<p>As of now, I can't really decide between the two.
I understand they are on completely different levels, but the main problem is money. Columbia is roughly 50k a year, while Stony Brook is only 15k a year (I live in NY) with tuition, room, books, etc.
My family is pretty short on money, especially now in these times. My brother will be in his 3rd year of college during my 1st, and he's attending Stony Brook. A big problem is that I'm hoping to go into medical school, which is another 200k at least if I go to a private school.
I don't think our income is low enough to receive much financial aid, but it's definitely not high enough that my parents can live in comfort when I'm gone.
I understand it's much easier to get into a good med school from Columbia than from Stony Brook, but I'm told Stony Brook's pre-med program is still very highly looked at.</p>
<p>Try to figure out how sure of medical school you are.</p>
<p>If you’re completely gung-ho about it, go with Stony Brook. Where you went to undergrad isn’t as important for med school; plenty of great doctors started out in state schools.</p>
<p>However, if you decide not to pursue med school, a degree from Columbia would be more useful.</p>
<p>
As of now, you don’t need to. You’re a sophomore.</p>
<p>Apply to both, as well as a range of schools in between. Wait to see where you get in and compare financial aid offers. In the meantime, relax about selecting colleges!</p>
<p>60k versus 200k over four years.
I know my parent’s would have already made the choice for me.
While I would rather go to Columbia the financial burden I think is just too much, without scholarships and/or grants.</p>
<p>Wait! I just read the earlier comment… she’s only a sophomore? Lol, I agree, relax!</p>
<p>good catch Warbler.</p>
<p>OP, Columbia, and many Ivy League schools, are extremely generous with aid. Harvard is the most, and Penn or Cornell are probably the least, with Columbia in the middle.</p>
<p>Worry about this when you’ve got actual acceptances!</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips.
The thing with financial aid is that I’m thinking of applying ED to Columbia. What if the financial aid still isn’t enough, and I can’t withdraw?</p>
<p>Then you propably shouldn’t be applying ED…</p>
<p>I believe you can apply ED and not going there if the college doesn’t give you enough aid.</p>
<p>If you are good enough to get into Columbia, Stony Brook would probably give you enough scholarship money so that you’re paying peanuts compared to sticker price private schools.</p>
<p>Columbia promises to meet 100% of need. If your EFC is less than the cost of Stony Brook, then I would recommend applying ED to Columbia. If not, I would go RD with both.</p>
<p>Before applying ED, you need to consider how much your parents would likely have to contribute. If it’s more than they can pay, then Columbia may not be affordable either way. </p>
<p>But, you’re a sophomore. Do you even have any test scores yet? this is too early to be worrying about this.</p>
<p>Don’t apply ED unless you’re sure your parents can pay their likely expected portion.</p>
<p>They say that financial reasons sometimes aren’t good enough to withdraw if you are accepted ED because they say you are supposed to make sure you can handle it financially before you apply ED</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, it’s okay to go to a cheaper undergrad school because you won’t get financial aid for medical school anyway.</p>