I’m torn between two schools. They’re too small and specific to an area so it’s not like I can flash a name and spark a “Georgetown vs BC vs Brandeis” debate. Nevertheless, I’m really torn between the two. I’m going to name them A and B.
School A is close to home and I’m familiar with the area. I was just accepted to a special program where, as long as I keep my GPA at a certain point, I am guaranteed into the pharmacy school of my dreams. I received merit so, if I don’t live there, it’s free. If I do live there, I would only have to take out the ~5,500 maximum that undergrad students are allowed. I really do like the school and I’ve already toured. I think the campus is nice and it’s not too big; however, it’s not the type of campus I personally imagined. There are sidewalks, parking lots…not many grassy areas. You can pretty much drive through the campus to get to the other side of the town, and the surrounding area is somewhat suburban (lots of houses, stores, a mall, a hospital etc.) Plus, even though it’s a small school (less than 10,000 undergrads) and the average class size is about 13, I don’t know if I’m going to have that small class experience and close relationship with the faculty that I desire.
School B is 8-9 hours away from home but I’m also familiar with the area. The school is much smaller; there are about 1,000-2,000 students. The campus is beautiful. There are rolling green grass hills and even a lake. I don’t have that guaranteed aspect when it comes to pharmacy though; I would just major in Biochemistry and have to reapply to pharmacy schools and take the PCAT. This was originally something I didn’t want to do. However, for School B, when I think of that campus, it makes me feel so comfortable and the community seems very close-knit and tight. I feel confident that I can receive that small class experience and faculty interaction that I desire. There’s one major problem though–expense. You’re all probably thinking I’m crazy for even asking this question. I even think I’m crazy as I’m typing this up but let’s chalk that up to “Senior Stupidity.” School B, after merit and my 5,500, will cost me 30,000 dollars a year. I have no Swiss bank account chiming my name from the Alps. This would have to be covered by loans.
I’ve read the CC threads. I know what people have said but I literally have the conflict blazing in my own head. Right now, it’s brain versus heart. Deep down, I know what is probably the right thing to do but I also know what my heart really wants. So please, after reading this unintentionally long post, tell me…A or B?
Alright, so I’ve been invested in your case for quite a while now, so I have some pretty good insight on how you’re feeling. To start, let me say that I COMPLETELY understand the whirlwind of emotions that you’re experiencing right now. I’m also very much in a spot of affordability vs. prestige that has me tied up and confused. Because of this, take my opinion with a grain of salt. Heck, I’m having trouble following the advice that I am about to give you. Just use it as some food for thought, if you will.
So. The results. In this case, option A wins. You’ve told me time and time again how excited you are to have direct admission to your dream graduate school and how you might even get to play soccer for this school. It’s also within budget, but that’s not actually why I’m suggesting this to you. I’m suggesting option A because I know how much you truly love it. You’ve told me time and time again about how much you love this school and the programs that will be available to you. So no, maybe it doesn’t have the “big name” or “prestige” that your other school does. But does it have to for you to be happy? Do what makes you the happiest. Seriously. I’m not joking. If option B makes you the happiest, it may be well worth taking out the loans. If the security that option A makes you the happiest, then go with that choice.
I’ll leave you with this final thought: sometimes, maybe getting in can be enough. It attests to you as an academic and an individual at the very least. If you’re capable to getting in to option B, you’re capable of succeeding at either school. I believe in the fact that you will make the right choice. The only wrong choice is the one you make with regrets. Go in with an open mind and you can do no wrong.
If you are planning to go on to pharmacy college, then I would think you’d want to keep your undergrad expenses to a minimum. $30,000 a year is $120,000 total- yikes! That is a heck of a lot of money to owe BEFORE you even move on to pharmacy school. Graduating with that kind of debt means your debt will control your life. In addition, you can’t borrow that much money- do you have someone to cosign for a loan? School A may not be your dream school but it sounds like a very good option with a LOT of plusses going for it. I would bet that once you are there, you will becomed very comfortable and be happy. I totally understand your frustration, but step back and make a list of pros and cons and try to remove the emotions from your decision. Good luck!
My parents are the only people available to cosign. I didn’t want to put them in that position which is why School A was so optimal. However, my mom highly expressed that she did like that school. Nevertheless, you have some very good points @takeitallin. Thank you and @minohi for posting! I will be visiting School A again very soon so I will have a better idea of the class sizes, the vibe of campus etc.
School A means $5,500 per year in debt, possibly less if you live at home and commute some years (you may want to consider living on campus frosh year, but then commuting later years).
School B means $35,500 per year in debt. Parentally cosigned loans and parent loans are generally a bad idea for both the student and parent (especially if the student wants to go to expensive professional school later).
This means that school B is unaffordable to you. So school A wins by default.
The pharmacy program guaranteed admission can be an extra bonus of school A, if the GPA needed is reasonable.
For class sizes, you can try looking in the school’s class schedule to see what the sizes really are.
For much, much less than that extra $30,000 per year you could go on a really nice spring break every year to somewhere with a lovely lake and rolling green hills. I totally understand the pull of a good-looking campus, but for that price differential, it’s just not worth it. Go to the bargain school, get your pharm degree, and go for a few nice weekenders while you are at it.
If your parents can’t contribute anything toward the $30,000, then it’s school A. It sounds like a good fit for what you want and DO live on campus at least your first year. Find a park or nice area in town or nearby where you can be surrounded by lush trees and landscaped horizons, it won’t be the same as living on a beautiful campus, but it’ll help a bit, and you’ll save enough that you should be able to treat yourself to a few things from time to time, like a Spring Break trip, weekends in the city, study abroad (why not study abroad or away at one of these historical campuses - check out “national student exchange” or the study abroad options - many European universities are old and urban, but you may luck into one that’s green.)
Update: I had toured School A in full-depth a few days ago and loved it. The classes were good, the campus was very nice, and the students were very nice and friendly. I am very excited and will be putting my deposit in there soon. Again, thank you very much for your input and I will be eager to hit up the bookstore for a sweatshirt in the next few weeks.
Thank you! Unfortunately, at this time, I’m not going to UNTIL I actually have my deposit in at University A and my declining email at University B. I hope you all understand.
Yes of course - it’s just so that it helps future student readers who may be considering both universities and would look them up through the search engine. Any elaboration on what you especially liked will be welcome once all is set (ie., distinguishing features, etc.)
A little late on Decision Day but I figured hey better late than never.
School A is Stockton University. School B is Saint Joseph’s College in Maine. They both are truly amazing places and I love them; however, my deposit is officially down. I’ve committed to Stockton and I’m very excited and happy.
Congratulations, you not only seem to have made a very sound choice, but you sound very at peace and happy with it. You spend a lot of time on CC helping others sort out their thoughts and opening up new ideas and possibilities to consider that it is wonderful to see you take the next step on your own journey. Best of luck and have a wonderful time at Stockton, a very well made choice!! (-:
Thank you all! I am very excited and eager about the future. I definitely recommend the Stockton + Rutgers route for anyone in NJ who wants to do pharmacy.
