<p>OK, so I know I shouldn't assume I'm going to continue as a pre-med student throughout all four years of college, but I have done some shadowing in the medical community (doctors, nurses, and even the more business side of medicine) and can honestly only see myself in medicine. It's exciting and rewarding. In fact, I was once shadowing a nurse when a patient had an MI, and I was the one to push the "code blue" button. Though I didn't do much, I felt like I was somewhat involved in the saving of his life. So, I am 99.99% sure I will continue being pre-med. Now my dilemma is where to go.
I have been accepted to Michigan State and Eastern Michigan University. I have visited both campuses, and though MSU's is by FAR better, EMU is closer to a clinic and a hospital where I could volunteer. EMU is also cheaper. EMU is also easier to do well at. I know that med schools barely look at the name of the school, and largely concentrate on GPA and MCAT. A high GPA is much easier to get at EMU, but MSU is generally stronger in the pre-med aspect. MSU would provide me with a better education and job opportunities if I choose to not do medicine.
What do you think? Should I go to an "easier" school and get a high GPA and save money, or to MSU where I could get a high GPA with more work? Thanks!</p>
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<p>Probably not. Why would you think so?
I’m not saying that it will be easy for you to get a high GPA at the other school, but I doubt that MSU’s premed prereqs classes (staple STEM classes) are going to be “stronger”…they’re going to be typical. </p>
<p>What is your major? That decision will make a bigger difference if you decide not to go to med school.</p>
<p>What is the cost difference? What are your parents saying about paying the larger amount?</p>
<p>What about Western Michigan or Central Michigan? what would the costs be there?</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I did honestly assume MSU would be stronger. Probably shouldn’t.
Molecular Bio/Genetics/Bio (still undecided)
About 2k. However, I qualify for the pell grant, and some scholarships. No problem there
I didn’t really consider them… thanks!</p>
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<p>You’d get Pell at both schools. That would already be figured into your aid pkgs so Pell wouldn’t be available to cover any shortfall. </p>
<p>When you run the NPC’s for both schools, what are the results? Can you copy/paste below? </p>
<p>A Pell family would have a hard time coming up with an extra $2k. </p>
<p>Were you awarded any merit at either school? </p>
<p>MSU:</p>
<p>Cost of Attendance:
Tuition & Fees + $13,318
Room & Board + $9,204
Books & Supplies + $1,060
Other Expenses + $1,872
Total Cost $25,454
Your Estimated Need:
Total Cost $25,454
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - $0
Total Need $25,454
Your Estimated Grants and Scholarships:
Federal Aid
Pell Grant - $5,730
FSEOG Program - $500
State Aid
Michigan Competitive Scholarship - $676
Michigan State Grants and Scholarships
MSU Student Aid Grant - $7,500
MSU Freshman Grant - $1,300
Total Grants and Scholarships $15,706
Your Estimated Net Price
$9,748
Your Estimated Eligibility for Other Aid Programs:
Loans
Federal Perkins Loan - $1,000
Direct Subsidized Loan - $3,500
Direct Unsubsidized Loan - $2,000
Out-of-Pocket Cost after Student’s Financial Aid
$3,248
Additional Resources:
Federal Work-Study - $2,500
Parent PLUS Loan - $748</p>
<p>EMU:
Estimated grant and/or scholarship assistance: $10,230
Your net price (estimated cost of attendance minus grants) $9,598
Estimated student loans: $5,500
Estimated parent loans: $4,098</p>
<p>Yes, I did receive help from my parents to fill out the calculator. As far as we know, all of the information given is true. Basically, I will have to take out minimal loans</p>
<p>MSU:</p>
<p>Cost of Attendance:
Tuition & Fees + $13,318
Room & Board + $9,204
Books & Supplies + $1,060
Other Expenses + $1,872
Total Cost $25,454</p>
<p>Your Estimated Need:
Total Cost $25,454
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - $0
Total Need $25,454</p>
<p>Your Estimated Grants and Scholarships:
Federal Aid
Pell Grant - $5,730
FSEOG Program - $500
State Aid
Michigan Competitive Scholarship - $676
Michigan State Grants and Scholarships
MSU Student Aid Grant - $7,500
MSU Freshman Grant - $1,300
Total Grants and Scholarships $15,706
Your Estimated Net Price $9,748</p>
<p>Your Estimated Eligibility for Other Aid Programs:
Loans
Federal Perkins Loan - $1,000
Direct Subsidized Loan - $3,500
Direct Unsubsidized Loan - $2,000
Out-of-Pocket Cost after Student’s Financial Aid $3,248
Additional Resources:
Federal Work-Study - $2,500
Parent PLUS Loan - $748</p>
<p>EMU:
Estimated grant and/or scholarship assistance: $10,230
Your net price (estimated cost of attendance minus grants) $9,598
Estimated student loans: $5,500
Estimated parent loans: $4,098</p>
<p>Yes, I did receive help from my parents to fill out the calculator. As far as we know, all of the information given is true. Basically, I will have to take out minimal loans</p>
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<p>From the above…you need to go to MSU. You can easily avoid the Parent Plus loan at MSU with earnings/savings from a summer job. I would also recommend borrowing as little as possible if you want to go to med school.</p>
<p>If EMU would require your very low-income parents to borrow $4k per year, that would be a very bad choice. They don’t have the income to support paying back $16k in Plus loans. </p>
<p>Go to MSU…and ask your GC is there are any local scholarships you can apply to.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you very much! Now, all I need to do is choose between Bama and MSU…thanks again!</p>