Hello, all. I'm in a bit of a weird situation and seeking some advice. I was attending a very small state college while attending a technical college. One was for my undergraduate degree and one was to become a licensed EMT for clinical experience. The state college (3 weeks into classes) denied giving me financial aid because I was attending another college simultaneously. I was planning to use loans for my undergrad and pay out of pocket for my EMT training.
I've already paid for the EMT training and can't get a refund. The training is 6 months. This is just to become a basic EMT. In my city, it's practically impossible to get a job unless you're an Advanced EMT, which is a year's length. I'm basically down to two choices and would like advice on which one to pursue.
Choice 1: Continue my EMT education and take some online courses (NOT prerequisites - stuff like Art Appreciation) that will transfer into the undergrad and do so until January of 2020. Stay at a smaller, cheaper state school and graduate with little debt. The college offers guaranteed research and shadowing. The college used to be even smaller, only offering associate degrees, so I actually end up with an associates and bachelors. In the end, I'll finish with an Associate of Arts in Psychology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, but have a little longer path.
Choice 2: Go instead to a larger university where I'll take a bit more online courses (again, NOT prerequisites) until I'm licensed as an EMT. One of the largest public schools in the state and more expensive = more debt. Plenty of research opportunities (although not guaranteed like the other college) and no guaranteed shadowing. Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on Neuroscience and minor in Biology. Quicker finish.
Note: I am 25-years-old and have a 4.0 cumulative GPA, although I've only taken ~ 16 credit hours. If that matters. I HAVE to work to pay my bills. This is why I've opted to go the AEMT route - different experiences, decent pay in my city, good with my personality, plenty of need, and the like.
Sorry that was so long.
I've already paid for the EMT training and can't get a refund. The training is 6 months. This is just to become a basic EMT. In my city, it's practically impossible to get a job unless you're an Advanced EMT, which is a year's length. I'm basically down to two choices and would like advice on which one to pursue.
Choice 1: Continue my EMT education and take some online courses (NOT prerequisites - stuff like Art Appreciation) that will transfer into the undergrad and do so until January of 2020. Stay at a smaller, cheaper state school and graduate with little debt. The college offers guaranteed research and shadowing. The college used to be even smaller, only offering associate degrees, so I actually end up with an associates and bachelors. In the end, I'll finish with an Associate of Arts in Psychology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, but have a little longer path.
Choice 2: Go instead to a larger university where I'll take a bit more online courses (again, NOT prerequisites) until I'm licensed as an EMT. One of the largest public schools in the state and more expensive = more debt. Plenty of research opportunities (although not guaranteed like the other college) and no guaranteed shadowing. Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on Neuroscience and minor in Biology. Quicker finish.
Note: I am 25-years-old and have a 4.0 cumulative GPA, although I've only taken ~ 16 credit hours. If that matters. I HAVE to work to pay my bills. This is why I've opted to go the AEMT route - different experiences, decent pay in my city, good with my personality, plenty of need, and the like.
Sorry that was so long.
