<p>I am about ready to make my college decision (I realize that I'm cutting it close with May 1 rapidly approaching), and I've narrowed it down to Miami and Wright State.</p>
<p>I plan on majoring in biology, with a hope to go on to medical school. Cost is not really a factor - I have full tuition at both schools and I would commute to Wright State. Therefore, it would cost me about $11,000 a year at Miami and $1350 at Wright State (for books and such), both of which my family can afford. Academically, Miami is far better but Wright State is still really good for the sciences and I am in the honors program at both.</p>
<p>Here is the dilemma. I was about to commit to Miami a few weeks ago, but then I found out that Wright State has an early assurance program into its medical school that one applies for at the end of sophomore year. If I were to be accepted into this program, I think that it would definitely relieve me of a lot of the stress involved with getting into medical school and allow me to focus on my undergraduate experiences better. I think that I would have an excellent shot at this program since I would consider myself to be a good student - I have a 32 ACT (28 is needed to apply for the program) and I am graduating valedictorian from my high school. </p>
<p>However, if I were not accepted into this program, then I would be kicking myself for not going to Miami. Miami has really impressive med. school placement rates - 64% overall, 100% for kids in their honors program last year, but it's tough to beat guaranteed admission into a medical school. </p>
<p>Do you guys think that this early assurance program is worth the risk, or would I be better off just going to Miami?</p>
<p>I am a Miami undergrad alum and a Wright State med school alum.
For what it’s worth, the quality of undergraduate education is far superior at Miami. For 35 years Miami grads have enjoyed great success matriculating to med school in Fairborn. The current WSU-SOM Dean of Admissions, a classmate of mine, is aware of the high caliber of students being educated and prepared for med school in Oxford.
That conduit was my ticket into med school.
Go to Miami…
Not to mention, I believe that there is tremendous value in a true residential college experience.</p>
<p>Thanks for offering your helpful perspective. I committed to Miami today. I’m looking forward to it, and if it doesn’t work out, then I can always transfer to Wright State.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your decision. I admit that it’s always good to have a Plan B, but I am confident that your Plan A is a darn good one.
Enjoy the journey.</p>
<p>Congratulations! I would be interested to hear your other academic, EC activities, etc that enabled you to get a full tuition scholarship to Miami. My daughter will graduate HS in 2014 and has Miami on her short list.</p>
<p>@micawber… you might find some of what you are looking for here:</p>
<p>[University</a> Merit Scholarships | Miami Scholarships | Scholarships | High School Students | Financial Aid | Admission | Miami University](<a href=“Costs, Scholarships, and Financial Aid | Miami University”>Costs, Scholarships, and Financial Aid | Miami University)</p>
<p>My daughter’s merit award (1/2 tuition) was exactly as predicted by her stats.</p>
<p>Gunner - I have seen the scholarship ranges but there is quite a difference between half tuition and full for OOS. I have heard of people w better ACT scores than Misery that did not even get in the honors college let alone get full tuition. I know that other factors play a big role so I wanted to hear about Misery’s bio.</p>
<p>Gunner - did you daughter have a 32 or greater ACT? If so, why only a half scholarship and not full?</p>
<p>Merit award was $12k/year. As OOS, this is a little less than 1/2 tuition for us.
Daughter’s stats are: SAT: 1310/2110
ACT: didn’t take
uwGPA: 3.9<br>
Full IB diploma candidate
11 AP Exams with avg score 4.3
ECs average… mainly leadership oriented…no sports/performing arts
She was not admitted to the Honors program and that didn’t break the deal for her even though she had other acceptances with Honors admission.
I’m skeptical that the formulae for merit aid is all that holistic. I do, however, believe that Honors admission is very much that way.
Hope that helps.</p>
<p>miseryrevived - I read the thread and I’m glad you chose Miami. Also glad that GunnerDad weighed in - who more perfect to answer your question! Our older S also chose Miami, honors, got the full-tuition OOS scholarship (34/2230, did well in extremely challenging classes, loads of APs). He’s going into the BS in Comp Sci program and the Digital Game Studies minor; you’ll probably run across him in the Honors dorm(s). Though he had his sights set on some reaches my wife and I are thrilled with how it worked out - a great environment and they’re serious about undergrad teaching. I’m sure you will be happy there too. Congrats!</p>
<p>Thanks eric! I graduate from high school this week, so I’m really getting excited for Miami. I put Honors as my first choice for the LLC, so hopefully that’s where I end up.</p>
<p>Wright State Wrong U. haha</p>
<p>My roommate is also in honors and we selected honors as our 1st choice LLC. I’m hoping to gain insight during the fall so I can apply to honors!</p>
<p>D. was pre-med at Miami and had very good choices of Med. Schools, including top 20s. All of her pre-med friends are currently in various Med. Schools, including (but not limited to) Wright State. All of them were Zoology major, Zoology is a very strong program at Miami. D. and few others were in Honors.
Congrats on choosing Miami!</p>