<p>I am really interested in pre med and engineering (compsci, biomedical, or mechanical). I have heard great things about WashU and Davidson, but have to pay full price for both. I haven't visited Case Western yet, but the scholarship is pretty attractive. I have heard the pre med program is really strong at Davidson, but it doesn't have any engineering programs except for a dual degree program with WashU or Columbia. At WashU, on the other hand, I can pursue both pre med and engineering, but I have heard that pre med is pretty hard at WashU. I am pretty confused at this point.</p>
<p>My D was waitlisted at Davidson so if accepted it will be with no money I’m sure. Here is how we have approached the issue. This is undergrad and while important to attend a good school for future plans; it is also important to not go in debt for undergrad if planning to pursue grad school or professional school. As a pre-med major it is important that you get a great foundation but many schools offer that. The MCAT will be a door opener or not; very important.</p>
<p>So to score well you need a good background. Again, many schools offer that with no debt. But that is hard to understand now; I know it is for her. Hearts get set on schools and it’s hard to see yourself else where.</p>
<p>One stat that gets overlooked in all of this is retention rate. Go to all three and look at some of the stats. One college she was accepted to had 86% which didn’t mean anything to me until I looked at others and they are all 96% or above. Lots of factors but still helpful in overall picture.</p>
<p>If you want to be an engineer, a LAC probably isn’t the way to go. If you want to go to med school, Davidson will be a superb option (I am–well, was–a Davidson resident, and I hear only good things about their advising, professors, and research opportunities). However with med school ambitions, finances are always important. If it was me, I’d take the scholarship.</p>
<p>Definitely visit Case Western. If you like it and the bio-medical program they offer, then go for it.</p>
<p>Agree with others that money is a huge factor if you are considering med school down the road. And CW has engineering if you decide to go down that road instead. Love Davidson and have heard great things about Washington/St. L., but from the practical consideration of both offerings and cost, Case Western seems like the clear winner to me. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>momsaysso: has you D gotten off the waitlist of Davidson and accepted the offer?</p>