<p>Hello, so I recognize it is getting late and it's time to commit soon but my heart keeps wavering and I figured I would ask you all on CC for advice. So I was accepted to Pennstate's Schreyer Honors College and Swarthmore College. I want to go premed and at Schreyer i would be doing bioengineering and at Swarthmore I would be doing biochemistry. There are a number of reasons why my parents are pushing me to schreyer and the engineering degree is one of them. It's a good fall back option. If med school doesn't work out, biochem would be a wash. Secondly, not many people know of Swat despite it's prestige and PSU's alumni network is so large. When it comes to money, I'm in a complicated situation that will change my finaid next year. PSU will consistently be around 10-12k (taking into account that I must repay federal loans later) while swat is very inexpensive now, but will jump up later but I'm not sure by how much. Money is my biggest concern as I want as little debt as possible, and I am afraid that Swat's price might jump next year and my family will not be able to afford it. The truth is, I am trying to be practical and pick the school that will be the correct choice for my future and I am just not sure which one that it is...Any advice? My parent's want me to choose schreyer but I feel like I might be giving up a lot if I don't pick Swarthmore. I'm getting more confused as the commitment date approaches...</p>
<p>oh wow…I spelled Swarthmore wrong on the thread title…</p>
<p>biochemistry a wash if you don’t go to medical school???
Anyway. Your choices of major at each school actually reveals something you may not realize. PSU has a strong biochem program too, with excellent med sch placement, but when given a choice, you pick bioengineering. This suggests to me that you are “settling” at the small LAC. One of the downsides of LAC- less majors and programs.
SHC may be a perfect situation for you. Small college feel and attention, and yet you have all of the choices, facilities and research opportunities that a large university can offer. Having choices is a good thing. you never know what major you’d like to switch into a year from now.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice. I just mean I’m not sure what I personally would do with simply having a degree in biochem if i didn’t go onto medical school. Again, the future is open and I might have a change of career paths. My problem with psu is that I am not a fan of the state school life. Swarthmore appeals to me more as I place I would like to study at. But this isn’t enough of a reason for me to give up a place where I would be better off if schreyer is the place. Honestly, I’m just lost as to what choice to make. </p>
<p>What do you think is the “state school life”? Is it the sheer size of PSU? If so, Schreyer’s does have that small school feel within the larger school. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice. You have to pick the one you feel most comfortable at.</p>
<p>Penn state’s campus is at an area where the social life revolves completely around Penn State. Not that that is a bad thing, but it’s just not something that is the most ideal to me. I want the comfort of having a city close by. But again if psu is the better choice for my future, then I will adjust and I’m sure I will grow to love it. </p>
<p>OP, I’m very familiar with both schools, and you have two fantastic options to choose from. The financial aid situation isn’t clear to me from your post, but you must look at the net cost BEFORE taking out any loans. Don’t be fooled by loans packaged as “financial aid.” </p>
<p>If your main goal is medical school, and Penn State over four years is cheaper, I think Schreyer makes the most sense. You’ll save money at PSU that you can later spend on medical school (which is VERY expensive) and you will be treated like royalty at PSU.</p>
<p>If you were thinking grad school in a STEM subject, Swarthmore might be worth the extra expense, but at some point, it really comes down to overall value. Swarthmore is relatively close to Philadelphia, but how many students actually venture into the city regularly? </p>
<p>You’re going to do well at either school because they wouldn’t have accepted you if you weren’t an outstanding student, but you need to be realistic about how much debt you would be taking on to get that Swarthmore degree if you think medical school is in your future. </p>
<p>Good luck and congratulations on having two outstanding options. Many would be thrilled to have had either!</p>
<p>Thank you for the kind words and advice Lucie!!</p>
<p>Ok, that makes sense - that’s definitely a big difference between Swarthmore and PSU. The train station to Phila is right near the Swarthmore campus, and it’s only about 30 minutes.</p>