Interview with Kara Strack
Interview summary:
Interview summary:
I had the opportunity to interview Kara Strack, who is a
junior Biology major and Business minor at Lebanon Valley College. She inspires
to specialize in the sports medicine field but the cost of college is most
likely going to prevent her from t
his dream. We discussed her current student
debt and how this is affecting her choice of medical school. Additionally, she
gave her insight of how she believes the student debt crisis could be fixed.
Questions:
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: Grad school, possibly school to become a physician’s assistant
or a masters program in a medical related field, any program I can get into and
be able to afford.
Q: Do you know how much student debt you will have post
graduation from LVC?
A: Probably a little over $100,000.
A: The debt is overwhelming and definitely influences my medical
school plans. Medical school is very time consuming and expensive. At this
point I do not have the means to be able to pay for medical school.
Q: If money were not an issue, what would be your dream
field to work in?
A: Sports medicine doctor of osteopathic medicine.
Q: Do think the government should work on providing means to
lower the nation’s high student debt?
A: Yes.
Q: How do you think the government should do this?
A: More taxes on the wealthy, more tax money toward the
education system, stricter means of allowing applicants into college, more in
depth background/financial checks to give out funds to those who really need
it.
Q: How do you see college being in the future?
A: More online, Skype classes, be able to save money and not have to pay for room and board, more segregation of majors meaning science majors will more likely be on campus because of labs while other majors, such as English, do not need as much in class work.
A: More online, Skype classes, be able to save money and not have to pay for room and board, more segregation of majors meaning science majors will more likely be on campus because of labs while other majors, such as English, do not need as much in class work.
The people interested in the medical field may never get the job they want even if there is a huge demand for the position due to the student debt for undergraduate students. Kara isn't the only one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Emma. I think it is a HUGE problem that student debt can hold people back from furthering their education.
DeleteI also am struggling with debt, and looking to go to a law school after graduation creates worry that I won't be able to afford it. In this day in age, many employers require grad school, med school, law school, etc., but many students cannot afford it leaving them at a disadvantage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Megan, I agree that employers are requiring potential employees to attend undergraduate and graduate school yet these employees can't afford it. I also think it is a problem that schooling is so expensive yet recent graduates face such a small starting salary that must be able to pay for their basic expenses and student loans.
DeleteI am a physical therapy major meaning that I also have to attend several years of grad school. The thought of extra debt from my post grad years was a major drawback of choosing this career and at this point, I still do not know how I'm going to pay it off.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Julia, many medical students face such high debt that they are unable to pay off for years.
DeleteGrad school is expensive and it is overwhelming to think about how I am going to pay off going to PT school. I knew this college was the best choice for me but the cost almost didn't allow me to attend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, it's unsettling that students may have to change their career path because of the high cost of schooling.
DeleteAs a recent grad just entering repayment for my loans, it is a bit troubling to think about how long student debt will impact my life. If I follow the repayment plan created for me, I will be paying student loans for 10 years. Student loans have a big burden on my monthly budget as it is. There are lots of things I would love to do it the next 10 years (buy a house, go on a nice vacation) but student loans may definitely get in the way of that. I certainly am glad I went to grad school, and do not regret going, but I wish I would have been made more aware of the realities of debt when I was applying for college.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Kate, student debt is really a large burden to many. While students do look into costs of college before attending, I don't think students realize the amount of debt they will truly will be in. I hope you are able to go on a nice vacation someday! (and maybe you'll be able to take your sister along too)
DeleteIt is terrible to graduate with that much debt. Kara has some good thoughts regarding how college will change in the future. But the one thing we do not need is more tax dollars for colleges. Federal tax money going to colleges is actually the problem - colleges use that money to make the administration richer, while the students borrow more and more. If colleges had to compete on their own merits without federal help, tuition would fall.
ReplyDelete