What Will I Do After Graduate High School

Dear Luisa,

For a while I have been wondering what I should do after I graduate high school. I have different alternatives but am still stuck on reaching my conclusion. There are so many different things to do after you turn 18 and graduate high school. It is very hard coming to a conclusion on just one thing that you think that is the best for you. I have to see while making my decision what my opportunity cost is going to be and see what outweighs the costs and benefits. The things that it took into consideration as my criteria are cost, transportation, location and how well the program is in the college that fits my career. My alternatives for what I am going to after graduation are to go to an out of state college, attend an in state college, work part time and still attend college or take a year off then attend school.
Going to college is very important to me.
I think that in order for me to succeed I would want to continue my education. For me in order to come to a decision on what I want to do I have to think of the four most important things are cost of the education, transportation, location and program for career. Cost is the most crucial thing when deciding on college. After college the price of tuition adds up and you have to pay it all back. How to get to college is also very important. If I choose to go to an out of state school I would have to take into consideration how much it would cost me to travel back home for the holidays. Where I go to school is also crucial because it affects the cost and transportation I would need. Least important but it is still significant is the how well the program they have for my major. I want to study what I love but do it with confidence and with a good
program.
All of my alternatives are possible because I have not fully come to a decision. The negatives about going to an out of state college are the cost of tuition and the cost of transportation. The positives of attending an out of state college are the location and the programs that they have for my major. On the other hand going to an in state college the cost is much more cost effective, the program for my major, and transportation are all very positive aspects of going to an in state college. But, a negative aspect is the location because I do not want to stay near my home for college. Working part time and going to an in state school meet all the criteria but I do not know if it’s the perfect fit for me. My last alternative is going taking a gap year and traveling to Europe. The negative parts of doing that are the cost, transportation and program for my career. The only positive aspect is being in a beautiful location.
The alternative of going to an in state school and getting a part time job best meets all my criteria but I do not think that is something that I want to do. I have decided to go to an out of state school but also obtain a part time job while I’m in school so I can pay for the transportation back and forth from home to school. If I were to go to an out of state school I would not go too far and stay in New England. The transportation cost is not that much if I stay in New England and I could get a job to help pay to come home. I also before I go to college want to save up as much as I can so I can help out with the cost of my education. This decision is the best for my future because I can learn how to have a hard work ethic but also still be a student and become well educated.
-Chantal Rodriguez