Please help me! I'm going crazy....

Parents Forum
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<p>Hi, I never thought I'd post in the Parent's Forum, but I'm desperately seeking advice.
Ok, so, here goes...</p>

<p>I know the deadline has passed for informing schools of decisions, however, Columbia just sent me an email today saying that if I still wanted to attend, I could reply by Thursday, May 12th. I already sent in my enrollment fee to the University of Miami, where I was accepted into the 7 year guaranteed med program, and I was pretty much dead set on it. Columbia was always my dream, I never figured I'd get in, and when I did, it was even more disappointing because of the price tag. After Columbia, I'd be in about 200K of debt. Miami, with its guarantee and scholarship aid, seemed more practical, so I chose it.</p>

<p>However, I'm having second thoughts, mostly because I don't think I'll be happy at Miami. I go to a public school, and honestly, I'm sick of the general apathy students have towards academics here. I've spoken to many students at Miami, namely those in the program and a few regular students, and they have all said that the general atmosphere of Miami, though pretty laid-back, is much like a public school. I'm more of an "intellectual" type of student, and I feel I won't fit in at Miami. The thing that attracted me to it was the guarantee, the scholarship, and how I'd be pretty relaxed with not having to apply to med school again. </p>

<p>Now that I think about it, though, I feel like I'm sacrificing the great educational and social/extracurricular experience of Columbia for a med program that might not be so great after all. I know I want to become a doctor, but I also want to have the best college experience as possible, academically and otherwise, which I think Columbia will offer to a greater extent than Miami. I'm willing to work hard to get into med school again, even though I know I will be more stressed, but I keep thinking Columbia will be worth it. </p>

<p>So, do you think its best that I stick with the "safe" option and go with Miami, or sort of fulfill my "dream" and go to Columbia?</p>

<p>I'm sorry this post was so long, but any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated. This whole ordeal is driving my parents and me crazy!</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>It would drive me crazy, too!!...I would take the risk and do Columbia....but then I wouldn't owe all that money!!</p>

<p>Congrats!!!</p>

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<p>I don't know anything about Miami but the program to which you've been accepted is pretty specialized. I would think others accepted into the program would be much more academically-focused than the majority of Miami students. I also assume that getting into a good residency program depends a lot on who you know. That might be an advantage to Columbia's program but if the Miami medical faculty did their residencies at top-flight schools, that might not matter so much. Other things to consider: Is Miami known for any specific medical specialities that are of interest to you? What are the "average" salaries of MD's from each school -- and how long will it take you to pay off $200K? Do you want to live in NYC (which could be a hassle) versus warm, sunny Miami? Could you transfer to Columbia if you didn't like Miami?</p>

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<p>I said this to someone else on the college admissions board and I'll say it to you: You do not HAVE to go to a school just because they want you and are pressuring you to enroll.</p>

<p>Let's weight some facts here. You say Columbia will mean $200K plus in debt. Add in the cost of medical school debt and you're likely looking at close to half a million dollars in debt. Now, some medical specialists may make fantastic sums of money but most doctors these days, due to managed care, make far less. So, it may take some years for you to be able to pay off a debt the size of a nice little house somewhere. </p>

<p>Some questions for YOU to consider: are you 100% certain you want to become a doctor? If so, are you willing to carry a huge debt burden to reach that goal? Or, is there a chance, just a chance, that you may change your plans in college once you get into pre-med classes? Or maybe, change your plans once you're exposed to other intellectual interests in college? </p>

<p>I could tell you what I would do, but what I (or anyone else) would do doesn't matter. What matters is YOU. What do your gut instincts say? My advice: don't go around asking a thousand people, including strangers who don't know you, what you should do: that tends to cloud gut instinct. Instead, talk with your parents, weigh the questions I've asked, and make your choice. Once you've made it, don't look back with doubt: look forward. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thank you all for replying!</p>

<p>Actually, I was admitted RD, not off the waitlist. I guess they gave me like a "second chance" or something to accept admission. I am positive I want to go into medicine, I just don't want to feel like I'm sacrificing a great educational experience just for an early admission to med school. It's really frustrating, because my heart is saying Columbia, and my mind is being more practical and saying Miami. You're right though, carolyn, I guess I shouldn't waste time posting here and just make a decision. I keep thinking, though, that after a few years I'll regret my choice.</p>

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<p>Do you mean that you would owe $200K at Columbia even before you went to Med School? And then, presumably, you would have to take on substantial additional debt to go to Med School? And that is in comparison with what debt (if any) coming out of Miami after Med school?</p>

<p>My opinion is (1.) school is mainly what you make of it, not what school you are at; (2.) don't be so sure that students at Columbia are all interesting and eager to learn, many will be there just to grind out the grades and go to grad school. Therefore, your expectations of your life at Columbia may be a little unrealistic; and (3.) $200K and up is a LOT of money.</p>

<p>Only you can decide if the apparent advantages of Columbia are worth any particular amount of money to you. All I can say, speaking as someone who is a lot older than you, is that it will seem like forever when you are paying off that huge loan, and trying to buy a house or start a family.</p>

<p>Your instinct, as you say, was to go to Miami. Think long and hard before you go against your instinct.</p>

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<p>Willy, yep, I just re-read your orignal post and saw that. But, the point is still the same: You don't have to go to a school just because they want you. However, if you really believe that you will regret your decision down the road, do some more thinking, listen to your gut instinct, and do what you believe is right for YOU. Then, don't look back, look forward. Don't play the "what if" game, take the "what is is good" route. Best of luck and I'll be thinking of you - hope you will let us know what you decide.</p>

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<p>Which of these two things do you want more? Whichever it is, there is your answer. </p>

<p>If it were me, I'd go for the sure thing at Miami. There is no guarantee you'll get into medical school after Columbia. College lasts 4 years. Your work career lasts 40 years. Better IMO to make a small sacrifice in what you wanted for the 4 years to make sure you get what you want for the 40.</p>

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<p>I also agree that only you can make the decision. </p>

<p>From what I know about the program you are considering at Miami, it is extremely competitive. Congratulations on getting selected for it. You will be among a bright bunch if you go. </p>

<p>I will admit that I am biased. My S is going to Miami (but not for that program) and we all agreed up front - like last summer - that merit money was crtitical to the search and the decision.</p>

<p>What I would like to add to the discussion is that Miami is becoming a more serious place every year, as the competition for spots at more competitive places increases, and as bright kids are lured by the warm weather, sunny skies and generous scholarships they can find in South Florida. My H is a college professor and taught at an ivy, and when Miami became my S's first choice, we were concerned about the quality of the academics there. Once he was accepted and awarded a scholarship, we visited for 5 days, talked to lots of profs, including one he taught with at said ivy who is now teaching at Miami, as well as others with equally prestigious pedigrees. We came away convinced that our S would get a good education. </p>

<p>The typical student at Miami may not be as intellectual as the typical student at Columbia, but Miami is attracting good kids to all of their schools, and the particular program you are in will have top notch kids.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Remember, you can't hang out with everyone at a big uni. There will be plenty of motivated students at Miami, and it won't take much work to find students with whom you are intellectually compatible. And not too many academic slackers will make it in the classes you will be taking for your program. </p>

<p>If you go to Columbia, $200,000 of undergrad debt + med school debt will be the dominant factor in every single decision you make for years.</p>

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<p>Another thing to consider is that it might not get into med school if you go the Columbia route. Med schools are more likely to take someone with a top 5% rank at a lesser school than a top 30% rank at a more prestigious school. </p>

<p>As a serious question, who would loan you $200K? When people loan other people money, they expect to be paid back. I don't think that loaning someone $200K based upon the possibility of them having a big income way down the road would be a good investment. Are government student loans available for that kind of money?</p>

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<p>When you're about to start college, educational debt is a vague abstraction. Once you're paying it, it feels much more concrete. </p>

<p>What feels really concrete to you right now is where you'll be going to school in the fall.</p>

<p>Not every doctor has an especially lucrative practice. Not every doctor wants to make the lifestyle choices that are required by having a lucrative practice.</p>

<p>I have a good friend who's a physician in her mid forties, and her educational debt is still an enormous financial and psychological burden. </p>

<p>You're no longer considered to be a student when you're a resident; they may expect you to start servicing that enormous debt while you're being paid a modest stipent.</p>

<p>You should make your own choice, but in your shoes I'd go with Miami. Not only would you be spared the debt, but you'll also be spared the experience of wondering whether you'll get into medical school over the next four years.</p>

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<p>I agree with most of the other posters: go with Miami. You decided on it once already. You may just be having a bit of "buyer's remorse" now, thinking about the might have beens. However, $200,000 is a LOT of debt. And you have no way of knowing that you would really be happier there.</p>

<p>You do have to do what seems right for you. But remember, feelings are fickle. You could choose Columbia and end up regretting THAT decision, as well.</p>

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<p>...don't you want to study under palm trees? </p>

<p>;)</p>

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<p>Columbia aside for a moment. If you go to Miami, and change your mind about med school, you have lost a few months and a few classes. You have proven you are selective school material, and you stand a reasonable chance at transfer to a more "intellectual" school, if that is what you want at that point. And I'm saying this as someone who on general principle thinks 6-7 year med programs are a bad idea for most students.
If you choose Columbia, and you have to borrow even $100000 to attend, youstand a good chance of having shut the door on med school before you have even applied - Miami in this situation actually gives you more options.</p>

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<p>Definitely Miami. No debt, guaranteed med school. What's to question?</p>

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<p>Thought of one more thing - would you be even thinking about this if Columbia hadn't sent you that email?</p>

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<p>Excellent question Wish. And, by the same token, if you had chosen Columbia and Miami were asking this question, would you also be having doubts about turning down the accelerated med school program? </p>

<p>Cangel, I also like your point. Many colleges will keep your file open for a year, making it easier to transfer. If he decides he doesn't like the med program at Miami, he has the option to transfer, and Columbia might be more inclined to put him at the top of the transfer application file.</p>

<p>But, I also believe that you should start a school with every intention of making the commitment to stay there.</p>

<p>Good luck== please let us know what you decide.</p>

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<p>Living with cockroaches the size of VW bugs?</p>

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<p>I've always wondered if a kid even could borrow that kind of money for college. My impression is that the amount of loans to kids were capped (while loans to parents aren't).</p>

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<p>LMNOP, there was actually a question on the board of another school about bugs - if they were there, the kid who was asking wouldn't be!</p>