Prairie State? (Chicago, Chicago Heights: fit in, house, law school)

[PoorCollegeKid]

Classes here are so cheap it's almost impossible to pass up on, but I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the school. I'll probably go to Prairie State for two years, then Governor's for another two so I can continue to work and live at home.

[urza216]

That's a great idea. I plan on doing the same thing. But the mere mention of a south suburban institution on this forum is bound to bring on 6 pages of trashing the place.

I've learned a lot from professors at Prairie State. It's a great environment for both learning and meeting people.. I have no idea what could be sup par about the school as far as community colleges are concerned. However, because it's in Chicago Heights, I'm sure someone on here has a few nasty things to say about it.

[chet everett]

Frankly if more kids and parents gave more thought to what actually happens in college tuitions in general would probably be less outrageous.

The vast amount of high-end schools have huge endowments that the use to to lavish continual building efforts on the school. Smaller schools have nothing like that but many try to pull themselves into the ranks of prestigious schools by recruiting the better profs and high achieving students, then they try to charge regular students high tuition.

The actual "stuff" that kids learn in either school is very much the same, and even the vaunted "connections" don't really contribute to increased earning for most grads.

If you have some ability to break into the "big leagues" of any field on talent that is generally a better path than "connections" anyway.

If you can use some of the money saved to build a base for a first house in a nice area or pay for a good law school or something similar where acces to more talented profs really does pay off that is a better overall plan. Of course the temptation at some schools where the majority of students are already working is to try to fit in by taking a job that is not a good fit too soon or spending money onncars and such that will get you nowhere, so it takes extra effort tonuse those savings wisely...

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by PoorCollegeKid

Classes here are so cheap it's almost impossible to pass up on, but I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the school. I'll probably go to Prairie State for two years, then Governor's for another two so I can continue to work and live at home.

What will you be studying at Governer's State?

The reason I ask is that while doing student teaching, I encountered their education graduates and student teachers A LOT. And they were woefully unprepared and inadequate.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by PoorCollegeKid

Classes here are so cheap it's almost impossible to pass up on, but I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the school. I'll probably go to Prairie State for two years, then Governor's for another two so I can continue to work and live at home.

That's a great idea - I have a handful of family members who did the exact same thing and they're quite happy & reasonably successful. Two of them in particular now have their Masters in Accounting from GSU and one is now a CFO for a mid-sized company.

[deechee]

I love PSC AND GSU.

Good choices.

[PoorCollegeKid]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

What will you be studying at Governer's State?

The reason I ask is that while doing student teaching, I encountered their education graduates and student teachers A LOT. And they were woefully unprepared and inadequate.

I haven't officially declared yet, but I plan to be a secondary education major. My career (heh) goal is to teach either English or History at the junior high or high school level.

[chet everett]

Good luck with your preparation. You would be wise to distinguish yourself from the large numbers of people that are qualified for these fields.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by PoorCollegeKid

I haven't officially declared yet, but I plan to be a secondary education major. My career (heh) goal is to teach either English or History at the junior high or high school level.

Have a really good look at their curriculum for education. Like I said, my experience with education majors at GSU was not good. I'm not sure if they have tweaked things at all within the last few years, but I would be very suspect.

Originally Posted by chet everett

Good luck with your preparation. You would be wise to distinguish yourself from the large numbers of people that are qualified for these fields.

Pretty much this. I have a type 09 cert myself. I'm 'highly qualified' to teach social studies at junior high level. I graduated with a degree in English, which is equally useless.

It is so absolutely dire out there. There ought to be a moratorium on education programs in the state of IL, but you know that would never work.

[linicx]

A Masters in Education is a desirable goal, and now I have a question. Regardless of your goal - do you have a back up plan if you cannot teach?
What will make you stand out above all other teacher applicants?

Originally Posted by PoorCollegeKid

I haven't officially declared yet, but I plan to be a secondary education major. My career (heh) goal is to teach either English or History at the junior high or high school level.