Anyone still have some regret on picking their undergrad?

For some context, for undergrad, I was admitted to a pretty good private top uni with good b-school (think T-20) with some scholarship money, versus a top state school business school with enough scholarship money to basically cover all of my tuition. I honestly would have fit in better at the private uni, seeing as I was a bit of a small friend group guy and not too outgoing.

I chose the public school cuz 1) I thought it would help push me to be more outgoing and 2) while my parents/debt could afford the education (they did for older sibling) they were getting late in their careers and I didn’t want to burden them (we make good money, but a private uni tuition for 4 years is a big commitment) and 3) I want to be as financially independent as possible.

Now as a senior, I still kind of regret not picking the other choice. I mean, I have a good job lined up, but I really think I would have preferred the private university experience that I’ll never get another chance to have, but knowing me, if I picked the other, I probably would have felt the same regret about not going to the public school choice.

Despite 3 years from making the choice, I still having lingering regret. Anyone else feel the same way, and/or any way of getting over this?

5 Comments
 

I feel the same way but the opposite: I took the T20 Private over the Public and regret it. Guess the grass is always greener.

 

Absolutely. I ended up at a low public because I only applied to one private (my dream university) that ended up rejected me. I only applied to one!!!! Still can't believe how far up my own ass I was… I was SO SURE they were going to accept me. I use that frustration and regret like fuel for success now though 😂😂

 

No, picked the most non-target school out there and it was the best decision I ever made. Chose over a top-30 public school. First student that went straight into IB, full scholarship, and have large savings. Couldn’t imagine it working it out any better and don’t think I would have made it any other way. Big risk, big reward. Down side is not a strong alumni network and may eventually have to get an MBA.

 

Honestly, the grass is greener mentality is real. Everyone I know has bitched at some point about the school that they go to, and complaining is just something people do. But at the end of the day, I highly highly doubt that the school you "regret" wasn't meant for you. I mean, the admissions office people have been at this for years—you really think that a group tasked with a responsibility that big would make many mistakes? So yeah, experiences aren't perfect, but nothing ever is I've come to learn and we should check our expectations.

 
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