<p>I am a National Merit Semi-finalist from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have been offered a full-ride to the local college, the University of New Mexico, which is right in Albuquerque. The issue is, I've also been accepted to Fordham in NY. I think i want to study medicine, and UNM has a wonderful medical program, but ever since i was younger I've always wanted to go to school out of state. Fordham has offered me a full-tuition scholarship, but the room and board fees are close to $15,000. My mom also doesn't like the idea of me living in New York, but I find the idea appealing. </p>
<p>So, what should I do? I know going to school for free is great, and I will already rack up fees for medical school, but I just hate the idea of settling because of money. Does this make sense? Does anyone else have this problem?</p>
<p>Have you visited Fordham or New York for that matter? If so I’d recommend you go with UNM, going into medical school with debt is a very bad idea.</p>
<p>Look at some of other med school threads. Getting a good GPA and MCAT scores are important. Debt is bad before med school. UNM should be fine. As a NMSF there are some other options that will give you full tuition or better. Have you looked at the thread by Keilexandra for NMF scholarships?</p>
<p>Going to Fordham isn’t such a bad idea either. You might have to pay R&B but full tuition is still a big deal. And well, living in NYC as a young person would be a great experience. Is that worth an extra 15k a year (as well as travel expenses) to you? If afterwards you end up committing many years to studying medicine you might not get the same chance again.</p>
<p>Go with free.</p>
<p>Otherwise, you’re looking at borrowing $60,000 over four years just to live in one of the highest-cost places in America, and that doesn’t even count spending money and incidentals.</p>
<p>Also, what if you get tired of dorm life after a year or two and want something with more privacy and no cafeteria food? Good luck finding anything remotely resembling an affordable apartment in NYC.</p>
<p>I vote with Erin’s Dad.</p>
<p>OP, </p>
<p>Don’t think of it as just free v NY. Think of it as giving yourself more options (financially) for the future. How too much debt cripples one’s choices can’t be overstated.</p>