I’m thinking you should consider high merit (possibility) rolling admissions schools like Pitt (well-known for good pre-med opportunities and potential for merit aid) or U Alabama (well known for guaranteed aid for certain stats).
Then you need to run some Net Price Calculators at high need schools like Harvard (great with need - very difficult to get into) of U Rochester (generally great with need and a bit easier to get into - also known for pre-med). I’m not sure where U Penn fits on the need based aid scale. You could check. You can check the Net Price Calculator on ANY school you’re interested in to get an idea of what might happen.
But still, apply to some safety schools including in-state versions like VT.
Once you have acceptances and financial packages, then decide which school fits you the best of those still in the running.
@Creekland
Did some calculations - basically we have some opportunities for good FA, but now it comes down to which school to decide. People suggested either U Penn/Harvard/Rochester/Pitt/Hopkins/Alabama, but not sure which one could work (assuming FA is met, which most of them are)
@mom2collegekids
Most of the scholarships were accumulated from bunch of smaller scholarships (none of them really recognizable, except maybe for JSHS). They had really high test scores, which is why they got so many scholarships. Unfortunately, that will only cover first year - they’re going to have to get scholarships somewhere else. Trust me, we’re not rich at all, I don’t know exactly how else I can explain it.
To get that much FA, he must’ve done something more as well, right? Seems as though most of his ECs centered around science and hands-on medical experience, which may have somehow helped with his tuition. Based on the FA calculator, it seems that I would get a lot. I think it now comes down to which universities to attend (U Penn/Harvard/Rochester/Pitt/Hopkins/Alabama). They all give generous FA based on calculations (some a little short, but still plenty).
IMO, you need to apply to Pitt/UA (or a similar school) to have a safety - somewhere you KNOW you will get in (rolling admissions confirms acceptance) and is affordable.
UPenn/Harvard/Hopkins are never safeties.
URoc is more of a match, but you also can’t count on matches.
My pre-med guy applied to both Pitt and UA with no regrets. Pitt actually ended up as his second choice as they really have a lot going for them in the pre-med (and neuroscience) realm. He never cared to apply to any Ivies, so didn’t. He’s now very happily a junior at URoc, but we definitely didn’t COUNT on it ahead of time.
And take a look at some LACs while you are at it. They often get overlooked because they are small and, lacking grad schools and big sports teams, less well known. But they are a great places for pre-meds. At a LAC, you end up knowing your fellow pre-meds really well - are often in many of the same classes together - and the breeds a sense of commaraderie instead of competitiveness. The small class sizes and close faculty relationships that result are also helpful when its time for that critical committee letter (a consolidated letter of recommendation that is usually sent by the school). Some of the midwestern and southern ones are also very generous with financial AND merit aid to increase their geographic diversity.
Alabama and Temple give guaranteed merit. Pitt merit is possible and even likely with a 1500 CR +M. But not guaranteed. They also have a GAP guarantee http://www.medadmissions.pitt.edu/admissions-requirements/guaranteed-admissions.php, but you have to submit everything by Dec 1 and the BCPM GPA to keep it is high 3.75, but if you are a good student at least it might be a chance at a guaranteed med school acceptance.
Most of the scholarships were accumulated from bunch of smaller scholarships (none of them really recognizable, except maybe for JSHS). They had really high test scores, which is why they got so many scholarships. Unfortunately, that will only cover first year - they're going to have to get scholarships somewhere else. Trust me, we're not rich at all, I don't know exactly how else I can explain it.
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Yikes…it is extremely hard to get scholarships as current students. Most are for incoming frosh. Maybe they can do a co-op and use that money towards college.
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To get that much FA, he [m2ck's son] must've done something more as well, right? Seems as though most of his ECs centered around science and hands-on medical experience, which may have somehow helped with his tuition.
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No…my son got all of his merit based only on his stats…ECs had nothing to do with nearly all of his merit. His free tuition plus $5000 was all based strictly on his stats…test scores and GPA. His later small awards were based on stats as well.
Financial problem is a common concern for many individuals in this income bracket, for people in this range do not receive generous amounts of grants. Based on your previous comment about the financial burden caused by your brother and considering that you aspire to go to medical school, I would like to inform you on one thing. For medical school, the school you attend for your undergraduate years is not of great importance, unlike if you were planning to go to business or law schools. In addition, you need to look ahead-- medical schools have a net price of roughly $90,000 total. Considering that you will have gone to 8 years of school after medical school, the financial burden will be a toll.
If you have residency in VA, I will say your best achievement and decision will be going to UVA, which is not only the best school in VA, but also one of the world’s most renowned school.
Going to Stanford, Harvard, or UPENN will not make much, if any, difference in your chances at medical school, than if you are to attend UVA, for they are all considered top-tier, and it is how well you do in the college that matters the most. If you plan to go on to medical school, I, being in the same income bracket as you, and having personal experiences myself with my older brother, will recommend you to spend your undergraduate years at UVA, and plan on going to the hitherto mentioned dream schools- Harvard, Stanford, UPENN- for graduate school.
“The best pre-med program would be one that turns undergraduates into the most compassionate, perceptive, skilled and motivated physicians and surgeons ever.”
Programs do not do it. it is up to a student to accomplish that. It will be up to YOU to become a strong Med. School applicant, no place will do it for you. Choose UG that matches you personality and wide range of interests the best, and then work hard at everything, your academics, your ECs, and personal growth. Many underestimate the last, which may be a critical difference between several Med. School applicants with very similar stats and ECs.