Hey all,
I’m currently accepted by UNC-CH, UMichigan, UVa, NC State, and waiting on Wake Forest and Davidson.
I’m in NC, so I probably going to be covered by financial aid at Carolina and State. Davidson and WF are need blind, but I don’t know if I will get in. Not sure how to pay for Michigan or Virginia…
Anyways, I want to major in Marine Science, but since place like UVa doesn’t offer it philosophy or computer science will work too. But nonetheless though I will be pursuing on a Pre-Med route. So which school do you think I should go?
I didn’t get into any honors programs except NC State. Will it be advantageous to go to NC State? for their honors program and GPA?
If cost is an issue, and you think you are going to med school, minimize your debt. Med school is expensive, and any school you have listed is fine for pre-med. look at your least expensive options – which ones have Marine Science?
If you can’t afford UM or UVA, obviously not those.
Need blind does not necessarily mean meet full need so if you can’t afford WF or Davidson, not those either.
I see from a quick google that both UNC and NCs have some form of marine bio (although it does look like they might have different focuses as UNC’s was “marine bio, evolution, and ecology” and NCs was “marine, earth, and atmospheric sciences” or something like that). See which one’s focus is more in line with what you want to study. Look through the course catalogue of each school and see how many courses at each school you want to take (not just for marine bio, I mean every department you’re interested in). Does one have significantly more than the other?
What tangible benefits does the honors program provide? Just having the designation won’t mean much, but if it gives you things like more advisors, smaller classes, priority registration, better dorm environment now you’re talking.
UVA and UMich require CSS Profile…did you fill those out?
what was your FAFSA EFC? How much will your family pay each year?
Avoid debt as an undergrad because med school is expensive and will likely include debt.
One thing to consider if your family can’t pay much is TRAVEL COSTS. I know that travel costs are (supposedly) included in COAs, but often the estimate is very inadequate for those who must travel a distance and who will want to come home for holidays. When families have limited funds, getting a college kid home for a holiday can cost $500+ that they don’t have.
Sorry for the late response… Have a lot going on lately @katwkittens
I did, and I have not visited any of them. It’s almost impossible with the traveling cost and my parents’ work.
This is amazing! What are they majoring in?
Sorry for the late response… Have a lot going on lately @iwannabe_Brown
Great insight thanks! and I will go through them!
What if Carolina has a bigger “name,” should I still go to NC State for the honors program? I think the benefits you listed do come with the program.
Sorry for the late response… Have a lot going on lately @mom2collegekids
I did! In fact, all the schools except NC State required CSS profile.
My family’s EFC is 0 I think? We fell below the poverty line for a family of 4.
Thank you for pointing that out! I guess I just have to stay instate… The travel costs to Virginia will already raise a concern, let alone to Michigan… Carolina and NC State, on the other hand, are just half hour away.
They’re both well known schools. I don’t know enough about either to know how much of an advantage those types of perks are at NC state vs. what being a regular student at UNC is like (e.g. if it’s really hard to get the classes you want at UNC, then maybe having priority registration at NC state is big plus). From my super quick google search, I would assume the course offerings of UNC and NC state are quite different when it comes to marine bio. I would think that is very important.
Hopefully you get a chance to visit your schools, sometimes it’s just a matter of which one “feels” best.
@iwannabe_Brown I’ve been to Carolina and State multiple times and I guess Carolina really fits me. Carolina also offers a semester down at Morehead City for marine students.
Have you received your financial aid packages from UNC or NCSU? If you have a 0 EFC then you should qualify for the Carolina Covenant and the Pack Promise.
Did you apply to Davidson EDII and if so did you get back your decision? And did they include their financial package?
For med school your GPA is of great importance, along with your MCAT, ECs, research, LORs, community service and shadowing opportunities. Where will you be most comfortable accomplishing this?
State and Carolina are not that far apart geographically its more the feel of the two schools and of course what you want to major in. Daughter majored in animal science at State (which is not at UNC) and son received degrees in biochem, microbio and genetics from state. Other son received a mech e degree from another state school, all were happy with their educations.
UNCW has the best marine bio program but if you are looking to be pre-med then state or carolina might be better. Research opportunities exist at both, as do TONS of distractions…so you need to keep your head in the game if you really want med school esp. at UNC or Duke. Son had plenty of fellow students and friends at both state and unc-ch with 4.0 and decent MCATs who did not get into ANY NC med school. It is tough, really tough.
Son is graduating med school this year and his class has plenty of students from schools other than ncsu and unc-ch. App state, Western, ECU, UNC Asheville, A&T…and some OOS mostly all private.
@katwkittens
I was in another application program called the Quest-Bridge, which I was selected as a finalist but was not matched with Davidson for a full ride. I love Davidson for its amazing academic environment, but didn’t want to risk to apply ED II since I needed more time. My counselor did mentioned to me both Carolina Covenant and Pack Promise, and I’ve filled out all the financial aids. I’m waiting at this point. Ultimately though, I feel like my decision will come down to between Carolina and State.
I understand that pre-med and med school are both extremely competitive and daunting and that I may never be as accomplished and talented as your son (btw congratulation to you and your son!!!). I therefore decided to have marine science as an alternative path. I came from a line of fishermen and am practically raised by the sea, so I know I will not regret this decision. I, however, do regret for not applying to UNCW! My father is a part-time commercial fisherman down at Swan Quarter. To him, pre-med is unrealistic and marine science is more practical. Nonetheless, I still want to give medicine a shot, mainly for personal reason. I don’t want to give up and do feel like I’m capable, at least academically and dedication wise. I, however, have family responsibility to fulfill. I have to take care of my baby brother while my parents work twelve hours a day and six days a week. I don’t know if this will hinder my chance, but regardless I will try to squish in every second, even if I have to sacrifice sleep.
I guess I will just have to wait a little longer to see the financial packages. After all, my family and I are eternally grateful to all these amazing universities! We are especially grateful and honored to make North Carolina our second home!!!
Thank you so so so much for your insight, sincerely… and if you don’t mind I may have to “bother” you a little more in the future.
