We don’t know what suggest fit about any school on the list - but Bama has the unique Mccullough Medical Scholars and yes, an Honors program (largest in the country - not saying that’s a postiive). They also recruit heavily from the NY/NJ area. And the cost after automerit based on his stats would be a fraction of other schools on the list. Vandy - like an NEU - not going to make $$.
@tamagotchi - great analysis on the $ - but one thing is missing - the x3 (triplets). So if each were out at $40K a year and not saying all three are the same - but that’s $120K. A year !!!
So I think OP absolutely needs to get with mom/dad on the $ - but it’s more than OP assuming all three are college bound.
Yes, of course I meant $$ / each
My main point is that the private schools can be pretty expensive even with very nice merit offers… as can OOS public. You need to look long and hard at the total cost estimates.
You can take the courses required for medical school applicants at just about every four year college in this country (arts conservatories excluded).
What is “reasonably priced” for YOU each year? What can and will your parents be able to pay. That could drive the need to add schools to your list….or not.
If you are open to any location…why not look at Alabama, and Arizona, and U of New Mexico where your costs would be modest.
If you have done the net price calculators for all of these colleges…are those net costs affordable?
Rutgers has impressive honors, it’s very hard to get in but I think the OP has a shot (Rutgers and UMASS are the only honors my kids didn’t get into). I think honor students at Rutgers are the only in state students who get merit. My 34 act 3.9 gpa 9 AP did not make the cut.
I do not think that I would be concerned about whether or not you get into the honors college at Rutgers. It is a very good university, and it will prepare you very well for medical school. I understand that you have the stats to most likely have the option of attending a higher ranked university. However, you are going to find premed classes plenty demanding at Rutgers (or Seton Hall or any other school on your list). You are going to find other premed students are in most cases very strong regardless of which university you attend. Also, your very good success and hard work in high school are going to help you to be better prepared to do well in these academically demanding premed classes.
Being both premed and part of a triplet is going to make finances important (I noticed that you said “comfortably middle class”, and not “exceptionally wealthy”).
One daughter was pre-vet (she is currently in a DVM program). At least most if not all of her required pre-vet classes were also premed classes, and some of the friends that she made in those classes are now in medical school. She was in the honors college at a different public flagship (to the north and east of you, and ranked slightly lower than Rutgers). She dropped the honors college at some point because it was not adding anything that she particularly wanted. She still got accepted to multiple very good DVM programs. Doing well in tough classes is important. Getting the appropriate experience (medical in your case) is important. References will be important.
Exactly right. You want to graduate with an MD and as little debt as possible. Even doctors have a tough time paying off their student debt (this is a bigger issue for DVM students).
One thing that I do not know is where the Rutgers medical program is located. Is this in a safe neighborhood? One of your other safeties or likelies or matches might offer enough merit or other aid to make it a good choice also. I would be mildly surprised if Northeastern were to offer you enough aid to make it a sensible choice (it was one of the two most expensive schools that either daughter got accepted to, with similar grades but a slightly lower SAT).
You should also keep in mind that many premed students end up doing something else other than attending medical school.
I think that you are doing well. Good luck and best wishes.
I understand. But I’m asking what about Honors is important ? Would Rutgers be ok for OP sans Honors.
When you say this or that about Pitt Honors like op did - what are you comparing ? What does honors offer you that you want ? Or is Op Just assuming prestige.
I don’t doubt that it’s hard to get into and I don’t doubt it’s a wonderful experience.
It sound like OP might make the Rutgers attendance decision based on Honors. Or not. Why I’m asking or in other words - what about Honors besides the perceived pedigree makes it a must ?
I’m really interested in RHC for multiple reasons. The first is the scholarship. The second is the smaller class sizes; I can bear huge colleges, but would I greatly prefer mid-small classes. The third is the freshman dorms and the priority dorms afterwards. It’s not a dealmaker, but it’s a nice touch. Finally, the fact that “honors” will be on my diploma. I’ve heard that it isn’t super useful, but if I’m applying to med school then everything counts.
I’ve also heard that the community is really nice and supportive.
If I get into Rutgers without the HC (maybe the honors programs instead), then it’ll be ok, though I’ll be a little disappointed. To be fair, it may be because my peers are striving for higher-ranked colleges. There’s nothing wrong with Rutgers.
Very typical, a few honor societies, top choir, school plays, club officers, 3 sport varsity captains, HOSA, CORE, church peer leadership (including overnights), world ranked Irish dancer (danced for 12 years), part time job + regular babysitting, a lot of shadowing hours, started an awareness day for Tourette’s starting in 8th grade and continued through HS. No hooks. I’ve just heard that Rutgers honors college is worth it, also heard TCNJ is not (my kids have a lot of friends who went to Rutgers, my husband and oldest are graduates). My daughters ended up in honors at their colleges and say it was worth it, but not the end of the world if they needed to drop out do to scheduling issues (my daughter’s boyfriend dropped senior year). They really wanted to go OOS anyway (what is up with students so against in state flagships).
Your daughter’s resume is far from typical. I’m shocked that she didn’t get into RHU with such a prolific number of ECs and leadership opportunities. But I’m glad she got into other honors colleges she’s happy with!
I know many applicants with good stats get surprised and even hurt because they expect to get in (probably got into honors elsewhere), which is a shame. It’s hard to keep emotions checked during this stressful process.
While RHU, as well as many applicants online, claim that they use a holistic process to evaluate applicants, my guidance counselor told me that they’re very black-and-white and primarily looks at GPA and test scores. I think this may be compelling evidence for this.
After a discussion with my parents and a period of research and introspection, I’ve decided that I’m more than happy with going to a state school like Rutgers for premed. It makes sense from an academic and an economical standpoint. Shooting for the stars should come when I apply for med school four years from now.
That’s a fantastic decision! Apply to the best med schools, and save your money until then. It won’t matter where you did your undergrad. This is a very smart decision.
I believe you’ll get into honors, with some nice merit $$ to bring down the cost even more. Do update us here. We’re rooting for you.
Your daughter’s resume is far from typical. I’m shocked that she didn’t get into RHU with such a prolific number of ECs and leadership opportunities. But I’m glad she got into other honors colleges she’s happy with!