Cant Decide between two schools!!

Hello,

I am really stuck between two schools as of right now. I am going in as a PharmD major and both of these schools are 0-6 programs. Today I came home from accepted students day at the University of Rhode Island, and expected to put down a deposit tonight but came home to a letter from St.Johns. The letter was an additional deans scholarship of $4,000 for 4 years, so it was a game changer.

These are the way I personally look at the schools, and my pros and cons.

University of Rhode Island:

Pros:

Solid, fairly reputable PharmD program
Easy gpa requirements to stay in the program as well as to keep scholarships
Fellow accepted students seem very cool, and have made several friends already… The reason I mention this is because of their living and learning community, so I feel that it will be very beneficial when studying… not sure though
New buildings… everything I need is new. The pharmacy building, the library, the gym, and special pharmacy only dorms are all brand new and state of the art.
Will accept all my ap classes that I got a 3+ on exams, so ill be getting credit for 3 classes.
Will accept community college credits that I can take over the summer so I can study abroad
Liked the vibe of the school

Cons:

Far away from home, 4.5 hours
Middle of no where, not much to do off campus
The school has a big party school reputation…nicknamed URhigh
The rest of the school is not selective at all, so outside of the pharmacy program I will be surrounded by scrubs

St. Johns University:

Pros:

Close to home…a little over an hour
Reputable PharmD program that may give me better employment opportunities closer to home…I am from NJ
Comes out cheaper as a private school…about $4,000 less a year which will really add up
Much higher GPA requirements to stay in program and keep scholarships
??Private school, do not know if this is a pro, but my parents say it is, I personally do not want the religious affiliation but it wont be a deciding factor
In the city, im not a big city person…but the opportunities in NYC are endless.
Could -possibly- play on one of the division1 sports teams

Cons:
Did not like the vibe of the campus
The fellow PharmD students are mostly foreign kids that seem like that will be very hard to communicate/associate with them, from my experience at the welcome day
Will not accept any of my AP credits
??Will have to take theology classes since it is a catholic school…would rather not do this but many students say it is a good GPA booster

To summarize, I rather go to URI because of the feel/vibe there, the fellow pharmacy peers, and the easier/more straightforward route to my degree and I could see myself there more, but I am not sure if simply this vibe, and several students I met before school even started are worth the extra money, the much further distance, and being surrounded by a big party scene and not selective peers.

I was thinking of calling URI and asking them to match St. Johns scholarships and be straightforward with them, but I would greatly appreciate any advice/comments/tips!!!
Thanks so much

@mattlax27
In the same sort of situation except between URI and Northeastern. I remember you replying to my comment on a different thread, and I’m glad to see I’m not the only one struggling to make a decision. Honestly, I think it might be URI for me. The faculty/staff seem personable and friendly, the new facilities are great, they have lots of clubs/activities, accept 3’s on AP’s, and it seems like one would be able to get a true “college experience” there. I got a decent-ish scholarship to URI (Centennial Scholarship for 6 years and University Fund Grant for 4 years). Not the best, but still better than nothing.

My main concerns about the school are the fact that it might get a little too quiet for me, being in the middle of nowhere. Also, a car is basically almost a necessity if you want to go off campus to Newport/Providence to have fun. Not having a car might also be a barrier when it comes time to finding a pharmacy job when we start doing rotations and internships.

I’m honestly so conflicted. A big part of me wants to go to URI, but something in me just isn’t sitting completely right. I LIKE the school, but I just don’t LOVE it - you feel? My ideal situation would be taking the entire URI campus and just shoving it in the middle of a city like Boston, but unfortunately that’s not possible.

Also, let me know how negotiating the scholarship goes, I tried asking for more money and they said that unless there’s been a change in family finances, nothing really can be done.

We should keep in touch if we end up both going to URI - good luck with your decision.