I’m trying to pick which school is best for me. I want to major in either pre-pharmacy or something like biomedical science. I have gotten in to Alabama and UAB, but auburn is not mailing out admission letters until December. I really love auburn and I have a good chance of getting in but it’s the most expensive school for me, I would only get 4000 a year in scholarship money. Alabama I would be able to get 8000 a year. UAB I would get 8000 a year + half off tuition because my parents work there. Even though UAB is the cheapest it’s 15 minutes away from my house and my parents work there. What should I do?
Unless you are planning to start classes in January, you have time to make your decision.
Run the financial numbers with your parents. Go to visit each university and spend time on the campus. Meet with the pre-pharmacy advisor, and check out the various bioscience programs. Have an overnight visit in one of the residence halls at each place. When it is time to choose next April, you will be ready to do that.
If you can live on campus at UAB for at least your first year, chances are you won’t see your family more often than if you studied farther away. Talk the on-campus living option over with your parents.
Also consider the financial cost and what plans, if any, you have for degrees beyond a bachelors. How does any of that play into your future plans? You may “like” one university more than another, but does the added cost of it offset what your your future plans? Understand that cost can include interest and opportunity costs, as well.