<p>So, I was accepted into Tufts, and I had my mind and everything set on Tufts, but today, I recieved a phone call from a BA/MD Program (a combined degree program at Brooklyn College/SUNY Downstate) telling me that I got off of their waitlist and had the choice of attending their program. The dilemma is that this program comes with a Presidential Scholarship in which there is no tuition and a guaranteed seat in medical school. Although Tufts is $50,000 per year, I've always wanted a thorough and full college experience, and I feel it can provide that whereas Brooklyn College cannot. Also, if I go to the BA/MD program, I will be able to buy a car. I guess I just need some advice, even though I know that at the end of the day it is my decision...</p>
<p>Paying 50,000 a year versus nothing (or at least no tuition) is a huge deal. You need to talk this over with your family regarding your financial situation and if its worth it to pass up a full tuition scholarship. They're the only ones who should really influence your decision. Tufts is a great school, but you will do well no matter where you go.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I don't know that much about Brooklyn College, but from my understanding, from a friend who goes there, it's very much a commuter college—so that is something to consider. he also did not seem to think there were many opportunities to interact closely with faculty; and also not much money for undergraduate research. These are all things that school slike Tufts are known for; and if you get those kinds of opportunities you can get into any med school you want—Downstate or better—if you get good grades here.</p>
<p>I'll echo Xeneise' statement, paying 50K a year versus nothing is a HUGE deal. Having a guarenteed spot in medical school is a HUGE deal. This is something you really need to talk about with your parents. I don't know that having a "college experience" is worth having a six figure debt and worth giving up a guarenteed trip to medical school. These are momentous opportunities that don't just come down the pike everyday. People work their whole lives to have the opportunities you have now. Don't forget that.</p>
<p>Idk...my parents said to do what I want, but obviously I can tell they would prefer if I went to the BA/MD program because I'm known to be an impulsive person, and they would much rather me be locked into becoming a doctor rather than have opportunities...they said the decision is completely up to me...and I have no idea what to do...</p>
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they would much rather me be locked into becoming a doctor rather than have opportunities
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<p>A lot of things can change in four years. You may not want to become a doctor; you may learn you want to be a scientific researcher, or go on an environmental sciences track—or, who knows, maybe even study philosophy. Very likely, you'll still end up being a doctor, but don't feel locked into doing anything! You'll learn a lot about yourself during four years of undergraduate studies. </p>
<p>Good luck with your choice!</p>
<p>This is a decision that you are going to have to make for yourself.</p>
<p>Assuming your parents can pay without incurring major debt, it comes down to how much you and your family value education over new cars and all the other things $200k can buy. In my family, I'd say choose Tufts. Plenty of others would disagree.</p>
<p>Best of luck--you're really very lucky to get to make this choice.</p>
<p>If you start out in the free program and it doesn't feel right, transferring to Tufts (or some other great college) in a year or two is a reasonable possiblity, but the chance to go to college for free and be guaranteed admission to med school is a once in a lifetime opportunity.</p>
<p>Can you guess what I would do if it were me?</p>
<p>What a shallow way to read the OP's post Seashore. This is unequivocally not a decision about how badly the OP wants a new car or fur coat or whatever, give me a break. On the contrary the OP has just more or less been handed 150K and a trip to Medical School which, suprise suprise, is a big deal for 99% of the people that live on this planet. Maybe not a big deal for you, but a big deal for the rest of us. How highly one values education hasn't a thing to do with how much they're able to spend on it. Education is a lifetime committment. It isn't about what school you go to. </p>
<p>Truly this is a once in a lifetime opportunity so you better have a really compelling reason to give that up. I'll be frank with you in saying I honestly don't that something as vague as "college experience" qualifies as a compelling reason. I sincerely hope you are absolutely enfatuated with Tufts and are 100%, without a doubt positive that going there will be the most enlightening and breathtaking experience you will ever have on this planet if you do indeed turn this opportunity down.</p>
<p>TMAC, here's the thing. You will learn some things about yourself in your undergraduate years but only very rarely do students make any significant diversion from their initial plan of study. This just screams to me that the so-called "epiphany" they claimed to have had is nowhere near as profound as they make it out to be. The vast majority of folks more or less stick to their freshman plans. You have your folks that switch majors, but even of that group most switch majors no more than once and when they do its from one liberal arts program to another. You don't see alot of English to Electrical Engineering types of switches. </p>
<p>Lola may have something of a point in that you don't want to be "boxed in", but really, how big of a chance do you think you'll make at college? You realistically think you might abandon this doctor dream of yours all of the sudden and become a monk? I think we're confusing committment for being "boxed in." I guess what I'm trying to say is do you think it's worth giving up a free ride and a guarenteed spot in Medical School because you might want to switch from one scienced based major to another? Try to see the bigger picture here, you're nowhere near as boxed in as you think you are. There is alot more you can do with a medical degree than just playing Cliff Huxtable ;) </p>
<p>That said Tufts can be great. It was undoutedly the best thing for me and the best thing for numerous folks on this board. But is it what's best for YOU? That's what you should ask yourself. Good luck Mac.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responses. I think what I really need now is some time to think this one through. I just wanted to hear what others thought of my predicament and what they would recommend. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Sorry, I only mentioned the car, as it was in the original post. What a meant was that the $200k that a private school costs is a lot of money. In my family, if we could swing it without a lot of borrowing, it would be worth it to to attend the school I wanted to go to. But I understand that other people, even if they could afford it, would make other choices. Maybe even 99% of other people.</p>
<p>Again, best of luck. There are a lot of anguished kids in the formum who are realizing that they can't afford their dream schools. It's the lucky ones who can make the choice.</p>