<p>So I recently committed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and have been getting more and more excited to go there each day....until tonight. I got a call from the dean of admissions at Notre Dame, who told me that I was being accepted off of their waitlist. I'm torn.</p>
<p>Madison will only cost me around 20 grand a year, whereas Notre Dame will be 52 grand (my parents are only covering 20 grand). BUT, Notre Dame obviously has a better academic reputation than Madison and I want to eventually go to med school, so my undergrad degree is kind of important.</p>
<p>I have to respond to Notre Dame in a week and I have no clue what to do.</p>
<p>You should figure what the average Notre Dame undergrad to med school acceptance rate is and compare it to University of Wisconsin-Madison. Based on Wikipedia, Notre Dame says “According to university statistics, its science pre-professional program has one of the highest acceptance rates to medical school of any university in the United States.” </p>
<p>Anyway, the environment of private schools are very different than public schools (many many more students). You need to see what school will fit better with you (and figure out if that 30k difference is worth it).</p>
<p>First of all, congrats on getting off the waitlist. I’m a future domer.</p>
<p>About med school, yes ND has a better med school. But also you have to consider other factors like the religious environment of ND, the tradition, the athletic spirit, etc. If you’re okay with them and if cost isn’t much of a factor, then I can say you’re a domer.</p>
<p>However, think about it and good luck in your choice.</p>
<p>32k/year debt for you would be a no go in my opinion. Think about it, do you Really want over 100k debt coming out of college? That could hurt you for years to come. I’d say go with the more fiscally responsible choice. Esp. in this economy.</p>
<p>Notre Dame is giving NO financial aid? Well, if not:</p>
<p>$32,000 x 4 = 128,000. At a 7% interest rate (which is pretty low), at a 10 year repayment (which is typical), you will be paying back $1500. a MONTH. Wow.</p>
<p>Think of it as this: </p>
<p>You will be buying four of your friends a car each, and paying the loans off for 10 years, but you don’t get any car.</p>
<p>Or, you will buy a house for those friends and paying their mortgage, but you don’t get to live there, and you still have to pay rent somewhere else.</p>
<p>I am always one to advocate for better name school. But in your case, you can’t afford it. Fact of the matter is your parents are only willing to pay 20,000. You can’t be graduating with 130,000 debt, especially if you want to go to a medical school. Keep on loving WI. Money matters.</p>