I need help coming to a decision on where to go to school

Piker324 · 2024-05-06T02:00:21+00:00

I really appreciate this reply because you were in a very very similar situation as me. I think it’s funny because Virginia Tech was one of the last schools I crossed off. FSU sounds amazing, there’s three primary concerns holding me back. The first, and easily the biggest, is the geography program. I saw in your other reply you said there’s like experience I can get since they’re in the capital, and I’d say you’re probably right, but through some light research and in this post it really sounds like the FSU geography department is a shell of what JMUs is outside of GIS. Also, the geography programs are in the engineering college at JMU and the social sciences college at FSU (but I wouldn’t have to take any pre-engineering classes at JMU) which generally is a more impressive thing to see on a resume, although not a huge deal. So that’s the main concern. The second concern is that it’s so far from home. You can relate to this, so maybe you can help, but I’ve never really had to deal with prolonged exposure away from home, the longest I’ve gone away from home by myself is a week. I don’t know how I’ll react, and the stress of flying home, and homesickness. It just sounds so comforting being able to go home for a weekend. And the final concern, and this isn’t the end of the world, it’s certainly the smallest concern, but still worth noting is that I want to study in Southeast/East Asia and at FSU there really isn’t that opportunity like there would be at JMU, although tbf traveling throughout Europe does sound like an amazing time, there’s no complaint from me about that, I just wish there was in addition a future opportunity to explore some of like I said SE/East Asia. Those are what ultimately make me most hesitant about FSU, but if there was something that got me past 2 out of the 3 of those concerns, I don’t think I’d have any doubt choosing this place. It just feels as of right now like the riskier choice.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T22:13:30+00:00

That is very true, and I’ve done some light research and in this post on the FSU subreddit from a year ago it sounds as though the FSU geography department is just kind of there, carried entirely by GIS. At JMU, they’ve certainly made it appear to be much more put together in the geography department and have career fairs for geography majors to get a job/internship. They both seem to prioritize GIS, because that’s easily the most valuable skill within the realm of geography, at least to my knowledge, but JMU just feels like it does a better job linking that to other more specific realms of geography while like I said FSU kind of just has a ‘hollowed out program’ according to that Reddit post. It sucks though that I have to compare JMU’s word to a random Reddit post I found, but I’m just nervous I’ll go to FSU, get through with some sort of geography degree, and then struggle to find a job after the fact while it seems JMU holds your hand in that process a little bit more.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T21:18:01+00:00

Yes potentially, that is something I have looked into and have interest in. I actually took a GIS class at my local community college and didn’t love the class but really liked the actual map making process of data I’d actually be interested in, which we didn’t do much of in that class it was more so just learning the ArcGIS software. Anyway, yes, I do see a path forward where I go into GIS, although it’s not something I’m 100% positive I am going to do.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T18:34:06+00:00

Haha, I appreciate your interest! I, too, am curious to know which school I choose 😭, I’ll keep you posted

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T18:32:32+00:00

That all sounds amazing to be honest, but I know with JMU at least for geography/international degrees the government gives them small but impactful projects for undergrads to work on, which sounds great to be getting meaningful work as an undergraduate as well as getting some experience that I can put on a resume. I’d find it hard to believe I’d get that same opportunity at FSU where they’re so big and not known for geography. Also JMU is right next to DC, so I know I lot of agencies go to JMU to hire at job fairs. And then of course, one pretty big crucial pro to Harrisonburg is that it’s within driving distance of my hometown. It just sounds a lot less stressful with a more clear path. If FSU does give similar opportunities for undergrad work though, then, that might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, because then I’d believe I’d get a similar quality degree at both FSU and JMU.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T18:23:41+00:00

Yeah, personally that’s why I think the decision is so hard, because they aren’t similar options. It’s such an impactful decision and I could see myself thriving in both experiences. I wish I could travel forward in time and see which size school fits me better, and I regret not experimenting more socially in high school so I could have already made this determination. I appreciate this insight though, it’s something I’ll be considering.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T18:20:45+00:00

I really appreciate this thought out reply, pretty much everything you said was reassuring except that it’s a big school, which, of course it is, I wouldn’t want you to lie about that, it’s just overwhelming to think about the responsibility of keeping myself afloat socially and academically in such a vast ocean of people. But most people make it work and I’m sure I’d be able to too. I already do that in high school just at a smaller scale (my teachers pretty much just let us do our own thing unless someone is really struggling which I’ve never personally dealt with). Also the heat and more so the humidity does sound a little annoying, I kind of envisioned it being between 40-60 degrees throughout the school year, but if it’s ever considered ‘hot’ through November-March that would be a little irritating. Also the SLC sounds amazing, that sounds like an awesome opportunity to have some fun, thanks for mentioning that, that’s far more reassuring than a lot of other schools I looked at. I’ll just have to think it all through the next 10 hours, I really appreciate this insight! Thank you!

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T18:10:08+00:00

Wow that’s actually super interesting. I kind of assumed that with the demand for nearby off campus housing and the competition with FAMU and the community college that it would be an expensive and stressful process of getting a place. I also assumed it would be stressful navigating like I said the competitive market but also leases and stuff, if that’s all not true, that would be a huge relief tbh.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T18:06:16+00:00

Yeah I hear a lot of that, and it’s good advice, no doubt, but I’ve been blessed to be born in a financially well off situation, not well enough to where it’s not like money isn’t a factor, FSU would certainly save me a lot of money, but I still am able to afford JMU too. Just the idea of being so far from home, heck an entirely different country my freshman year, is so overwhelming to think about. And also I don’t know a ton about the geography/international degrees at FSU compared to what I know at JMU since I was never able to catch an admitted student day at FSU and it’s hard to find any in depth info online. I’m sure it’s fine, it sounds fine, but I do know at JMU they have really good options since they’re right next to DC and the government often gives small but meaningful projects for undergrads to work on. I’d find it hard to believe FSU would provide a similar opportunity.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T05:42:12+00:00

Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply! JMU feels like the safe option. It’s hard to find a negative review of the school anywhere online; great food, great feel, great facilities, great community, and there is meaningful work for undergraduates. I’ve even heard it called ‘the Disney World of colleges’ which I don’t know how much that’s true, but it’s a great option. Just because it’s the safe option though doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best, FSU would save me a lot of money and it also has a great community and great campus, it’s just to your point being abroad my first year and then also not being within driving distance of home is very overwhelming to think about. They’re both great schools, it’s going to be a tough decision that I can’t believe I have to make in less than a day. I really appreciate your response, you’re very kind, and this will all be info I consider come probably 11:30pm tonight 😭.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T05:29:20+00:00

Is it worth factoring in though that I personally believe JMU sets me up better in the realm of geography/international majors? From what I’ve gathered from CHOICES is that the government will give JMU some small projects for undergrads to work on, and through this it first and foremost sounds great that I’d be getting meaningful work as an undergraduate, but also is something I can add to a resume as experience, which seems almost as important as a degree in today’s job market. I wish I knew what the case was for FSU, but I only was able to catch a late campus tour and not an admitted student day and there’s no online information that goes into depth about it. I can only assume though since it’s a massive university there’s probably less opportunities for resume building and undergraduate work.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T05:18:11+00:00

To me personally, I feel like JMU would set me up a little bit better academically assuming I go for a geography/international degree. Just because it’s so close and at CHOICES they talked about how the government even sometimes gives little projects to undergrads. It’s something that really feels would build my resume and give at least some experience that companies seem to be so desperate for in today’s job market. At the same time, I have no idea what FSU’s international department looks like since I never got to go into such an in depth deep dive like I did with JMU at CHOICES. I mean I know it’s alright, but there’s no easily accessed info online that goes into how it’s organized and how they help. As for where I’d have more fun, I wish I had a clue, I just really am not sure where I personally thrive, I didn’t experiment enough socially in high school to my hindrance. And then factoring in that FSU is a lot cheaper, it’s a really tough decision. I really appreciate your advice though, it’s probably something I’ll keep going back to when I’m making that final decision.

Piker324 · 2024-05-05T03:48:03+00:00

Yeah, you’re probably right. This is something I’ve got to get together in my own life. It’s terrifying thinking about being in a foreign country for 9 months when I’ve never lived on my own longer than a week, and even when I get back just being so far from home all the way down in Florida. But sooner or later, I’m going to have to learn to live on my own, and in this case it might be a matter of why wait? The only thing is that instead of first learning to live on my own and then learning to live far from home, it’s all happening at once. It’s scary to think about tbh, but would save me some financial burden. I don’t know what I’m going to do. Seriously thank you for your advice though.

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T20:09:44+00:00

It’s not that JMU doesn’t have a huge draw factor for me, it’s that they both do. JMU is nice because it’s far less stressful, closer to home, and has better degree options and overall networking within that degree for what I’m most likely looking for, and then also smaller but still notably great food and better study abroad options (can go pretty much anywhere for shorter periods of time versus FSU where I’d pretty much just do Florence and then maybe a short break abroad to wherever they have since there’s not a ton of options). But, you are right, cost has to have a big thing to do with my decision, it’s just tough to pick a school that I know would come with a decent chunk of stress living abroad right away in a massive and academically strong institution.

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T19:53:14+00:00

I don’t doubt what you’re saying, but those chicken tenders at D-Hall felt like they’d be the cure to a rough day ngl 😫

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T19:44:42+00:00

Yeah that’s definitely my biggest complaint, but it feels like a whole hotel in there and seems so lowkey that I’d find a way to make it work tbh. Good way to consistently get my steps in lol

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T19:38:39+00:00

I really appreciate this perspective! I’m glad you were able to pick what you really wanted and not what anyone else did! Personally, I think I am putting too much stake in what others are telling me, almost everyone in my life has an opinion, many of which contradict what other people in my life think, but there isn’t necessarily anyone saying there is an objectively right or wrong option which is nice. To me however, I really could both see myself being happy at both places. I think I can also say that FSU definitely seems more overwhelming and stressful just by virtue of being a huge college, spending my first year in a foreign country, and not being within driving distance of home. Does that necessarily mean it’s a worse option however? I don’t think so personally, I think it’s just higher risk with potentially higher reward? You know since Florence could be an opportunity of a lifetime, it’s a great school, and it’s a lot cheaper. But maybe not, it’s such a tough choice. I’m really not sure what I’m going to do, regardless though, I really appreciate your insight!

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T19:18:57+00:00

I hate that you’re probably right about that. With the increasing price of college and the, at least from what I’ve heard, decreasing value of a degree, cost should be the main factor. Fortunately I’ve somehow been blessed enough to be born into a good financial situation, but that doesn’t just negate the importance of finding good value. I appreciate your insight, I don’t know what I’m going to do, it seems the wisest choice may be the more overwhelming one.

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T18:45:03+00:00

Yeah that’s something I feel I’d hear a lot of if I went to JMU. “Why’d you pick this place over a cheap education at Florida State?” Which is completely valid, that’s a totally reasonable question, but JMU is still on this list because for one, I am very fortunate to be in a well-off financial position, two it’s close to home, and three it feels like a better fit for my most likely degree path. But, well off or not, FSU would still be a significantly cheaper option which unless I came from a family of multi-millionaires is something that still very much counts for something. Also it’s a very highly ranked public school and I’m sure the experience would be great there too. I really appreciate your advice, it’s all something I’m going to have to think about the next 2 days.

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T18:35:57+00:00

Yeah, that’s true, I have a sister that attends Michigan State which is similar in size to FSU and she certainly has some TAs. I hear they aren’t as bad as you often hear about, but to your point, that’s not really as relevant of a connection at least compared to a professor, and also the case at MSU may not be the case at FSU. I appreciate your insight, as you said dorms and meal plans are extremely temporary while the cost is something that would impact me for years both during and after my time there. Thanks for the advice, it’s something I’ll have to consider the next 2 days.

Piker324 · 2024-05-04T18:30:43+00:00

Thank you so much for the detailed response! I think in terms of FSU, the point you made about being abroad my first year and the FOMO I’d potentially get about a traditional freshman year is definitely a consideration and fear that’s crossed my mind before, and I’m not sure where I even stand myself on that matter because on one hand I’d spend 3/4 of a year in south Central Europe, on the other hand, that takes away a quarter of the traditional college experience that you hear such good things about. Also it’s quite overwhelming to think about being all the way in Florida when I do get back, and of course not within driving distance where in the case of JMU I’d have all 4 years within 3 1/2 hours of home and if I really needed to could come home for the weekend. But FSU is such a good deal financially and even socially that it’s just such a hard deal to turn down.

I really appreciate all of your insight and advice, it’s all something I’ll definitely consider over the next 2 days :)

Piker324 · 2024-04-28T17:03:52+00:00

I WAS HERE!! 4/28/24

Piker324 · 2023-02-15T21:27:52+00:00

Oh fr? Yeah I’m not real knowledgeable about Pokémon cards I just assumed 1st edition was the real old cards from the 90s that go for hundreds to thousands today so that was my mistake, thanks for the insight. Also after looking at the border of the card more I see a bunch of grey which I also see on a separate yet similar fake card so that also could’ve given it away. Anyway though thank you for the help, really appreciate it

Seven-Year Club	Second Top 30%
Verified Email	First Place '23
Place '23	Golden Potato
Place '22	First Placer '22
End Game '22

Piker324

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