<p>Hello all, I am new here. I have a question to ask of you all. Yes, I know the decision is ultimately mine, but I am making this thread so YOU ALL can give your input. Maybe someone who went down a similar road can give useful insight.</p>
<p>I am a graduating HS Senior, going off to college next year. I am down to two choices: Hampton University and UMD College Park. I am a Maryland resident, so I would get in state tuition. As many of you know, UMD rarely gives aid, so I'm stuck paying 24k. Hampton, on the other hand, gave me a full tuition scholarship. The issue here is, I have no idea which school to pick. I would rather go to UMD, no doubt. But I would have to take out loans to attend, as opposed to Hampton where I would graduate debt free. I'm sure most of you all know the difference in calibur of the two schools, and that makes a difference. I am a biology major, on a pre-med track. The ultimate goal is a good med-school. I do not want to attend just any med school, I want to go to the best of the best. Someone has to, why not me? That being said, which would be the more viable option? With interest rates and med school tuition both being high, I struggle with this decision. Hampton doesn't really float my boat, but I know I would do well. Would it give me as much of a leg up when applying to med schools as UMD? There are so many things to consider, but my main concern is finances. Do I take out a loan to go to a school I'd rather attend, or take the debt free education, with med school as the ultimate goal?</p>
<p>I know this may be alot, but any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>If you think you will be going to medical school, then keep your debt to an absolute minimum. You will have PLENTY of medical school debt when the time comes for that.</p>
<p>Your undergrad GPA and your MCAT scores will be the most important items in your med school applications, along with letters of reference, and your personal statement.</p>
<p>There are plenty of medical school students who did not graduate from a flagship public university, or an elite private school.</p>
<p>If you like Hampton, then go there.</p>
<p>I agree^. Keep the debt to a minimum. This applies to anyone planning on attending grad or med school after undergrad.</p>
<p>Is your scholarship guaranteed for 4 years
Is it automatically renewed
Is it automatically renewed for the cost of tuition or a set amount of money
Is there a gap requirement needed to keep the scholarship
Is there a phase in to the gap requirement?</p>
<p>If you were to lose the scholarship, would you still be able to attend?</p>
<p>this line from Hampton gives me a bit of a worry:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Make sure that you ask question and fully understand the terms.</p>
<p>Since your parents will be the ones writing the check, how do they feel about the situation?</p>
<p>To Sybbie,
Yes, the scholarship is renewed all 4 years, as long as I keep my GPA to a certain standard. The amounts, however, do not flucutate with tuition. </p>
<p>What is the GPA requirement? Keep in mind most of the “pre-med” science courses are weeder classes with a brutal curve to eliminate a lot of people (Ochem will wash out many students). Looking over Hampton’s med school stats, between 25-35 students get accepted to med school each year (which leads me to believe that there is some heavy duty gatekeeping).</p>
<p>Make sure you check the entrance rates to med school for both. The environment for both schools is radically different (large v. small, state school v. HBCU). And if you don’t get to med school or change your mind, which prepares you best for the alternative?</p>