<p>I can't decide whether to attend the University of Chicago or Indiana University-Bloomington. I know this must seem like a no-brainer question (University of Chicago!) but then the cost is a problem and my parents seem to naturally expect me to go to IU. They take it for granted that all of their kids are going to instate schools.</p>
<p>UChicago: My EFC is $13,125 and I have around $5000 in federal loans.
IU: EFC is $9,363 and I have $3500 in federal loans.</p>
<p>UChicago is my dream school and I adore it. However I'm hoping to go to a really good medical school and the university's core curriculum is really tough and the average GPA is 3.3 and medical schools do look at the GPA very critically.
I do like IU and if I do go, my parents said they would pay more for my education than if I went to Chicago (although I believe the increase wouldn't be that large). Any advice is very much appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>
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UChicago: My EFC is $13,125 and I have around $5000 in federal loans.
IU: EFC is $9,363 and I have $3500 in federal loans.
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</p>
<p>The actual difference is $5262/yr. For 4 years, it would be around 20g. Now, is Chicago worth extra 20g? YES, YES, YES.</p>
<p>Yes, you should feel grateful to your parents for all the things that they've done for you. But now is high time that you should look out for yourself and do what's best for you. This is the case where incurring 20g debt is highly worthwhile.</p>
<p>Go to U of Chicago with extreme prejudice.</p>
<p>"BOYS BE AMBITIOUS" </p>
<p>Jibun wo kowagaru koto Sore ga ichiban okubyou sa
Kimi wa kimi to tatakai HONTO no kimi ni nare
BOYS BE AMBITIOUS</p>
<p>The obvious answer is Hyde Park. However, I think if you work hard and take on the most rigorous work offered, you can go a good med school from either place. I am quite certain Chicago will challenge you even further. But that could be both a blessing and a curse. Make sure you are commit to come out ahead if you go Chicago.</p>
<p>I am very surprised that you didn't get more merit aids from IU given your Chicago-admit qualification.</p>
<p>The newest surgeon in my wife's office went to UI ug and for med school. The senior guys are extremely picky but he was their #1 choice for a practice in Seattle. I think science majors at any Big 10 school are very good and will provide all the education you can handle--in an atmosphere that is more enjoyable for most people. The cost difference is not that large but $5,000 a year could pay for some good summer programs.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Med Schools don't take GPAs w/o a grain of salt.
A 3.3 from the infamous grade deflators (UChi, Swarthmore etc...) looked on just as highly as a higher GPA from a less rigorous school. Check placement rates if you want an accurate idea of Med school placement.</p>
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A 3.3 from the infamous grade deflators (UChi, Swarthmore etc...) looked on just as highly as a higher GPA from a less rigorous school.
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I wouldn't be so sure. The application/acceptance stats were recently posted for Johns Hopkins, and the lack of grade inflation had a very obvious deleterious impact.</p>
<p>what's your source warblersrule? The application/acceptance stats of which you talk about .... the admissions decisions can be based on multiple factors so even if Hopkins does have grade deflation, your logic is false to assume that this "deleterious impact" is a result of GPA's.</p>
<p>The Chicago pre-med question has come up over and over again... I believe there's a link to some admittance stats over on our message boards... there's also the beauty of the internet.</p>
<p>An anecdote I posted earlier today-- a friend of mine who was coming into Chicago as a first year with no lab experience e-mailed a bunch of profs over the summer asking if she could join their research. She got three or four offers to join researchers, and now she's one of one or two other ug's in a lab with grad students, and she's being treated as an equal, giving presentations on findings left and right.</p>
<p>I'm sure Indiana has research opportunities too-- it has to! However, that you said that Chicago's your "dream school" makes me think you'd be much happier here than you'd be at another school. If you like the idea of Chicago now, you'll only like it more once you're here.</p>
<p>Go to Chicago and bring your parents to opening convocation. (You'll have to show up early to get seats in the chapel). At the end of the ceremony, your parents will be in tears if they're at all sentimental, and the greatest experience of your life will begin.</p>