Applying to Ivies in a bad financial situation

Paying for College
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<p>Ack! There are some misconceptions about BA/MD programs as stated above. Most important of all while BA/MD may offer need-based FA for the undergrad portion of the 8 year program, they do NOT give need-based aid (except loans) for the professional (medical) school portion of the program. Students are expected to fund their own medical education.</p>

<p>The only advantage that BA/MD programs offer is a guaranteed admission to the medical school associated with the undergrad school. But many of the BA/MD programs have strings attached–like the student must still meet certain conditions, maintain a certain GPA, score above certain level on the MCAT in order to retain their seat. Some BA/MD programs contractually prohibit students from applying outside their own school for the medical school admission even if they have the stats to be considered at other [higher ranked] schools.</p>

<p>And, OP, there are very few unemployed doctors (MD variety); biology PhDs, however, are in a major oversupply right now and have been for the past 10 years.</p>

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<p>Hmmmm. What about ROTC and HPSP? I wouldn’t mind a job as an infectious disease specialist in the Army.</p>

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<p>[How</a> to Go to Medical School for Free - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/paying/articles/2008/06/02/how-to-go-to-medical-school-for-free]How”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/paying/articles/2008/06/02/how-to-go-to-medical-school-for-free)</p>

<p>But, first things first.</p>

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<p>There’s nothing wrong with dreaming and doing everything ethical in your power to get what you think you want, ch53pavelow, but some of the pressure you’re feeling could be alleviated by shifting your focus a little. You seem pretty intent on “the dream school.” In your case, it’s Penn. </p>

<p>I would suggest that you not let this “dream school” drive your college applications to any large extent. Take all the right steps to gain attendance, but then try your best to ignore the fact that it’s your big dream. Since you really love it at this moment, apply. Complete every financial aid and scholarship application available at Penn. And then wait.</p>

<p>Like others have said, it’s not necessarily wise to apply ED. ED is for people without financial concerns, imo. If you apply ED, you’ll be signing letters of commitment and asking others to sign along with you, even though you know that you will likely not be able to afford that choice IF it is offered to you. It is simply not wise, in your predicament, to choose a school before all financial aid offers are in.</p>

<p>Lots of kids have dream schools. The notion of a dream school can really get in the way. In nearly every case, no one, single school is the one and only great fit for any one kid. You can be very happy and thrive (academically, socially, and career-wise) at any number of schools. I am certain. Unless there are really serious individual concerns and complications, ANY kid can find any number of schools that will help them achieve their goals in life.</p>

<p>And furthermore, dream schools are not always what people think they are. You have probably idealized Penn to some extent. There are going to be things about Penn that aren’t ideal, and there are going to be lots of things about Penn that can be found elsewhere – for less money. The whole concept of “dream school” is kind of a fallacy, imo. When you adhere to that concept, you limit your own choices, unconsciously change your view of other options, and sometimes lock yourself into a school that truly is just that – a “dream.” If it’s not realistic, whether that be for finances or for merit (in your case, it seems to be more about finances), then it truly is a dream. And what good is that?</p>

<p>So go ahead and apply. And enjoy dreaming about the possibility of attending. Maybe it’ll come true! But try hard to envision yourself at any number of other great schools during this process. Particularly when finances are an issue, you’ll have better success with scholarships and financial aid, as well as college acceptances, and (most importantly) happiness in college and life, if you’ll broaden your view.</p>

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<p>ROTC is a very competitive scholarship to try for. You can’t just count on getting it.</p>

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<p>IMHO, Beggers cannot be choosers. In your case, you have to go where the money is, set a wider net and see which fish will come in.</p>

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<p>If you are considering med school down the road, take heart. There are some very good programs for providing scholarships and loan repayment. Check out [National</a> Health Service Corps - HRSA](<a href=“http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/]National”>http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/)</p>

<p>The National Health Service Corps has a Scholar program that helps pay your tuition in exchange for service in an underserved area. The Loan Repayment program pays up to $170K or more of tuition for serving in underserved areas.</p>

<p>Don’t ever think that you can’t afford medical school, if that is what you really want. However, if you want to be a specialist, it gets more complicated. These programs are for students that are interested in serving in a primary care capacity, where the need exists.</p>

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<p>Would I be competitive for an ROTC scholarship?</p>

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<p>“I consider myself fairly academically competitive, with a 3.7UW/4.5W, a 2380 on my SAT, multiple 800’s, good EC’s…”</p>

<p>It blows my mind that a senior with this academic profile is worried about his college prospects.</p>

<p>Look, these are amazing stats, and you shouldn’t be worried about getting into a great college that you can afford. </p>

<p>Looks like there are lots of better qualified people to give you advice here than I.</p>

<p>You’re going to be fine. Congrats on your hard work and accomplishments so far.</p>

<p>Oh, open up your mind to other possibilities besides Ivies.</p>

30

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<p>Ah but you could find out (after declining because of the aid being low) that the ED school gave you the BEST financial aid.</p>

<p>If you really have significant financial issues, cast a broad net. Apply to schools with guaranteed scholarships for your stats, apply to schools that are more modestly priced, and apply to some reaches that you know you won’t be able to attend if the finances don’t work out. Apply RD to all…that way you will have some options to compare.</p>

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<p>I got an ROTC scholarship in my senior year (Navy) with much lower stats than you. HOWEVER, do not go for an ROTC scholarship simply because you see no other way to pay for the school you consider the “dream.” ROTC is for people who want to serve in the military.</p>

<p>Also note that you are expected to begin your 4 years of active duty service immediately after college. You have to get special permission to delay your service for medical school, which may incur an additional service requirement. These permissions are also competitive to get; not everyone gets one. Most people don’t!</p>

<p>Also consider that if you do HPSP, especially in the Navy, the military will put you where they need you. You’ll be expected to do your residency program and then return to service, and the service has to approve any civilian residency programs that you do. If they don’t need a bacteriologist, they’ll make you do a residency that they want you to do. There are also many tales of newly minted MDs getting placed to serve after they finish their one-year internship, but before they do a residency. They are usually able to return to do a residency later, after serving as a General Medical Officer (GMO) however long the Navy wants or other service wants. (The Navy does this more often than the other services).</p>

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<p>@juillet
I kind of do want to be in the military. I really like the idea of working under the American flag. I also know that I’ll probably have to spend 12 years in the military, considering that I want to be a specialist. Does the Army get to decide where I serve? I’ve been really interested in the USAMRIID, at Fort Detrick. However, I’m not sure if they’ll let me work there. Idk what to do.</p>

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<p>First of all, college. Then, speak with someone at these programs and get the info from them, firsthand. By the time you’e ready for med school, they may predict a great need for specialists in infectious diesease and bacteriology. There may be a way to attach to a wordlwide or third-world program. </p>

<p>You may also be better served by posting in the med school forum. But, get yourself into a college you can afford first. And, one where you can master the pre-med.</p>

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<p>Whenever you join the military, the military will always decide where you serve.</p>

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<p>Not to mention making most of the other major decisions about your life.</p>

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<p>You will get to put in your preference for your stationing location but the military decides based on the needs of the service. It may or may not match what you’d like. There is also a great potential to be deployed to a location in conflict.</p>

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<p>Wait, do they really need microbiologists on the front lines?
o.o</p>

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<p>

Probably not when you are a microbiologist, but you will be a GP doctor before that.</p>

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<p>And they take those stationing preference forms and make paper airplanes out of them and aim them for the nearest round file.</p>

<p>Out of boot camp, requested “anywhere on the East Coast” - sent to ship homeported in San Diego</p>

<p>Four years later, completing advanced training, requested “anywhere on the West Coast” - sent to ship homeported in Norfolk</p>

<p>Four years later, rotation came up for shore duty, again requested “anywhere on the West Coast” - sent to instructor duty at Great Lakes Naval Training Station</p>

40

<p>Aghhhhh. Hmmm. This is a problem.</p>