I was raised and am very much so an Auburn fan. However, I’m also a military brat who has lived all over and out of state tuition at Auburn is sky high, so I had to pick more financially reasonable schools to apply to. Mississippi State ended up on the list, and I am waiting to hear back. I know they aren’t direct rivals, but they are both SEC, and in my family that is practically blaspheme. :)) I really liked what I saw, and with the tuition waiver for military dependents, it’s really affordable. I could see myself being really happy there. Anyway, this isn’t a “help me choose!!!” or “do med schools care where you go???” thread. Just curious to see if anyone else found themselves in a position where they ended up at a rival school. 
Ah, a good and serious question.
“I really liked what I saw, and with the tuition waiver for military dependents, it’s really affordable.” As a retired military officer, that seems like a very reasonable and strong rationale. In addition, you can be almost assured you’ll always be the “center of attention” at family gatherings.
Med schools principally care about your undergraduate curriculum, grades, recommendations, and MCAT scores. I don’t believe there would be a scintilla of difference among schools like Auburn, MUS, and Ol’ Miss (whereas, Vanderbilt – also an SEC university – might make a small difference . . . other CC participants will even disagree with this).
I thank you – and your family – for your service . . . kids and spouses also serve!
In the Alabama parents Facebook page, there are parents who are/were UTenn, Vandy, LSU, Auburn, and UFlorida grads/fans…they have adjusted…
Go where you want.
Don’t choose a school based on the athletic program. Seriously. My family’s connection to Michigan State spans 3 generations, but my son’s top two choices at the moment are Michigan and Notre Dame. I would send him to either in a heartbeat.
Go to the school that is both the best match and that is affordable. Both schools should be fine for med school. Sounds like you may soon be rooting for Auburn UNLESS they play Miss. State!!!
My sons at Auburn and his grandfather is an Alabama grad and he has one cousin attending now - Dad an Ole Miss grad - uncle and cousins - TAMU, UT(Austin), and Oklahoma - I’m the odd man out at North Texas and we all still get along!
I have three Michigan alumni and two Ohio State alumni in my extended family. As far as I know, other than a bet on a football game a many years ago, the rivalry is irrelevant within the family.
A lot of people take these college feuds way too seriously.
“I have three Michigan alumni and two Ohio State alumni in my extended family. As far as I know, other than a bet on a football game a many years ago, the rivalry is irrelevant within the family.”
That’s because academically there is no rivalry.
My D’s best friend is in a family where literally everyone went to Ohio State, and are rabid fans, but she did not have the grades and scores to get into OSU. She is going to Michigan State. My D may end up at Michigan. They really don’t care. I am a Kentucky alumna and very active, and have a niece who went to Louisville and married an Indiana graduate. Doesn’t make me love them any less!!