<p>I am an aspiring non-traditional biology student with many, many gaps in educational career, an 11-month old son and family, and I need help deciding which college to attend. I have been accepted to UT - Austin and U of Iowa (biology honors program); and am waiting for a response from Wake Forest, Bard College, George Washington University, Boston University, Emory University. </p>
<p>UT - Austin only accepted 33 of my transfer credits, while U of Iowa has accepted all 43. Also, UT - Austin has not been generous (I am an out-of-state student from NYC): kindly told me I would have to take out 25K in loans each year for my remaining three years. Ouch. U of Iowa, however, has thus far pledged 13K each year (contingent upon maintaining GPA), which would require about 30K in TOTAL to finance my undergraduate degree. </p>
<p>Emory and Wake Forest would be ideal given their solid biology programs, undergraduate research opportunities (though the same can be said for most other colleges I have applied to), expected generosity (fingers crossed), and relative affordability of Atlanta and Winston-Salem. Now all I have to do is get accepted! However, a part of me has grown fond of U of Iowa and, to a lesser extent, Bard College. So, as you can see, I am in serious need of some pointers. I dropped out of high school in tenth grade, did not have any help getting through community college, and endured the college admissions process alone. I just want some feedback; maybe a little direction; some pointers would be nice, too. </p>
<p>Of the utmost importance is the affordability and "niceness" of neighborhood. Remember, I have a family, so being somewhere with activities and plenty to do is important. </p>
<p>I. Feel. Like. Such. A. Disorganized. Mess. </p>
<p>And worth noting: I do not care about Rankings.</p>
<p>Well, UT Austin is out. Since you like U of Iowa, that’s wonderful! Seems to me you already have great, and may get excellent. You say “son and family” - will your spouse be able to get a job wherever you move to?</p>
<p>It seems to me like you have it together pretty well, and aren’t a disorganized mess at all.</p>
<p>What do you plan to do with your bio degree?</p>
<p>Thank you for your response and kind words! UT-Austin has yet to give me “final” word on their financial aid decision, but they are 95% sure that I will end up with 25K per year. So yeah, pretty much out. My wife works from home, which means we are free to travel about. </p>
<p>I would like to go to Medical School to become a hematology oncologist.</p>
<p>If you want to go to medical school, I would definitely avoid undergrad debt</p>
<p>Don’t have much to add seeing as I don’t know much about any of the schools…but to the “disorganized mess”…Er, I don’t think so. Proven success in college after dropping out of high school, wife and child that you’re working hard to plan a solid future for, getting accepted to great programs in a field that usually pretty darn selective…I’d say you’re pretty darn impressive!</p>
<p>@ keepingitlight: Thank you for your kind words. I truly appreciate them. This process would have been a bit easier had I ventured down the more traditional path, but I have no regrets. I have the people from CC to help me!</p>
<p>First thing, sincere props to you and what you are doing.</p>
<p>I live and work in Iowa City. Iowa City is a great place to live and raise a family. Great areas for kids, abundant public transportation, good schools, etc. Housing is a bit expensive compared to the rest of Iowa, but not bad. You should check with married student housing, the apartments are not the greatest but they are cheap.</p>
<p>U Iowa will have equal the undergrad research opportunities as Wake, probably more. Iowa is very strong in the biological sciences.</p>
<p>In 2010…
Wake did $144,000,000 worth of federally funded research.
Iowa did $259,000,000
Emory did $295,000,000</p>
<p>In summary, all 3 will have more than enough research opportunities.</p>
<p>Very useful information Haystack. Appreciate it. I will look into their housing opportunities. Coming from New York, where we paid $1900 + to live in a not-so-great area, the prospect of paying $900–which, from what I have researched, is the average price of a 2 bedroom–is fantastic! </p>
<p>How are the outdoor activities in Iowa?</p>
<p>NE Iowa, 2-3 hour away, is actually very hilly and wooded with trout streams and lots of outdoor activities.</p>
<p>We have 2 good recreational areas 10-15 minutes away…
Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride…several decent mountain bike trails, disc golf, etc.</p>
<p>[ParkDetails[/url</a>]
[url=<a href=“http://recserv.uiowa.edu/Apps/Facilities/MacBrideNatureRecreationArea.aspx]The”>http://recserv.uiowa.edu/Apps/Facilities/MacBrideNatureRecreationArea.aspx]The</a> University of Iowa - Recreational Services](<a href=“ParkDetails”>ParkDetails)
[Recreation.gov</a> recreation area details - Coralville Lake - Recreation.gov](<a href=“Coralville Lake, Iowa - Recreation.gov”>Coralville Lake, Iowa - Recreation.gov)
[The</a> University of Iowa - Recreational Services](<a href=“http://recserv.uiowa.edu/Apps/Facilities/OutdoorRentalCenter.aspx]The”>http://recserv.uiowa.edu/Apps/Facilities/OutdoorRentalCenter.aspx)
[The</a> University of Iowa - Recreational Services](<a href=“http://recserv.uiowa.edu/Apps/Programs/TouchTheEarth.aspx]The”>http://recserv.uiowa.edu/Apps/Programs/TouchTheEarth.aspx)</p>
<p>You, my friend, have been incredibly helpful. Will check these out!</p>