Cal vs UW vs WashU

<p>Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I'm new. I was just accepted into Cal, UW-Seattle, and WashU. They all have amazing biochemistry programs and research opportunities and I'm not sure which to choose.
UW-Seattle offered me an OOS scholarship for $14,000 a year, which significantly lowers their tuition.
I didn't get any financial aid from any school, so would it be worth it to shell out $55,000 at either WashU or Cal instead of the $30,000 at UW?</p>

<p>Given the poor job prospects in biochemistry, it would not be prudent to take on a lot of debt to major in biochemistry. If you are pre-med, you may need to save money for expensive medical school.</p>

<p>However, be aware that the biochemistry major at University of Washington is competitive admission, so if you are not directly admitted to it as a frosh, you need to apply to declare the major:
[Biochemistry[/url</a>]
It would be a good idea to have an alternate major that is not as heavily impacted in case you are not admitted to the major:
[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/majors/majoff.php]UW”&gt;http://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/majors/majoff.php]UW</a> Advising - List of Majors](<a href=“http://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/academic/bioc.html]Biochemistry[/url”>http://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/academic/bioc.html)</p>

<p>Yeah, that’s what I was thinking as well. Medical school is extremely expensive. So pre-med at UW is a good idea, right? Thanks!</p>

<p>Not worth it. Save your money for the more expensive grad school and concentrate on Summa Cum Laude Phi Beta Kapa !</p>

<p>I’d choose UDub given your situation. Premium for Cal and WashU isn’t worth it IMO.</p>

<p>UW was initially where I was leaning to too. But I guess what made me hesitant was the added prestige from Cal and especially WashU. Do you think that will help me in the future with med school apps? I’m also in a dual enrollment high school, so I can graduate college in 2 years (although I’ll probably do it in 3) so that will shave off a bit from the tuition.</p>

<p>Personally, I don’t think Cal is worth the premium - especially for pre-med where grades and MCAT scores are more important. Cal pre-med is tough and advising isn’t the strongest. If you’re willing to pay a premium, Washington University in St. Louis (if that’s what you mean) would provide more care and feeding.</p>

<p>Okay, I will think these things over again. Thank you so much for your help!</p>