I don't know what to do! Advice please! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 07-29-2007, 12:48 PM

This might be a long post- bear with me.

Okay so if anyone read my post a few days ago about prolly moving to DC, there's a twist -- I got offered DC or Germany or go back to school/med school and come back in after I am done with residency. As it stood, my plans after the army were to pursue med school but now the army is going to pay for it in exchange for being a doc for a few years with them? Sign me up. It's this scholarship that I ultimately got selected for but its on me to make the grades. If I wash out, I come back in and serve the remainder of the committment and salute the flag and be done.

So of course I am choosing school (though passing up a 3 year position in Germany may piss me off later down the road). But now I am at a loss as to what to do. I'm applying to like 13 schools.

I'm applying to OSU because I am from Ohio, all my friends and family are there, I love Columbus, I could make one phone call and have a part time job and a place to live, everything would be great. But then I think that ultimately, I ended up leaving Ohio and moving to Chicago because I was sick of the bs, I was distracted all the time and partied way too much.

So I moved to Chicago and as a result, applied to Loyola and DePaul. But I am in the same boat there. I left there too because I was unhappy 2 years ago. I have a lot of friends and family out there too.

I think, would I want Chicago or Columbus because I miss home (because I've been in freaking Afghanistan since January) so much or is it because I really want it. I've grown up a lot, and it's too tempting to want to go back to the glory days of drinking every day, season tickets to OSU games, living the good life. Because I am given this academic opportunity and if I don't make the grades, I can't just transfer. It's a one shot oppoertunity.

So I am also applying to some schools in the DC area because I love the area and have some friends there as well, and it would be great fun. Additionally I am applying to 2 schools in NC, both very competitive and kind of a long shot. I lived in NC for awhile and it's honestly not my scene so I really don't want to go there. I also applied to Vanderbilt in Nashville and if I get accepted I will probably go there because that school is awesome academically and their ROTC program is stellar. But it's also highly competitive and I don't think I have the GPA. We will see.

But then I, on a whim, applied to 3 schools on the west coast, where I've never been. I huge part of me wants a fresh start. You TP'ers know what I am saying about the thrill of a new place. So I applied to a school in Seattle and then 2 in California -- Berkeley and UC Irvine. A prt of me thinks, this is crazy, I've never been to Seattle or California! But a bigger part of me wants a fresh start. I feel like I have really been blessed with this opportunity and want to better myself for it. I will party and paint the town red, and I of course will find new partners in crime. But I think I've also grown up a lot and have learned when it is time to get down to business.

So I don't know what I want do do. Any advice??

**expatben** · 07-29-2007, 01:21 PM

its hard to have so many choices, all of them with so much good and bad. If it were me, I may choose DC mainly because while it is not a million miles from say Ohio or Chicago it is a fresh start.

**mbo108** · 07-29-2007, 02:12 PM

Maybe you could eliminate some of the schools/programs from the list based purely on academics if you can't decide based on the locations. Keep one or two reach schools, a few that you should get into, and one or two safety schools. Then start looking at the location, ROTC programs, and other intangibles.

**TheJake** · 07-29-2007, 02:30 PM

Ok I am a midwesterner all the way. Spent 17 years in southern chi-town and I loved it. All through high school I traveled around the east coast and central america and now since moving out to AZ in 2002 I have spent that time traveling around the rest of the country. I don't know you very well but I know that you are a traveler and if you are anything like me then you will LOVE Cali or Seattle more than life itself. I love chicago and I love the midwest but there is something amazing about the west coast that is not communicatable through mere words. I say shoot for the west coast and I know you won't regret it.

**pinknic38** · 07-30-2007, 11:22 AM

Yeah Jake you're right. Something does keep drawing me to Cali or Seattle. One of the schools I'm applying to is Berkeley which is in the SF bay area and I woukd LOVE life there I think. One of my best friends in the world is from there and said I'd love it. Hmm.. I guess I will have to wait and see where accepts me!

hurr111 · 08-01-2007, 11:52 AM

I lived in the Northwest for 4 years when I was in the Coast Guard. Seattle, Bellview, Portland, Astoria, and a bit in Alaska. I was raised in the Northeast so I am a city boy at heart. When I moved to the Northwest though, I fell in love. There is so much to see and do, you have everything the cities have and if you drive a small distance you have the best outdoors stuff as well. I say go for the Northwest if you get it! Good Luck! and what an awesome deal with the schooling. Congrats!

**maracle** · 08-01-2007, 03:10 PM

Well its not a huge dilemma until you figure out what you get into I guess? I have to say that having visited Berkely and Stanford campuses, you couldn't possibly not like living there. The area costs a fortune to live in, but hopefully those schools have some kind of subsidised housing available or something.

Of all the places I've been in the US I always wanted to move to Seattle...the city is great, the state is amazing with rain forests and rivers to raft and mountains and ocean, and you're a quick drive from Vancouver which is another fantastic city.

I love Chicago too, but if you've already been there maybe another place would be worth it. But having lived so far from home recently maybe just being near friends is the way to go.

I don't know much about DC, but seeing all the history there would be nice I guess.

As for Ohio, I'm from Michigan so you made the right move leaving there!

Probably the best thing to do is wait to see where you get in...then go on a road trip and check them out. If you're back here in time to do it....otherwise just go with your gut and don't look back. I'm sure you wont regret it

**DC_Jessica** · 08-02-2007, 10:33 AM

Everything sounds like an adventure! As always, I'm a strong DC advocate, BUT I plan on making Berkeley my first choice for PhD applications when I'm ready for that road. I would shy away from the Midwest because it's home. I'm looking far away for schools because it's my "excuse." If I tried to move to California on a whim, just for funsies (but also have a job), NOBODY in my family would let me rest. School is different for some reason, so I'm going to use it as an opportunity to live somewhere new and exciting.

**Canadian Bacon** · 08-02-2007, 11:11 AM

My 2 cents.... just go home and be with your loved ones.

**worldwidemike** · 08-05-2007, 09:34 AM

Come on, girl, you know the answer to the question: What's round on the end and Hi in the middle? We'd love to have you here in Columbus!!! And OSU's Med School is world class, from what I hear...

That said, honestly: Follow your heart. If you find a school that's appealing elsewhere, and the location and vibe seems right, go with it. You can always get cheap airfares, nowadays, to go home and visit the folks. And I definitely think you're right about having the military pay for your med school...great choice!

Hope things are well in Afghanistan. Stay strong, soldier!

worldwidemike

**pinknic38** · 08-05-2007, 11:38 AM

[quote=worldwidemike;164440]Come on, girl, you know the answer to the question: What's round on the end and Hi in the middle? We'd love to have you here in Columbus!!! And OSU's Med School is world class, from what I hear...

haha I know, I do love some Columbus - freaking everyone is up there! I think I would know when to get down to business since it means not having 100K in student loans.

But I did get accepted to UW's program in Seattle, which is frestrating because it's a killer opportunity. I wish no one would accept me except one school so I wouldn't have to make the decision! haha. No I don't wish that... that's bad juju.

Things are good in Afghanistan, I have some amazing pics that are on my facebook. When I get around to it I will post some up here.

**Majestic58** · 08-07-2007, 11:09 PM

Now, I live in Seattle, but to be honest, I'm not a huge fan... *ducks the thrown vegetables and mud* But I think that's just because I'm not outdoorsy at all... However... That being said... UW is a GREAT school... and you would probably love Seattle.. There are tons of things to do around here if you like the outdoors at all (and from the posts of yours that I've read, I get the feeling you do). It is beautiful and diverse... Plus there are heaps of Tpunks here.

**lilwings** · 08-08-2007, 10:54 AM

Vandy ROTC is an awesome program. I know a number of fellow Joes who went through that place, and had great things to say about it... and about Nashville (which rocks, by the way).

What about ROTC and SMP with a guard unit out of Campbell? That way you can keep your time in service going towards retirement.

The Army is hurting for officers right now. Here is my suggestion: take it or leave it. Most people get daunted by the 4-year scholarship nut roll for ROTC, because that scholarship money is controlled at DA level (rather than the individual ROTC unit). By waiting out your time at a local area school and bank-rolling a high GPA for a year, and then getting really REALLY involved with the ROTC unit you want to be associated with, you increase your chances for a scholarship by 10-fold.

3 and 2-year scholarships are controlled at the local ROTC unit level and are easier to compete for these days. You are competing against just that school's cadets for money... not the everyone in America, like you would with a 4-year scholarship.

Not to mention, you have prior service... big bonus in competing for money.

I would start talking with your reenlistment NCOIC too. They might have the better beat on what programs and local Reserve/ NG units are available. Plus, while your ROTC/ SMP with a Guard of Reserve unit, you're non-deployable.

I was a 3-year scholarship cadet, and got the branch and program I wanted much easier than throwing myself in with the national competion program. I highly advise it.

**pinknic38** · 08-08-2007, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the info but I am active duty so I can't switch to a guard or reserve unit and I'm not doing a regular ROTC scholarship, it's Green to Gold, and it's going to be a 3 year. I just have to more or less decide where I want to go. I have talked to the reenlistment NCO though, because my MOS is a star MOS and the reenlistment bonus is sweet, not to mention tax-free since I am deployed.

Additionally, after school is over I am applying for an educational delay (DA 591 and 591b is all it takes, along with acceptance into med school) and doing a HPSP type deal.

Good info though, thanks!

**ScarlotteDorian** · 08-08-2007, 12:30 PM

^i've been trying to get into the UW for over a year now. when i didn't get in last year, i finished another associates degree at north seattle to get some pre-req's out of the way and up my GPA some more. (it's 3.72 now) i didn't get in again this year. i'm saying WTF at this point. i appealed the desicion and i'm waiting to hear back in the next couple weeks.

girl, this is a freakin' hard school to get into these days. just thought i'd share my personal experience with it.

majestic----> i didn't know you lived in seattle. i must have been living on the sun or something.

**pinknic38** · 08-08-2007, 12:41 PM

I got in but their credit evaluation of my stuff I transferred is complete bullshit. It I go there, it's like starting all over again. A few other schools transferred almost all of my credits (one school would make me a junior while UW would make me a third quarter freshman. are you SERIOUS?) it's stupid. and it isn't like i am transferring from semesters to quarters, it's straight quarters to quarters.

I really would like to go to UW b/c it's a great school especially for pre-med, and I would LOVE to live in the area, but shoot all my hard work would go right down the shitter! A 23 year old freshman. That would be a hoot.

**pinknic38** · 08-08-2007, 12:45 PM

[quote=Majestic58;164550] There are tons of things to do around here if you like the outdoors at all (and from the posts of yours that I've read, I get the feeling you do).

haha yes you're right. I might just have to see how Seattle U is going to take my credit transfers, cos I would love to get out there. state schools are seriously heartless haha

giri123 · 08-11-2007, 05:19 AM

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**pinknic38** · 08-11-2007, 08:18 AM

thanks for the link! if there is a puppy for the US that would be sweet. lol.

Echeverry · 08-12-2007, 07:49 AM

First and foremost, Hello bicthes! Missed my awesomeness? I did miss youz. Well pan I totally understand your dilema. And you should do what you think is best for you in the long run. You might get nostalgic and all (we all do at a point, it's what drives us to discover places that could be better). Godspeed.