<p>My son was accepted into Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Florida. He wants to major in Physics and go on and go on to a great grad school. University of Florida would be free ( We are state residents/scholarships etc.). Carnegie Melon would be around $55,000 a year. Is there a big enough difference in the quality of education? My son would socially fit in better at Carnegie Mellon as it is a much smaller school and is his first choice but as parents we need to consider all factors. Any help greatly appreciated</p>
<p>^Try starting your own thread.</p>
<p>I’ve been talking to my friends and half say do the program while half say go to NU so now I’m back where I was yesterday, completely confused :</p>
<p>Go to NU – Yes, it will be challenging but it’s really not impossible to get into med school from there, don’t worry. You clearly like NU better, rastogr , and since you’ll be able to afford it, and are willing to put in the effort for getting the goods out of NU’s challenging academics, there is no reason to debate with yourself.</p>
<p>Put your deposit in for NU and don’t look back; there’s no reason to second guess yourself. You’ve made an excellent choice!</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ve made a mistake. Northwestern is a fantastic school. Good luck.</p>
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<p>I would strongly recommend the full four year college experience at Northwestern if that is a financially feasable option. You have a lifetime to do continuing medical education which will be required for licensure and board recertification but it will be hard to replace the opportunity to get two more years of a liberal arts education. I would not let the scare of not getting into medical school sway your decision.</p>
<p>OTOH, financially this is a no brainer. Assuming you work until a similar age with either option, you have two more years of peak career earnings if you get out in six years instead of eight. Your cost to attend the additional two years of college exceeds a half million dollars.</p>
<p>I passed on a six year program at Northwestern to go to Yale and an even more prestigious medical school than NU and have never regretted it. I was lucky, however, to have parents willing to pay the extra tuition for me to take that option.</p>
<p>^Fortunately for OP, “the cost for four years at NU works out to be about the same as two years at Penn State because I did receive financial aid from NU”. </p>
<p>Also, NU’s program had been changed to 7 years (additonal year is also an option) at least two decades ago. I am not sure when exactly.</p>
<p>You’ve obviously thought about it and made your decision; no point in looking back. If you’re not certain you want to do medicine, you’ve definitely made the right choice because you don’t want to lock yourself into something you’ll hate. You’ll now have time to explore your interests. Even otherwise, you’ll have the chance to experience four years at a great institution and have the potential to be well-rewarded for your work when it comes to med school admissions. Though it might be the tougher route, as long as you have the dedication, you’ll make it to med school.</p>
<p>I woke up this morning with an epiphany of sorts, I guess you could call it. I realized maybe half the reason I like Northwestern so much is because of the name, and that if I were able to get past that I would probably pick Penn/Jefferson. I’ve gone the whole day thinking I’m going to go there and I feel great about it. I don’t want to go to Penn State, I’m not excited about that, but I think I’m really excited to go to Jefferson and to be in medical school, right there on the east coast in Philly. I’ve been second guessing NU a lot which I think says something, so for now I think I’m going to go to Penn/Jeff. Hopefully though I don’t start feeling bad about this decision too, though. Because before my parents were really pushing for the program when I wanted to go to NU and now that I want to go here, my mom is starting to push for NU.</p>
<p>Now you are making it right! If your are so excited about med-school and about becoming a doctor, then congrats with a great choice and good luck!</p>
<p>Then congrats on changing your mind. There really is no wrong decision here, and Penn State is a great school too.</p>
<p>Congratulations on deciding finally – You can’t go wrong with PSU, and I appreciate the open-minded consideration you gave to the fact that mostly you want to go to NU because of prestige. Why? Many CCers are very good students and people (like me 
) but we often base our hopes on colleges based on prestige – I’m glad you didn’t. Fit and finances matter as well, and you seem to realize that – Hold on, CC, I’m saying something against the norm – PRESTIGE DOES NOT MATTER THAT MUCH. Really-- You can go to Iowa State University, and then go to Harvard Law if you so choose. Generally: CCers, study hard wherever you end up. Everywhere offers wonderful possiblities … TRULY. </p>
<p>Good luck, rastogr! I’m happy you finally decided! :D</p>
<p>Nice; one certainly has to swallow a degree of pride (I did) and many other kids going for the program faced such decisions. I felt like I would be missing out on some experience, but after talking to so many kids who also turned down great choices, it became clear that they enjoyed their time at Penn State despite it not being the most prestigious so I haven’t looked back since. The program itself is great and I’m certain many of the traditional students would be envious of the guarantee we have. Barring you change your decision again, welcome to the family.</p>
<p>Just want to chime in again: if you think that by going to Penn State you are losing out on some prestige or perhaps respect from other people, I think you’re wrong. Penn State is a great school with a lot of students and I’m sure you will get your respect when people learn you’ll be off to med school in 2 years.</p>