MA resident trying to decide between NorthEastern, BU and University of Florida. Plan to do premed and go to medical school. Boston has always been dream college location, but there is this little matter of cost.
BU gives $25K/year merit scholarship resulting in total net cost of over $200K for 4 years
Northeastern gives $35 K/year merit scholarship resulting in total net cost of over 150K for 4 years
UFlorida gives full ride NMF scholarship bringing the net cost to zero.
Parents willing to pay $125K total for both undergrad and grad. They will co-sign any loan I need to take on the top of it.
I know. It should be an easy decision to select University of Florida. What if I go to Florida, don’t like it and end up quitting premed and the dreams of becoming a doctor? Will the long term cost be even more than the money I save in education expense?
I did my undergad at BU and loved it, but $200k is a lot of money.
I would give UF a try. If you really hate it, you can always transfer. You will be probably be happy that you took the free ride when you graduate with no debt and are facing the cost of med school.
Why would you not take a NMF scholarship with option to EAP( early access program) to COM at UF ? It is a great public university. You can always apply to BU SOM via regular route. Make sure your UG GPA is >= 3.8 to have best chances via regular route MD.
Thanks everyone who has commented. I am leaning towards UF but has not made the final decision yet.
The question that I keep coming back is this:
Between NEU and UF, which university will increase my odds of becoming a doctor? (I know it ultimately depends on me). If there is a material difference in the odds, is that difference worth $150K?
Your thinking is not valid. Either UF or NEU can get you into med school, if you have a good grade and MCAT. The schools do not matter, especially comparing those two.l
The reason I asked the question about odds was admission stats from UF and NEU.
I believe UF applicants are admitted to medical schools at 40-45%. NEU applicants are admitted at 75% (I think that number is above 85% for Buvae college of Health Sciences).
Does this not mean as a NEU applicant, my odds are higher? What am I missing here?
@boston2089 - You’re overthinking this. If you don’t want to go to UF, don’t go. I’m starting to get the feeling that you are really looking for any validation NOT to go to UF. You don’t need to find that validation here. Apologies if I’m wrong.
Where do you get these numbers from ? Are you sure about their validity ? As per AAMC website (AAMC makes MCAT test ), if your GPA >= 3.7 and MCAT score > 517 , there is 87% probability that you will get into at least one U. S. medical school.
@123Mom123 : Thanks for your reply. You may be correct that I am overthinking but I don’t think I am looking for validation here. I am 90% certain at this point that I am going to UF. I am just trying to make sure I think this thru from all angles. I appreciate you all chiming in with your thoughts.
Thanks @grtd2010
NEU stats - I heard from one of their presentations. UF stats - I got from their website where they mentioned their acceptance rate is similar to national average.
The stats you quoted from AAMC website is useful. It underscores the point that if I get a good enough GPA and MCAT, I should be able get into medical school from either school. Thanks.
Go to UF. You don’t need $200,000 in undergrad debt, because believe me, if you go to medical school, you will need loans, loans and more loans. You could end up easily with $600,000 in debt with undergrad and Med school loans. Don’t do it!
Save your money. Take the full ride. Excel, and apply to medical school.
Med school costs about $150 k, right? Your parents will pay $125k total.
So you are already behind. The max you can take out in student loans is about $27,000 over the course of four years. Even if you choose NE, you will be on the hook for almost that much. Will you qualify for subsidized loans? If not, you will be on the hook for interest too. So economically, especially given the financial uncertainty we are all now facing, UF makes the most sense by far.
If you do end up going to med school, you will be facing a massive debt. If you go to UF, you will be in a much more manageable position upon graduation.
Many premeds fall off that path, regardless of the college they attend. If that happens to you, choose a different major. UF has plenty. I think BU is a real no. Personally, I am not a fan of Northeastern for a couple of reasons. The coop system can be great, but it’s also disruptive. Your friends leave and you don’t know when you might see them again. A lot of students end up doing unfulfilling jobs that they feel don’t prepare them for what they may want to do in the future. And with the economic downturn, who knows how the coop program will cope. That said, some kind of work experience is better than none. But for the debt you will incur, is it worth it? Maybe?
Thanks @Lindagaf On the top, today my parents said if I go to UF and then get into medical school, they will not only pay the 125K ear marked for me already, they will contribute an additional $50K for med school. I guess everyone (except a couple of my friends) are trying save me from financial trouble
