<p>I am trying to decide between Brown (with virtually no financial aid) and UMD which gave me a full ride (I’m a Banneker Key scholar- so that covers tuition, books, housing, & meals).</p>
<p>I like Brown a lot more, but I would just feel so guilty knowing that I could have saved my parents 200 grand by choosing it over UMD. Guilt aside (which btw is completely internal- parents super supportive), I have a few other concerns:</p>
<p>a) I will be going to med school, so GPA and MCAT are most important. At Brown, I will probably get average grades, and be in upper middle. At UMD, there’s a better chance that I will get good grades and be ranked in the top- but then again, people turn down Harvard to go to UMD and UMD doesn’t have a good science program, so my MCAT might suffer</p>
<p>b) This is a generalization, but the people I will be associating with at Brown will most likely be a higher class than at UMD. Its just fact- networking is important, and Brown will expose me to a whole different group of people. </p>
<p>c) UMD is really close to NIH and Washington, with MANY internships, whereas at Brown, there are not as many well established medical institutions. </p>
<p>d) I do not want to go to a big school- that’s why I don’t like UMD.</p>
<p>I would love anybody’s input, but especially those currently premed at Brown. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>First, letters a and b are completely false. UMD is a great school and is an excellent feeder school for medical schools. To be honest, many medical schools are no longer placing strict focus on statistics. They are looking for well-rounded students. If you go into any school with this attitude, you will not do well. As for the class comment, I know a whole lot of rich people with very LITTLE class. Money does not equal class. If you’re looking for a network, you would expect UMD’s to be larger by virtue of your own statement. Additionally, each program is what you make of it. If you want the Brown name, take it. But don’t for one second think a higher class of people go to Brown than to any other school in this country. </p>
<p>I don’t mean for this to sound harsh or mean, but its really arrogant to think, “Brown will most likely be a higher class than at UMD. Its just fact- networking is important, and Brown will expose me to a whole different group of people.” </p>
<p>I’d suggest visiting both places and making the decision based on the your interactions with faculty and students. If you’re interested in medical school, talk to them about MCAT programs built into the curriculum. Also look into research opportunities.</p>
<p>I wasn’t saying that rich people equal class, because by god do I know that that is false. By class I was thinking more along the lines of a higher intellectual level and also people will higher dreams and aspirations. (I probably could have chosen a better word.) Again, I know that this is overgeneralizing, because you will find duds and superstars at any place, but there is some truth- after all, it is an ivy, and maryland is a state university.</p>
<p>chousha – I sent you a PM.</p>