I know this is already on a post, but I wanted to put my situation out there for others to give me their input about where I should go for undergrad.
My ultimate goal is to go for graduate school in biophysics. (or maybe some of field, idk) I’m planning on majoring in physics and getting some type of biology minor degree. Because people will ask, my stats are as follows: 4.1 W/4.0 UW GPA, 33 ACT, top 1%, 800 physics SAT II, 790 math II, & 770 Chem. The reason I’m staying in-state (I had wanted to go to the ivies) is because I have Crohn’s disease (chronic, autoimmune, piece of shit disease). It would be extremely complicated, exhausting, and risky for me to move too far for college. Here’s all the aspects of each college I’m currently going through in debating msu honors vs umich.
~Money~
MSU offered me $5,000 per year for all four years. (I went to ADS- didn’t get anything). I also have a $2500 stipend my first two years. I’m estimating that MSU costs $25k/yr. (their website says 23k, but I did some other calculations and it’s more like 25k). So my grand total of college would be ~$75k.
Umich offered me $1500 non renewable. They cost about $28k a year. My grand total of college would be ~$110k.
I think between money saved, local scholarships, and grad party money I’ll have ~$30k to knock off of either of those two.
*Obviously the winner here is MSU. I’m trying to minimize my debt as much as possible because of grad school.
~Research~
MSU offered me a paid two-year Professorial Assistantship guaranteed research position.
Umich has UROP- which I heard is pretty easy to get into. Although it’s not paid, but it’s still research I can do. Umich has a large biophysics department, which MSU lacks, so I can get into my field of study pretty early on at Umich.
~Prestige & Academics~
Here, Umich is clearly the right choice. In terms of prestige, Umich is recognized nationally and internationally. . I know the rigor of classes at Umich is higher than that of MSU. (just from talking around- pls don’t kill me for saying that). But does that mean I’m not going to get a good education at MSU? Ultimately, I want to go off to grad school, so would it be harder to get into grad school going to MSU than going to Umich? Does the name of a school really matter that much if I want to go to any ivy league (or equivalent) for grad school? Also, I have to consider my stress level. I can’t let myself become too stressed out or else my Crohn’s flares up and it’s a disaster!! Will I be stressed out at Umich doing school work and research? I feel like I’ll be challenged more at Umich, which I also something I want, but I don’t want to be too stressed out about it. I know I need to be more challenged so I learn ways to cope with my disease while carrying a heavy schedule load, but am I ready for that? both schools have disability I can sign up for that will allow me extensions and stuff so I’m not worried about that
Also, Umich has both a biology minor and a biophysics minor (plus a biophysics major if I choose- but I want to get a solid foundation in physics before I study biophysics). MSU does not offer a minor in biochem (their only biology degree). Because I want to go into biophysics, I at least want some sort of background in biology. I could just take some biology classes at MSU, but that has no structure to it and I’ll just randomly be taking classes.
Umich has more of what I want (and is closer to home), but MSU seems like the better option here. What do you think I should do? I’m being pressured heavily by my mom to go to MSU, but ultimately it’s my decision. thanks for any input!