A difficult situation...

Pre-Med & Medical School High School Student Topics
1

<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 med schoo, 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 than if you attended Cornell. Does this have any validity?</p>

<p>In advance, thank you for your time.</p>

2

<p>I'm not in medschool but I was in a similar situation. PennState offered me a little of scholarship, Purdue with almost over half, UVA with nothing, and bunch of other schools. When I went to Cornell, I didnt like it too much. The campus and the buildings mostly. I would say go to a school that offered you money, but that's just me. Taking out loans is a *****, and why pay when you can go to a school for free?
But the thing is you have to remember where YOU want to go. If you go to a wrong school, you'll hate it. No matter how cheap or free it is. I would say go to the school you want to. Have you visited those schools yet by the way? You can tell if you like the school or not by simply visiting. One of the reasons why I didnt go to cornell. Go to the school you want to go to even if that means you will be in debt.</p>

3

<p>Admission to med school is a matter of GPA and MCAT scores. Where you earned your undergraduate degree is irrelevant. Also, med school is expensive and the only aid is loans. If you're folks are willing to pick up the tab for med school if you go to UofA, you've got a terrific deal. Plus, you'll be in the honors college at UofA among other serious students. Professors get to know honors college students and you will have access to undergraduate research opportunities if you let professors know that its something that interests you. I know UofA isn't your dream school but you can still have a fabulous undergrad experience if you go with a positive attitude and make an effort to connect with people, professors and students.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Admission to med school is a matter of GPA and MCAT scores.

[/quote]
And essays, and EC's, and interview, and application timing, and advising, and letters of recommendation.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Where you earned your undergraduate degree is irrelevant.

[/quote]

Where you earned your undergraduate degree has very little direct relevance, although there's some if your GPA is on the low end and you have a high MCAT score. However, your undergrad school can affect all the things mentioned above.</p>

<p>
[quote]
the only aid is loans.

[/quote]
Merit scholarships aren't horribly common, but they exist (15% at my school). Need-based aid is usually comprised about half in grants and about half in loans.</p>