<p>Disclaimer: Yes, I have posted this in the Parents forum. I was also seeking advice of parents.</p>
<p>Hello. Admissions are now over, but I find myself yet in a difficult quandary. I have been admitted to the following: University of Arizona Honors College, Duke, Northwestern, Dartmouth, Cornell, Berkeley, and Rice. </p>
<p>I am very interested in attending Cornell or Duke while majoring in Biological Sciences or Biology, respectively. I hope to attend medical school afterwards, but would like to leave my options open. An interview with a Cornell alumni very much endeared Cornell to me, especially with how he described the professors and curriculum. I like Duke's proximity to a prestigious medical center and the FOCUS program. In summary, it would be my dream to attend these schools for an undergraduate experience. I hear Cornell has a very nice undergraduate research atmosphere and focus, and the students are collaborative. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, like many of the other 1.6 million high students, the dream ends there, hamstringed by financial aid problems. For each of these private universities, I (my parents) would have to pay around $30,000 to $35,000 dollars. Berkeley takes the cake with an astounding $42,000 (with $250.59 in grant aid). The silver lining in all this is the fact I have a full-ride to the University of Arizona. </p>
<p>So my dilemma is this. If I attend any of these private universities, I will have to pay for medical school myself through loans ($200,000 + undergraduate debt of $15,000). If I go to the University of Arizona, my parents will pay for medical school, which means in the event I graduate, I am free of debt.</p>
<p>I would like to hear your input on this. If any of you, especially in medical school, can give me any input if have this debt is worth the experience or if medical schools care greatly about which undergraduate university you attended, I would appreciate it. How long does it take one to pay off this debt? I'd really appreciate any advice you could give me about getting admitted to medical school/financial aid. </p>
<p>I have also heard from several people that it might be better to attend a school such as the UoA because you will stand out more (and get a better GPA) than if you attended Cornell. Does this have any validity?</p>
<p>In advance, thank you for your time.</p>