You’ll be 33 at some time whether you go directly to med school or take a few years between. A friend of mine did a year’s masters program between undergrad and med school (retook the mCAT, took additional bio classes) and then she did 2 residencies (neuro and psych), got married, and yes, at some point she turned 33.
I think that $6k from state of PA is important. I’d cross Vermont and UMass off the list, probably Drexel too as they’ll just be too expensive.
Many students take a year (or more) before med school, to gain experience, volunteer, work, whatever.
It seems your least expensive options are $1k/yr vs $6k/yr? So $4k vs $24k total?
I lean towards Cabrini.
Have you read through its pre-health guide? https://www.cabrini.edu/globalassets/pdfs-website/sci/2017-18-sciencemajorshandbook-final_web.pdf
The guide suggests a Bio major but that’s not necessary for pre-health, though you’ll take 2-4 each of Bio, Chem, Physics etc. because med school, at least, requires that.
@twoinanddone Thanks for the insight!! I know I’ll be 33 at some point, I just want to finish school asap, so I can begin to work and pay off these loans that I’m going to have to take sooner or later–rather not prolong the inevitable. But I think you are right, Drexel is about $23,000/yr, although a good school, well beyond my means.
@OHMomof2 Thanks for the link–I’ll make sure to read it!
I don’t know your stats, but was Dickinson a reach for you? They meet full need, and may be affordable if you get in.
A few thousand dollars doesn’t make too much difference over four years, but it’s really hard to argue with free. And what will get you into med school is effort more than anything else (translated into test scores, grades, and getting good jobs in the field).
Gosh, this is a tougher question than it appears, and I feel for you, OP. Normally, I say take the full ride (or close to it) and take advantage of what you might see as a less desirable situation. There are plenty of people, not just doctors but also faculty members, who started off at very modest schools.
That said, the ground is littered with the bones of hopeful pre-med students. I am not trying to be negative, for indeed perhaps you have the determination, perseverance, and intelligence to successfully become a doctor. At the same time, I remember very bright friends who were pre-med but ended up switching. One switched to pre-law and is now a lawyer. Another switched to dental and is now–wait for it!–a dentist!
I guess I’m saying that one of the things you should take into account is how happy you will be at Cabrini, personally and in terms of academics, if, God forbid, there’s a change of plans. I feel like a hypocrite because normally I tell students not to get so hung up on the name or prestige of a place, and I still believe that, yet I’ve never heard of Cabrini, and I know just about every school in this country (all of the other schools on your list, including Marist and West Chester, I am familiar with).
But perhaps Cabrini is a hidden gem. I had to Google it to be honest: a small Catholic LAC. The good news is that it is small, which means you should be able to get the personalized attention that you need. In general, LACs have much higher acceptance rates to medical schools than large universities. The reasons should be obvious. Instead of being in an intro Bio class with 100 students, you’ll be in smaller classes from the get-go. Instead of hunting down a professor who doesn’t know you (because you’re one of many), you’ll be able to walk up to your professor at Cabrini for one-on-one help. LACs don’t generate as much research as R1 universities, of course, but what research opportunities there are go to undergraduates since there are no graduate students to compete with. I should note, however, that the higher rates for medical/professional/graduate school are mostly at selective LACs (not necessarily cutthroat but selective; a school like Beloit or Willamette or Dickinson would fit this description).
I sort of like the other options on your list more than Cabrini, though perhaps I am not following my own advice (caring more about name than opportunity). Is it worth getting into debt? For the most part, no. However, moderate debt is the reality for most college students. Is West Chester worth the extra 6K per year? I’m not sure, but Dickinson might be, especially if, say, you change majors. The Dickinson education would be top notch (it’s the strongest school on your list).
You do have tough choices, and I apologize that after all of this blabbering I haven’t really helped you much. Best!
@Elly710 I don’t know anything about Cabrini or West Chester other than their rankings, which are pretty low. I doubt West Chester is worth $24,000 more than Cabrini.
I think some of the better schools, like Northeastern, UMass, UVM, Delaware, or Dickinson may be worth the $27K in loans over Cabrini. But it depends if they also require much from your family, and whether that’s an amount that would be hard for them to pay. If not, I’d consider them, depending on which you get into and what the aid is.
@Pheebers Thanks for the insight!! Dickinson I don’t think is a reach for me, I’d consider it more of a match. Hopefully I do get in, and they can match my need!
@Hapworth Thanks for the help!! I do see what you are saying about the risks I take should I want to switch. I honestly can’t see myself switching–as this is something I really desire, but you do bring up valid points! I will keep them in mind 
@Wilson98 Thank you!! I see your point about Cabrini and West Chester not ranking highly–trust me I’ve taken that into consideration. The sad reality is that my family can’t really afford to take up $27k/yr loans, as our income is only a few $1,000 more than that. Dickinson I’m hoping will be able to meet my needs.
Cabrini sounds cheaper than community college. why not start there and see how it goes? you could always transfer to West Chester (or somewhere else) after 2 years if you don’t think Cabrini will get you where you need to go. that way you will get the exact same degree and save thousands of dollars in the process.
You don’t need to decide until May 1, either - so there is time to see what Dickinson offers, and how you feel about it all then.
@Wien2NC Good point!! I do see that as a viable option in the future, and your right, it could save me money–but just how much, if tuition may be hefty for those last 2 yrs? Will think about it!
It seems like you’ve done a great job so far and already have 1 guaranteed full-ride. It will be interesting to see what the others offer. A big congratulations! You’re on your way! Keep us updated…
@chercheur Thank you so much!! It is just a waiting game from here – I will certainly make sure to update
I live close to both West Chester and Cabrini in PA. I have many friends who have graduate from both and gone on to have successful lives. Granted the people I know have gone into business, nursing, music and teaching not pre-med. I do know a biology grad who works in pharm. research who is a WCU grad.
I realize that many posters don’t know much about the area or these schools so I feel I have something to share here. The OP probably knows all of this but maybe it will help with those giving advice. West Chester is a very well regarded PA state directional. The state flagships in PA (Penn State, Pitt, and Temple) are EXTREMELY pricey for the average Pennsylvania family and out of reach for all but the tippy top students of those with low income or income insecurity. They do not provide many scholarships for in state students except for the cream of the crop and those are typically pretty lean. They do not meet need. Most people here on CC have heard about the problems with PA higher ed.
This leaves plenty of average excellent students studying at our directionals and WCU is one of the better, if not best, ones. It is in an outstanding location. It is suburban but 45 minutes from downtown Philadelphia and 30 minutes from downtown Wilmington, DE. Plenty to do on and around campus. It is no longer a small suitcase school. It is growing, has a lovely campus, great dorms, lots of job opportunities nearby, a large (and growing) regional hospital in town 2 miles from the campus that is affiliated with Penn. More and more often neighbors and friends of top students are sending their children to WCU for 3 years (on scholarship) for a physics degree and then on to Penn State U. for 2 years for engineering degrees on a 3:2 program. They have degrees from both (physics from WCU and then engineering from PSU) for half of the price. I have heard nothing but great things about the quality of teaching there. OP should not feel like they are left with bad choices if WCU and Cabrini end up the only reasonable choices.
Drexel will likely be out of reach financiall and they are well known around here for not honoring their first year aide in subsequent years. Plenty of coworkers and friends who have had to try and get back merit $ that they thought was for all 4 years but is actually not. Great school but something to you should watch for if it seems like you can make it work in year 1 - make sure to ask them about this. Temple has been generous in the past but does not seem to be in the position to extend as much aide as in the past and the state flagships do not meet need. If you could make Temple work, I might take on some debt (no more than the federal student limit) because of its size and proximity to world class medical centers in Philly. I do not think Uof D is worth the money and the price differential for OOS is likely huge. If they give you lots of $ it may be in play but I would not pay extra for it over any of the other choices - including Cabrini.
Cabrini is a very small and very specialized little school. Caring people and personal service. I know many teachers who came through Cabrini and loved it. It does have the feel of a suitcase school and lots of part time students which can account for the low graduation rate. I do not have any other first hand knowledge of Cabrini.
Keep us updated as your offers come in. I am pulling for you.
@bamamom2021 Thank you so much for the insight!! WCU for me is hand in hand with Cabrini, just a few thousand dollars more though. Drexel is about $18,150/yr, although it is a good school w/ great hospitals and such around, unfortunately its outside of my means. Temple I’m assuming will be about the same. I appreciate your perspective, I live in commuting distance of Cabrini and WCU so I am aware of the area, and it is nice around here!
After running the net price calculator, Dickinson College for me would be about $6,080 which is decently affordable with minimal loans of $1,200-$2,500. Thoughts on this, I think a Dickinson education may prove to be better in the longer run, but I really don’t like the idea of taking out a loan?!
The over-all four year graduation rate at Cabrini (or elsewhere) is immaterial to you. When you are comparing equally affordable prrograms, what matters are the first try MCAT scores for students who are still pre-med at MCAT-testing time, and the rates of first and second try med school admissions for students who are still pre-med at those points in time.
@happymomof1 Thanks for the insight! I guess your right, when push comes to shove, my MCAT scores are what counts, my concern is will Cabrini prepare me enough, as another better/flagship schools will? I’ve looked into Carbine’s program and it seems decently good, who knows?!