Is Villanova worth the cost for premed?

My daughter has been offered significant merit scholarships from Hobart William Smith and Loyola Maryland, but the money is negligible from Viilanova. She wants to go to medical school. Is the cost of a Villanova degree worth the pain if that is her goal?

With med school a possibility, undergrad cost should definitely be a consideration. Can you comfortably afford (no hardship, no loans) Villanova and med school? If not and if the cost differential is significant to your family finances, I’d certainly give a hard look to the other schools on the list. (Admittedly I am a bit confused because you said in another post your D got a significant scholarship money from Villanova).

yes, that was a typo…(very little $$$) from Nova

If your daughter can get a 3.7 GPA at Villanova, she will have a better chance than at those other schools. You have to figure out whether she can do that and whether a slightly better chance is worth the difference.

From everything I have read and from personally speaking with the dean of admissions at a top medical school, I believe that if there is any bump from going to a higher ranked school, it is tiny. Medical schools care about GPA, MCAT scores and ECs/experience. If the price differential is great, I would go to the less expensive school, assuming that the lower cost school had the classes and volunteering opportunities needed. Can she do research at the other schools? Are the hospitals near by where she can volunteer and gain experience?

I would make and appointment to speak directly with the medical school advisor from each school and find out how successful they are in getting their students accepted. What schools did those students attend?

Thank you. I would agree with everyone! Villanova might offer more opportunities to fill all the necessary “buckets”, but maybe not…