Okay,

I got accepted back in February, like everyone else, I would assume. I was excited at first, but now I don't know. It is like I am just stuck. It is like I am just going into this big depression and a whole lot of "what if" questions. What if I don't get a good paying job? What if I can't handle it? What if I have a mental breakdown? What if something happens in my family, and I am 20 hours away and can't get back in time? What if I have to file for bankruptcy before I even turn 24? What if I loose more than I can gain? What if I can't handle the $800-$1500 monthly loan payments? What if...? What if...? What if...? That is all I can think about right now and I don't know if I should go. I mean I got a $4,000 scholarship, but after all is said and done I will be in debt probably like around $80,000-$95,000 and I really don't know if I am ready to take on that responsibility so soon in life. I am just wondering is anyone else having doughts and thoughts like these, and if so, how are you dealing with them because it is draining all my energy and I can barely can get up to go to work and school now. I am just a month away from graduating, and I am getting so far behind in everything. I am always angry and I just want to be at peace and know for sure that everything will work out! So please just tell me your thoughts about all of this, this school, is it really worth this much money, time, and eneergy. Thanks I would greatly appreciate it.

Well, for one, the scholarship you received, assuming it is the same thing I got, is renewable for ten quarters, so rather than a $4000 scholarship, it can be turned into a $40,000 scholarship(I do believe). This is a for profit school, and as such, has a hefty price. At the same time though, their ability to produce seems to be outstanding so long as you are willing to do your part and put in the time and effort. It isn't an easy choice though, that much I understand. I'll be moving about 25 hours from my home as well, including my four year old brother and my grandmother who is in and out of the hospital. This is one of the hardest decisions you will make, but at the same time, it has the ability to mold your future for the better or worse. That choice will be up to you in the end. Good luck with the decision, and hopefully, I'll see you at Neumont Fall 2010.

i just had the same feeling like you! the hole what if.....
but i guess i just have to stop worries and just go with it!

@DannyPham92: You will be fine, just go for it and as long as you work hard you will be fine.

Side note, I agree with JacobRios, make sure that you want to go into the computer field before you come to Neumont. It is not the place to figure out if it is something you are intereste in.

So, I have some input here. I came to Neumont with absolutely NO computer science experience. There were a lot of people in my cohort who did have prior experience and it was intimidating at first. However, because I had no experience, I wasn't already "set in my ways" of coding, as some people were. I honestly can't believe how much I have learned.

Before coming to Neumont, I had friends who graduated from here. I already had proof that their salaries were nice. Even knowing that, I was very worried about finding a job. Luckily, a lot of companies come to Neumont looking to hire. I graduate in a month and I accepted a job 3 weeks ago. My roommate doesn't graduate until September and he has 2 job offers already. I'm not saying everyone finds a job right away, there are always exceptions, but if you do well in school you will get a job. I was worried about how I would compare to CS graduates from other schools. Every company I interviewed with told me they were impressed with how much we know compared to students at other schools.

As far as tuition goes...well you can go somewhere cheaper for 4 years and have 4 years of interest rather than 2 1/2. Personally, I'd rather be working that extra 1 1/2 years and bringing in money.

You're going to have "what if" questions no matter what you decide. Good luck, I know this was the right choice for me and I bet you'll be glad if you do it.

Personally I don't really care about the debt I could accumulate... I'd rather get a good education and know I can pay it off in the long run then get stuck in some MacDonalds and pretend like I know what I am doing when it comes to programming. Besides, even though you are paying the $ to go to the college, you still get out earlier and can pay most of them off fairly quickly. You have to jump on it fast before you start getting taxed though.

You should only be worried if you can't be committed to this program. Like a few said before me, you have to follow through and not give up. Money isn't the issue. it's you doing well. Now, I can't say that I won't quit the program, but I will try my best to get through it. Now, you must decide whether or not you are prepared to do the same.

As far as anything else you are worrying about, toss them away... You only need to focus on a better life, whether you attend Neumont or not.

Guys, i hope you take Laura's and all of the alums in this thread advice seriously. I was in the same boat as Laura when i came here i had no real experience at programming, but i took my classes seriously and did my best in all of them, now i am going into my 4th quarter here and i couldn't see myself anywhere else. sure i will probably be in debt for a long time but i know how to manage money and i dont plan on being a big spender right out of college. you ask yourself these "What if " questions, questions i asked myself before coming here, questions i thought i had answered but i couldn't really answer until i got out here. if you do decide to come here and ever feel overwhelmed there are people who can help.

If you let these "What if's" run your life you will never know What could have been.