Pre-med: ASU Barrett vs UMD vs Miami...your thoughts?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>These three schools seem to be my favorites. I think I have a good chance at all three. I am trying to see if anybody has feedback or suggestions. Plan to study Economics or Business.</p>

<p>ASU Barrett</p>

<p>Pros:
-Cost. My estimated price is ~$20,000
-Honors college. Barrett seems like a great HC and would make the big state U feel more personal and it gives great benefits
-I would be roughly top 10% here based on SAT scores. This is the big plus for me. I think I would get the best GPA at a school where I'm at the top.
-#18 in the world for Economics/Business, no doubt WP Carey is top notch (ARWU 2012)
-Location, weather, sports, research are all good
-I "like" it</p>

<p>Cons:
-Distance from home, ~2000 miles, this is only a con for my parents. I don't care...they're the overprotective-type.
-Some classes will be very big
-Party school rep</p>

<p>UMD</p>

<p>Pros:
-Cost, again. Estimated price is ~$24,000
-Close to home
-Research, sports, internships are all good
-Well-respected</p>

<p>Cons:
-I wouldn't get into the HC, so I wouldn't have any benefits, will have to deal with weeder classes, school not feeling personal, and class registration problems
-I'm only slightly above average based on SAT scores
-Never really "liked" it, just seems like the "default" option
-Don't like the location</p>

<p>Miami</p>

<p>Pros:
-Small classes, amazing student:faculty ratio
-Beautiful campus
-Great location
-Again, great sports, research, and opportunities
-I "like" it
-Well-respected</p>

<p>Cons:
-Cost. Estimated price is $61,000. Doubt I'd get merit. Parents CAN pay it, but I am really starting to doubt paying $250,000 for undergrad. Parents would likely want me to look at alternative ways to fund medical school, eg. military HPSP if they had to pay this much for undergrad, whereas they would happily cover medical school if I went to ASU/UMD.
-I'm only slightly above average based on SAT scores
-It will be the most rigorous out of the three</p>

<p>Thanks. I hope you read over this and can give me some feedback.</p>

2

<p>Based on what you said, and factoring “like” and cost equally, ASU Barrett is a no-brainer.
:slight_smile:
Congratulations! It’s really an amazing Honors College. As for the Party School atmosphere, you’ll be in the Honors Dorm (you can stay all 4 years, it’s suite style even for freshmen, and overall it’s designed to make you glad you’re living on campus), but if you don’t like it you can request Substance Free Housing or move off campus. You’ll be graduating from ASU-Barrett so everyone who cares will know you weren’t there to party.
If you have AP credits you’ll be able to skip some large intro classes, and being in the Honors College you’ll have smaller classes during freshman year (either with the Honors seminars or with the special Honors section of regular classes). You will certainly have a couple large classes during your first two years but certainly not to justify $41,000 a year. And it’ll definitely be as rigorous as Miami.</p>

3

<p>Have you already been accepted to Barrett? If so, congrats. I didn’t know what their time-table is for acceptances.</p>

4

<p>I applied to UMD and ASU by the priority deadline and to Miami EA. I have not been accepted anywhere yet, but I think I’m within range for Barrett. SAT is above average and my ECs are kind of unique. January 10th is the notification for priority applicants. My Barrett essays will be exceptionally good, I want the opportunity.</p>

<p>It is also possible to apply to Barrett as a first semester freshman. I will try to get a hold of someone from admissions and ask about what this would require, in case I don’t get in.</p>

<p>Edit again: Just sent an email over to Barrett admissions asking about what it takes as a first semester freshman to be admitted to Barrett.</p>

5

<p>Got an email back. Seems that if I don’t get in initially, I would have to get good first semester grades to get in second semester.</p>

<p>

</p>

6

<p>81 degrees and blue skies in Tempe today. Also I think SWA does 11 flights a day to BWI (not sure exactly where you are flying from).</p>

7

<p>That’s amazing. Ironically, I was telling my friends how I am going to go a college with warm weather today… as we walked outside in 30 degree weather with windchill.</p>

<p>DCA/BWI are roughly equal distance from me, either one is fine. DCA would probably be preferred since my dad drives by it every day. Would make drop offs/pick ups easy.</p>

8

<p>I thought you’d already heard back :slight_smile:
Well, then, if you get into Barrett, it’s still the best option. If you don’t, it’s a tough call.
Return when you have your actual decision and let us know!</p>

9

<p>I GOT INTO BARRETT! Going to schedule a visit.</p>

10

<p>congrats, tbb! I hope you like it. I still think UMD is the way to go, but I’m partial to low COA and quality. I looked at Barrett for D and saw nothing to make the extra money worth it.</p>

11

<p>Congrats!!
:)</p>

12

<p>

</p>

<p>thanks!</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>thanks! COA at Barrett will actually be about $4-5000 less than UMD including travel. Though that really is insignificant and I’ll go to the one I like the best. I’m yet to receive my scholarship notification, but the estimator has it at $13,000 per year. I don’t know, I’m just not really feeling UMD. I feel like Barrett will prepare me the best for my main goal: medical school. I know my dad is happy that he can save lots of money for medical school (if I get in) by me going to a cheaper school. He still wants me to go to Georgetown, but I just don’t see that happening…too much money, too competitive; maybe I’ll go to their medical school in the future.</p>

13

<p>I guess I live a lot closer to UMD than you do since D would get in-state tuition! Good luck with your decision. Tell your Dad he can foot the bill for med school at Georgetown. That ought to make him happy: my bodybuilder, the debt-free doctor!</p>

14

<p>How did you find out you got into Barrett? Have they started releasing results already?</p>

15

<p>CONGRATULATIONS! What an awesome way to start the new year!
I agree, Barrett + cheaper cost trumps UMD “regular”+more expensive, plus you liked Barrett more…
Wait till you have your financial aid packages but I think your family will be toasting a very HAPPY new year tonight!</p>

16

<p>^^ I received an email saying that I had a decision, then went on the Barrett honors self-service part of the application. I had an option to view a letter, which was my acceptance letter! I confirmed it with the Barrett student support specialist and I’m in! I do not know why I got it so early. I was just accepted to ASU like 2 days ago (after a month of being in review lol) so maybe they reviewed my Barrett app at the same time.</p>

<p>^ thanks! Dad made me call all the relatives, everyone is ecstatic.</p>

17

<p>that’s great. I’m happy for you. I don’t know what I was thinking about UMD being cheaper when a) you had said so and b) I was looking at Barrett for D and knew it was cheaper than our flagship. Miami’s a good school, too. It’s great to have choices.</p>

18

<p>As a pre-med, note that the $164,000 difference over four years between ASU and Miami will probably pay for four years’ of in-state medical school tuition at Maryland, or two years’ of private or out-of-state medical school tuition elsewhere (but this does not include room and board costs while in medical school).</p>

<p><a href=“https://services.aamc.org/tsfreports/select.cfm?year_of_study=2014[/url]”>https://services.aamc.org/tsfreports/select.cfm?year_of_study=2014&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

19

<p>^ my exact thoughts. No need to go to a private school when I could get all the same amenities that they offer through Barrett at a much lower cost. School name barely matters anyways for undergrad (for medical school admissions) and at ASU, I’d be in pre-req classes where I’m way above average, compared to just average or even below average at Miami and Georgetown, respectively. I can always go to Georgetown or Miami for medical school if I have good enough stats.</p>

20

<p>okay, but cool down before making any decisions you can’t reverse ;+) you have some time.</p>