Full ride and everything; should I reject the UW?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
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<p>OKKK, so I'm into the UW and Seattle University, I have received full rides from both institutions, including a $40,000 four year "diversity" scholarship from Costco.</p>

<p>THe thing is, if I can technically get a free ride to Seattle U (32,000/yr in-state) and the UW (20,000/yr, in-state), should I attend the institution that offers a more personalized education, as well as smaller classes?</p>

<p>I'm at a debacle here, the UW is world-known and all, but....it just doesn't appeal to me, am I crazy?!</p>

<p>What would you choose and why? I want to do premed, and I hear that most premeds from Seattle U get into med school as opposed to lesser premeds from the UW into the UW med school (there is no undergraduate preference). I can't find this statistics, and if somebody did, I'd be eternally grateful...I swear.</p>

<p>SO....I have to decide, but I think I'm set with Seattle University...</p>

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<p>I'm going to preface my answer by saying that I personally know two students, both of whom are my friends, who had full-ride opportunities to Seattle U and UW (one is a Gates Scholar; the other is a Costco Diversity Scholar). One decided on Seattle U and the other on UW. I can tell you from their experiences that the one who chose UW loves it, and the one who chose Seattle U wishes he had chosen UW. I would be happy to get you in touch with both of them if you think it'd help you with your decision, but first, let me give you the case for UW from my perspective:</p>

<p>Although some class sizes may be smaller at Seattle U, did you know the average class size for UW is 34? And even though Seattle U certainly offers a "more personalized education," did you know that at a large, research university like UW a personalized education is possible to? It's something you learn and can work at, something you'd have to do at Seattle U too if you want to build those personal relationships. I have received plenty of advice from great professors who have helped me really have a personalized education at UW, and I'd be happy to share more with you if you'd like.</p>

<p>While you may be set on Pre-Med, UW still offers you a much broader range of classes to choose from--the perks of having more class options and major choices. If you want to go to Med School, you don't have to do Pre-Med or major in a science field. You can major in something else and just take the requirements for Med School. One of my nurses was a medical student who majored in Archeology and got into UCSF (which you probably know is one of the top medical schools you could possibly get into). My neurologist majored in History, went on to Med School, and became a well-respected doctor in his field. </p>

<p>My point is, don't limit yourself based purely on stats, numbers, and what rankings tell you. Med Schools like applicants who take the risk of setting themselves apart and who take advantage of their undergraduate education to develop themselves as intellectual human beings not just following a formula to get into Med School.</p>

<p>I couldn't find the stats you were looking for, but I did find a UW Advising page for Pre-Med undergrads if you're interested: UW</a> Advising - Information for Pre-Medical Students. You might take some time in the next week or two to visit both UW and Seattle U, sit in on a few classes, talk with older students about their major plans (particularly Pre-Med), gather information from the departments you're interested in, and get a feel of what it's like to be a student at both campuses. I hope this is at least somewhat helpful to you, and I hope you do seek out all you can so you can make the decision that's best for you. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you out.</p>

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<p>Well, I want to attend the institution that will prepare me the best, and help me reach my goal of going to med school. I'm certain that if classes at Seattle U are smaller (avg. 20) then I will learn better and have an overall more "personalized " education. </p>

<p>The UW is awfully huge, I think the residency halls are also older....whereas the Seattle U dorms are newer and nicer.</p>

<p>As for being pre-med, I wanted to major in neurobio at the UW, and biochem at Seattle U, because let's face it, having a bachelor of science will obviously prepare me better for medical school, and help me become a better future doctor.</p>

<p>I thought about political science too, so I might double on that (uncertain if scholarship will cover that, however). </p>

<p>
[quote]

My point is, don't limit yourself based purely on stats, numbers, and what rankings tell you. Med Schools like applicants who take the risk of setting themselves apart and who take advantage of their undergraduate education to develop themselves as intellectual human beings not just following a formula to get into Med School.

[/quote]

Yeah, the UW is definitely top 50 in the U.S., but like you said, I shouldn't base my choice on that. Will being a minority help me with med school admissions in the future?</p>

<p>
[quote]
You might take some time in the next week or two to visit both UW and Seattle U, sit in on a few classes, talk with older students about their major plans (particularly Pre-Med), gather information from the departments you're interested in, and get a feel of what it's like to be a student at both campuses.

[/quote]

Definitely, I should visit both campuses, and I'm surprised I haven't, given their generosity. </p>

<p>I'm just thankful I have a free education at both, and being the first in my family to get into college. But still, if med school and a career in medicine is my goal, I should obviously attend the institution that will help me and prepare me the most.</p>

<p>Apart from that, I regret not having applied to Seattle Pacific University, where 90-100</a>percent of pre-meds get into med school.</p>

<p>Another question, why is tuition at Seattle U so costly?</p>

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<p>I would argue that preparation isn't always from the books, but comes more so from experiences. I know doctors who have said they knew incredibly bright people who had all the academic prowess in the world get into med school and turned out to be pathetic doctors because they didn't know how to apply what they learned. This is not to say you won't get that at Seattle U, but rather that more experiences and more exposure at UW may help better prepare you experience-wise while still offering strong academics. </p>

<p>"As for being pre-med, I wanted to major in neurobio at the UW, and biochem at Seattle U, because let's face it, having a bachelor of science will obviously prepare me better for medical school, and help me become a better future doctor."</p>

<p>I disagree. I don't think it's obvious that a BS will better prepare you for med school. Wherever you decide to attend, I would encourage you to follow your passions and do what interests; not what you think will make you a stronger med school applicant. If you want to set yourself apart, why do what everyone is doing and what everyone "thinks" or "says" is the best way to get into med school? If you're truly intent on achieving your goals, you'll find a way to do it no matter what you major in, what school you attend, etc. Besides, you may end up changing your major once you get to college. </p>

<p>Seattle U is a private school, so the tuition is more costly. They don't get funding from the state. UW is a publicly-funded state school, so Washington state residents have more affordable tuition. Hope that helps.</p>

<p>If either school is an option for you, choose the one that you feel fits who you are more, your interests, how you'll feel about it in four years, and the opportunities your environment will offer you. Ultimately, the decision is yours alone, and you'll have a great four years of undergrad wherever you go.</p>