conversation: User (floresblue): "This might seem like a silly question but I am in my sophomore year of college and I’m about to transfer to another school. The school I will be transferring to is a private research university. Because of that, the tuition will be way higher. I’m a social work major so I know I will not be making much money but I DO plan to go to graduate school and possibly even get my phd or dsw so I can teach. My question is that if it’s worth it to go to a private school in order to get better internships, small classrooms, more research opportunities, or is it just okay to go to a state school. Like I said, I want to teach in the college so I need as much research and publications. I have already started a grant funded research at my current school.\n\nAnd I know I’m not going to be rich teaching but I would like some tips if I do end up in a larger debt pool like 55k after I get my PhD. I only have 8500 right now. I am 17 years old so I have no other debt. \n\nEdit: thank you everyone for the replies. I was talking to one of my biggest mentors and I found out what I want to do. A lot of you said don’t go into debt for something that you’re just passionate about. Someone also told me to have fun in under grad, just study whatever. Well, I know for sure I will get a masters in social work (so I can get licensed) but I think I will go into education for under grad. This isn’t my final decision though. I have to make my final choice by February 1st. Thank you everyone."
  Self: "1) Go for the PhD. At the schools worth going to, it will be funded. If you don't get funding, it's the school/professor's way of saying "fuck off, we don't want you"\n\n2) if you want academia, where you do your PhD and post docs *matter*. Figure out who you want to publish with and start networking with them now so they'll help you get in when it's admissions time.\n\n3) don't stay at the same school for graduate school that you did your bachelor's degree at. This is generally frowned on in the academic community. I had about 80% of my friends go to graduate school after college, exactly one stayed at our undergrad school because there was literally no where else in the world where he could do the research he wanted. I doubt social work is that special."
  