<p>I am having the most stressful time trying to choose between these two schools. I know you guys do not need my entire life story, so I'll just list what I think are the most important facts.</p>
<p>I am an Asian American planning on studying Neuroscience or Cognitive Science</p>
<p>University of Rochester</p>
<p>-Total cost of four years (COA - grant without considering loans) = 60k
-I am from Rochester so I have a network to get started off of, but I will not get the "college experience."
-Strong premed program, which goes somewhat hand in hand with neuroscience. Also close to the U of R medical school and Strong Memorial Hospital where there is a program to work within those institutions as well.
-No course requirements
-I don't mind the cold winters because I'm used to it.
-I have friends going there from my high school</p>
<p>University of Virginia</p>
<p>-Total cost over four years = 104k with grant only (without loans or work study) (44k more!!)
-My parents say that they should be able to afford the 44k more, but personally, I will be attending grad school/medical school, and saving 44k now means having 44k later.
-I am in the Echols Scholars program which also takes away course requirements, gives me an edge in getting the classes I want, and provides me with support from chosen faculty.
-Stronger in social sciences than in natural sciences, but still top tier in both.
-Beautiful weather with lots of people (3x size)
-"College experience" of being away from home, and gives me more room to grow as a person, not just a student.</p>
<p>I only have 3 more days to decide, all opinions are appreciated!</p>
<p>Who is paying for your education? Are your parents underwriting your full COA? Will you (or your parents) be taking out loans to finance any part of your 4 year COA? How much in loans?</p>
<p>Do you plan on going to grad or professional school?</p>
<p>~~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p>In terms of the quality of the neuroscience program–here’s a comparison of the graduate program rankings:</p>
<p>In term of faculty status/recognition–UR’s neuroscience faculty has more publications, more citations and more awards per faculty member than the faculty at UVA. And overall in peer rank rating, UR scores in a higher range than UVA. (17-68 v. 22-81)</p>
<p>I think $44k is a lot of money. I didn’t understand the lack of “college experience” line but other than getting away from home and warmer winters there is no reason to pick UVa</p>
<p>There are lifetime limits on federal loans. Any $$ you borrow for undergrad mean there are fewer $$ available to borrow for med school.</p>
<p>$44K is alot. $44K will pay for 1 full year of medical school at one of the NY State SOMs or approx one semester at any private SOM in the US.</p>
<p>(I have one in med school right now. Believe me she’s glad she has any and all funds she DIDN’T use for undergrad to pay for medical school. Massive loans are a b*tch. BTW, she had her “full college experience” about 20 minutes from home. She dormed and I never saw her/heard from her for weeks at a time.)</p>
<p>I can appreciate wanting to get away from the Rochester winters, but I’m not sure a change in climate is worth $44,000.</p>
<p>And unless your family lives right next to campus-----honestly, how often are you going to go home? D2 knows all sorts of kids who are from nearby towns and the city itself. They don’t go home any more often than anyone else. They’re having the “full college experience.” Just at a school that’s 30 minutes away from home instead of 8 hours.</p>
<p>Good news is if you live near home, you can steal food from them, borrow a car if you want, store stuff over the summer for you and your roomies, and otherwise avoid them.</p>
<p>If you live on campus, you’ll still get the “college experience” even if you live in Rochester. My d has friends who are kids of university employees; they don’t see their parents every day on campus and have about the same kind of experience that she’s had. Although they knew where the Wegman’s was, and she had to find out!</p>