10 Years Down The Line...

What is your career ? “My future career goal is to be an Astrophysicist.” Where are you living? Do you rent or own? “I am living out of state for a post-grad education, possibly in massachusetts or california.” “I will be renting still, but looking to own in the following years.” “It is not a personal requirement to have a family by 25, but settling down within that Do you have a family? timeframe would be nice, a little early for children however. I wish to finish all education before kids.”

Pros and Cons of Being an Astrophysicist PROS: Many branches Present findings from research and theory tests through journals and conferences Job openings predicted to rise 14% by 2020 Entry level salary avg: $79,000 Many career choices (research, theoretical, etc.) CONS: Require higher education (PhD recommended) hour work weeks Unknown loan forgiveness options

What did you do to get to that point? Did you attend College? I attended college for at least four years for an undergrad education, but preferably would have liked to pursue a master’s or PhD due to the education level needed for the goal careers (Software Engineer vs. Astrophysicist). I would pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, and a PhD of physics afterwards. Did you save? Did you borrow? I saved using my college savings account that was started when I was born, and also likely saved up from small summer jobs before graduating. I used any scholarships available to me, and also borrowed from my family and likely invested in some student loans, probably more towards the post-graduate degree instead of the undergrad.

HSHS Staff Experience: Mr. Domingue z Is still paying off student loans with about $5,000-$6,000 left to pay total. Payments are around $140 per month. Recommends making use of the many scholarship opportunities available. Is still paying off student loans, owing about $25,000 to $26,000 total. Recommends making a plan well before senior year to prepare before actually going to college. Is still paying off student loans, with $300 monthly payments. He cannot estimate how much total might be left. Recommends getting a job as soon as possible. Ms. RiceMr. Will

What are your two top colleges? “My dream college is MIT, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and my other top college (more realistic) is NCSU for the Engineering program.”

Pros and Cons of: MIT PROS: Many financial aid packages Very good reputation One of the best technological and scientific universities in the country Post-Grad (including PhD) programs Internship opportunities 8:1 Student Ratio CONS:PROS:CONS: MIT Website 8% admittance rate Out-of-State (Cambridge, MA)

Pros and Cons of: NCSU PROS: 53% acceptance rate Post-grad path Best engineering school in the state Local Some financial aid packages CONS: NCSU Website 18:1 Faculty to Student ratio In the downtown of Raleigh

The Cost: Although MIT’s four year tuition is almost three times that of NCSU’s, 91% of students attending MIT receive sizable financial aid packages. Chart: Tuition for four years of education (MIT has same tuition for in and out of state) $89,000 $253,000

Scholarships, Awards, and Grants: 1.Niche $2,000 no essay scholarship 2. Appreneu r Scholar 3. MIT Inspire $5,000 Award given after creating a mobile app Cash award ($8,000 last year) TBA each year Award given for research project

Loan Options: If I attended MIT, I would need to split the tuition and pay $90,000 through savings and working, and borrow $100,000 to pay for more of the tuition through the four years. This is also relying on some financial aid packages from the university itself as well as through scholarships and grants. If I attended NCSU, I would borrow $39,000 in student loans for the four years, and pay the $50,000 using savings and hopefully scholarships as well. Loan OptionTotal CostMonthly Payment # of Payments APR College Ave (Lowest) $126,765$ % College Ave (Highest) $23,935$ % Loan Option Total CostMonthly Payment # of Payments APR Suntrust$43,876$ % SallieMae$47,610$ %

Life Beyond College & Work: “Although I’m not sure where I’d like to move specifically, I know I’d like to be close or in a city at least the size of Raleigh.”

To fulfil my slight interest in moving to San Francisco, California, making around $80,000 in Raleigh and moving to CA would need to be matched at a job paying $143,000 in order to balance the heightened cost of groceries, residence, and transportation. Groceries would cost 22% more than Raleigh Housing would cost 291% more than Raleigh Cost of Living

Estimated Monthly Bills: Total Monthly Expenses: $5451 Monthly Housing Expenses: $3510 Monthly Auto Expenses: $320 In theory, this is after completing my education and moving to California, to find a job paying around $143,000 Monthly Savings: $5512 % Housing Cost Over Income: 29.45% % of Total Monthly Expenses Over Income: 45.75% Monthly Household Expenses: $451 Monthly Living Expenses: $720 Monthly Lifestyle Expenses: $450 Affordability Level on Housing Costs:: Fairly Comfortable (Rated 3 out of 5) Affordability Level on Total Monthly Expenses:: Very Comfortable (Rated 5 out of 5)

In conclusion, although my plans may change with more information and interests, a general layout of the possibilities that lay ahead helps to plan out which road I would like to take, whether that be an expensive university that has always been my dream school, or to attend a more prestigious school for a post- grad study if possible and reduce the student loans needed. Reflection