think your comment was quite snide. Have you ever needed legal advice? Have you closed on a home? You NEED people like MissStepCut and myself and our fancy degrees to help you out so you don't get bitten in the rear by the law.
MissStepcut|1314829334|3006768 said:To be fair, Megumic, there is something a bit "heads I win, tails you lose" about the government guaranteeing student loans for law students. If I do well, I get a six figure job. If I do poorly, I get income-based repayment. That said, if I do end up in an IBR-qualifying job, it will be in the public service.megumic|1314829033|3006758 said:Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
I think there are many other government programs that ought to bother you far more than one that pays back student loans for those who either cannot secure a job b/c there are not any or those who work in public interest or government and make $45k and thus cannot afford their student loans.
It's not so much that the government is a plan B, it's just that the government values having attorneys and wants to give an incentive to students who want to pursue the law for public interest or government without fear of the huge student debt they would not be able to pay off. Hence why the government plan exists -- it provides a value to society and gives directly back to those who provide the value.
I also think your comment was quite snide. Have you ever needed legal advice? Have you closed on a home? You NEED people like MissStepCut and myself and our fancy degrees to help you out so you don't get bitten in the rear by the law.
At my school, public sector is usually a back-up plan. I have a TON of respect for people who skip OCI and are super dedicated to public service. More often, at my school, people start looking for PI jobs after they've struck out of OCI.megumic|1314829520|3006773 said:But some people choose the public service sector REGARDLESS. I would NEVER choose a firm job with six figures. So regardless of my grades, I am defaulted to a crap salary and I still have the same loans to pay as the six figure job. Sure, it's my choice, but I chose that b/c it's the career I want and based on the fact that the government will help me out b/c I'm helping it out.
MissStepcut|1314829780|3006777 said:At my school, public sector is usually a back-up plan. I have a TON of respect for people who skip OCI and are super dedicated to public service. More often, at my school, people start looking for PI jobs after they've struck out of OCI.megumic|1314829520|3006773 said:But some people choose the public service sector REGARDLESS. I would NEVER choose a firm job with six figures. So regardless of my grades, I am defaulted to a crap salary and I still have the same loans to pay as the six figure job. Sure, it's my choice, but I chose that b/c it's the career I want and based on the fact that the government will help me out b/c I'm helping it out.
megumic|1314829392|3006770 said:thing2of2|1314828815|3006751 said:Sparkly Blonde|1314828340|3006743 said:MissStepcut|1314826475|3006703 said:Alright, I will be brave and go first. My JD is going to cost me... $160k. Ouch. Luckily I paid for undergrad out-of-pocket by working during school, sharing a tiny apartment with other girls, a little bit of help from parents (maybe 20% of the total cost) and graduating early.
If I can't pay back my student loans, there is a Federal program that will bail me out. So it may turn out that you will be paying for my fancy private school law degree.
ETA: Thanks Yenny for going first!
This bothers me _ a lot. The idea that my tax dollars go to somebody who willingly took on a huge amount of debt and uses the government as their plan B is not okay. I can only hope that high taxes will bite you in the rear after you obtain your fancy degree.
Yeah well, it bothers me a lot that my tax dollars go to pay jackholes like Michele Bachmann who spew nothing but idiocy and hate, but that's life as an American! Also, ALL Americans use government as their Plan B for retirement, last I checked.
OMGosh -- my favorite was her CH-utzpah mispronunciation. Seriously?
For what it's worth, I think many attorneys who end up in the public service as a "back up" end up being very dedicated. One of my friends struck out at firms, got a job at the DOJ in Antitrust, and is now absolutely fired up about it. As for me, I would really like do to project contracts. If that's at a firm or a government agency, I will be happy either way... though yes, I am hoping one of my firm interviews turns into an offer and I make $$$ doing it instead of $. Still, I have so so much respect for all the public defenders and other ardent PI people who give PI their whole heart from day 1. I know firms do their damnedest to seduce you away from it.megumic|1314830029|3006781 said:MissStepcut|1314829780|3006777 said:At my school, public sector is usually a back-up plan. I have a TON of respect for people who skip OCI and are super dedicated to public service. More often, at my school, people start looking for PI jobs after they've struck out of OCI.megumic|1314829520|3006773 said:But some people choose the public service sector REGARDLESS. I would NEVER choose a firm job with six figures. So regardless of my grades, I am defaulted to a crap salary and I still have the same loans to pay as the six figure job. Sure, it's my choice, but I chose that b/c it's the career I want and based on the fact that the government will help me out b/c I'm helping it out.
That makes me sad. We need more dedicated public service attorneys who want to be there, not just back ups. That said, I do agree with you, many people really want the big deal jobs with the big pay check and long hours.
megumic|1314830029|3006781 said:MissStepcut|1314829780|3006777 said:At my school, public sector is usually a back-up plan. I have a TON of respect for people who skip OCI and are super dedicated to public service. More often, at my school, people start looking for PI jobs after they've struck out of OCI.megumic|1314829520|3006773 said:But some people choose the public service sector REGARDLESS. I would NEVER choose a firm job with six figures. So regardless of my grades, I am defaulted to a crap salary and I still have the same loans to pay as the six figure job. Sure, it's my choice, but I chose that b/c it's the career I want and based on the fact that the government will help me out b/c I'm helping it out.
That makes me sad. We need more dedicated public service attorneys who want to be there, not just back ups. That said, I do agree with you, many people really want the big deal jobs with the big pay check and long hours.