Decision..... Is Cambridge worth £90K??

[LazyNinja]

Sorry, I posted a similar thread a while ago but some things have changed since then and it's nearly deadline.

I'm a student from Leeds and I am holding an offer to study NatSci at Cambridge University and I was going to specialize in physics.

The problem is, that although I've been thru an English High School (an inner city state cr@p one at that) and 6th Form, I'm still classed as an overseas student (I was born in Japan) and hence I have to pay huge tuition fee. Their tuition fee plus the college fee and living cost puts the estimated cost at £22500 per year, i.e. £90K over 4 years.

My family isn't exactly rich, or even average, and this is impossible to pay. However, my kind grandparents in Japan are willing to sell their house to fund my course. I am not sure whether this is a good choice, because in two years time (2009 entry) I'd be classed as a home student and will only have to pay normal fees. However, I'd lose my offer if I wait and I'm not confident that I will get accepted again. I am pretty sure I can still get into a good uni again though, because I have 6 and a half grade A A levels. Another bad thing is that I will have been away from education for 3 years because I have already deferred entry once thsi year. I think it'll be quite difficult to get myself back up to speed again.

I get the feeling that this is a once in a lifetime chance to study at one of the best uni in the world, but I am just not sure whether it's worth all the money. I mean with £90k you could do a lot of other things. I'd also feel incredibly guilty and pressured from the fact that my grandparents had to sell their house and spend their savings on me. Also, as a subject Physics isn't exactly highly profitable after graduation so that's also a big factor. I'm just thinking how much is the Cambridge "name factor" worth after I graduate?

I need to present them with a proof that I have £90k by 15th August, so gotta make the decision very soon. I REALLY dont know what to do... Just thought I'd ask you what you thought of it. Should I take the money or stay put?  :( What would you do in my position?

[WezV]

I'm just thinking how much is the Cambridge "name factor" worth after I graduate?

a hell of a lot!!!!

but thats one hell of a hard decision

[gingataff]

It's a tough call, here are my initial thoughts:
You'd owe a lot to your grandparents, could you ever repay that kindness? Maybe your graduation would be reward enough or them but think hard.
As for being out of the education loop, there are plenty of mature students at university, they are generally more motivated as they have already experienced the real world and don't see Uni as 3 years of living it up before you have to get a job.

[Elliot]

Physics is statistically the most profitable degree as it sets you up for anything -  banking, law, any science or technology based job.  High level employers are not interested in specific skills learned during degrees but a level of literacy and mathematical ability.  Physics provides those criteria.  I interview trainees in my work and physics is one of those degrees that open doors.

As to Cambridge, i'm biased because I went there - it is one of the best universities in the world, its reputation is known worldwide and most employers look at the words MA (Cantab) as a magic ticket.  

So, yes its worth hardship, but preferably your own.  I can see your dilemma, your grandparents would be making a massive sacrifice - is there no way of negotiating a deferral of your place?

[hunter]

Well if you see it economically this is hardly to pay off, as you have to compare all alternatives, and there might be free ones or very low cost. The 90K GBP will have to be earned back with interest on top of what you had earned with a normal master from a different school.

If you are very successful in your career, this will easily pay off (as top managers can quickly make 1m + a year) but most likely it will hardly pay off as you can get a good salary with a normal master if you perform in your job.

But then there is the immaterial value of a degree in Cambridge which is hard to quantify ...

[dave_mc]

that's a tough one. i wouldn't know what to advise there.

[Philly Q]

I didn't go to Cambridge but in my working life I've met a number of people who did - and from my observations a degree from Cambridge (or Oxford) still opens a hell of a lot of doors in this country (as does an Eton tie, for that matter, but that's irrelevant).  

I wouldn't want to have to make the decision you need to make with your grandparents.  £90K is a hell of a lot of money.  But you obviously have something about you to even get a place, and if you carry that into the workplace - plus your Cambridge degree - your earning potential (I stress potential!   ), even within a few years of graduating, is massive.  It all depends what line of work you decide to go into, of course, but that place at Cambridge could be almost priceless.

[Kilby]

What a dilemma :

I had a couple of friends who did medicine at Oxford and that opened a lot of doors for them (practically doubled their inital salaries), and also gave them opportunitys (both research and later employment) that students at other UK universitys would have given their eye teeth for.

From friends who did physics (and had a true delight in the subject) Cambridge is the place to be.

However above all else it is you who will have to cope with the additional stress to perform that this (truely generous) will create for you.

If you think it will disrupt your studies then it would possibly be best to consider a different uni and perhaps look at a postgrad or doctorate at Cambridge

Whatever way you choose I hope it is the best one for you.

[38thBeatle]

For what it is worth, I would say grab the opportunity.Your Grandparents are indeed making a sacrifice but they show their level of belief in you and as others have said, it will open doors for you in the future and in lifetime terms, £60k will seem a snmall price.You would have to work your arse off to justify their faith.Do it I say.

[deg0ey]

I have to say, I agree with everything that's been said - although I think if you do decided to take the opportunity, you would probably get more out than a lot of people as you'll be less inclined to mess about and waste the time, knowing what your grandparents had to sacrifice for you to be there...

The other important thing to think about is whether you actually want to go to Cambridge or whether you'd be going there purely because of the reputation...I passed on Oxford and am heading off to Warwick in september/october because I just didn't feel comfortable in the place, and realised I had only applied because of the name

Good luck in your decision

[HTH AMPS]

why not talk directly to the Uni - explain the situation and see what they suggest.

as others have already said, the Cambridge name opens alot of doors - it may well be worth the risks but make sure you study hard and get a first otherwise it might not pay off.

 :twisted:

[apmaman]

That sucks. 90K for Uni? I commend your grandparents however. They are doing an incredible thing for you should you take the course.

May I remind you that Physics especially is the science that is dying off the fastest. Most Sciences are in decline since schools kids dont take it up. If you do choose to take it, Getting a job wont be a problem. The physics PT in my old school can chop and change which school she goes to because of the huge shortage of physics teachers. Not saying your going to be a teacher, but jobs involving physics are around with no one to fill them. My advice, if you choose to go. Make sure you get 100% out of it. The jobs are there, very high paying jobs.

Follow your heart

[LazyNinja]

thanks for the inputs. HTH I've always kept in touch with the admissions people at Cambridge but there's nothing they can do. They won't give me a bursary either because my fund deficit was too large, so they don't think I'm worth trying to help. If we sold the house, then we'd have more than the required amount, so again I won't get bursaries. If there are thousands of other rich kids from other countries who would pay twice the money to get in, why bother with me?

One thing I find particularly annoying is that refugee kids get to go to uni for normal fees. Fair enough let them have refuge in the country but why do they get support for higher education? We've been paying taxes at higher rates than other people for the past 8 years and we get no support.

Encouraging to know that in real world the degree will be able to open lots of doors for me. deg0ey made an interesting point though, it's true that I did apply there for the name. But I liked the place when I visited although it did seem a bit small.

It's quite interesting that most of you guys think I should go. I joined a physics forum and asked the same question and they said that it doesn't make much difference where you go if you're doing physics. Only the graduate study matters or something. I guess that's if youre going into research.

[Adam.M]

I keep forgetting you're from leeds, lazyninja.

Are you the one that nabbed that Laney AOR from my hands, me missing out by a meer two quid? :P i think so...

This is quite interesting for me actually, ever since high school i have been trying to figure out what degree i should go for, what to study, bla bla. I have no real aspirations to do any particular thing, but i do remmeber physics being quite interesting, and i heard there is a massive shortage of physics teachers...

Is studying physics a good idea for a general degree?

That's all i'm after, not to study a specific subject really, but i don't want to be cornered off into one area, i was origionaly studying computing but, my god, being stuck in the world of IT would have drove me insane.

Hmm!


And, i'd say wait two years... surely you can apply again?

[Ted]

Physics is statistically the most profitable degree as it sets you up for anything -  banking, law, any science or technology based job.  High level employers are not interested in specific skills learned during degrees but a level of literacy and mathematical ability.  Physics provides those criteria.  I interview trainees in my work and physics is one of those degrees that open doors.

As to Cambridge, i'm biased because I went there - it is one of the best universities in the world, its reputation is known worldwide and most employers look at the words MA (Cantab) as a magic ticket.  

So, yes its worth hardship, but preferably your own.  I can see your dilemma, your grandparents would be making a massive sacrifice - is there no way of negotiating a deferral of your place?

I agree with Elliot. Cambridge is a magic ticket.

If you do not do it you will regret it for the rest of your life. I am sure you would do the same for your grandchildren and count yourself lucky you have such caring and loving family.  

Yes its £90k, but your earning power in this country, at present and if you decide to apply yourself is immense.