<p>I have narrowed my choices to Vandy and Princeton. Vandy was not even really in the running until I received the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship (full tuition) from Vandy. Princeton is obviously a lot more prestigious, but we would have to pay full cost.</p>
<p>I want to go to medschool and Princeton also has noticeably higher medschool admission rates, particularly to top-tier med schools. When I visited Princeton I fell in love with the campus--it is truly wonderful.</p>
<p>Fortunately, my family has the means to pay for a Princeton education, but I feel bad going to Princeton when I could save their money by going to Vandy.</p>
<p>I am 100% set on becoming a doctor (not changing majors/interests) and always want to be the best at everything I do, which makes me lean towards Princeton.</p>
<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated as far as premed experiences at either place and what you would do.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Go with Princeton.</p>
<p>Your family can pay for it. You like it more.</p>
<p>If you take the scholarship to Vandy, will your parents help pay for med school? That may be the best way to go.</p>
<p>Remember, overall med school admissions numbers mean nothing. What matters is your own personal chance of admission. You will need excellent grades and a good MCAT score. Will it be easier to get those grades at one particular place? What about opportunities to volunteer at hospitals or get involved the medical research? For that, Vandy may be the better choice.</p>
<p>As I said on the other thread, Vanderbilt is the best choice here. My son in law is a doc at Vanderbilt, and even as an undergrad, you can have research opportunities and “shadowing” opportunities at one of the best medical centers in the country. You will love Nashville and Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Is your family more than happy to pay for Princeton? Can they easily afford to do it? Will they also pay for your medical education ? If the answer is yes to all of the above, go to Princeton.</p>
<p>I agree with rjkofnovi. While I appreciate your desire to save your family money, I also know that, as a parent, if I could afford it, I would want my child to attend the school of his/her choice. If your family can afford to pay for Princeton and is supportive of a decision to matriculate at the school, then I would take money out of the equation.</p>
<p>Then you are left with Vanderbilt vs. Princeton without factoring in finances. I firmly believe that Princeton offers an amazing, hard to beat undergraduate experience. The med school acceptance rates are quite high, undergraduate research opportunities abound and there is a new hospital opening in May 2012 which will offer increased shadowing opportunities [New</a> Hospital Project | Princeton HealthCare System](<a href=“http://www.princetonhcs.org/default.aspx?p=8485]New”>http://www.princetonhcs.org/default.aspx?p=8485) </p>
<p>Since you prefer Princeton, I would choose Princeton.</p>
<p>I think the answer to this question relies on whether your family can pay for both Princeton AND med school. If they can, go for it. If they can’t, go to Vandy and have them pay for med school.</p>
<p>If you can pay for Princeton, and you like Princeton more, I see no debate in this decision – Go to Princeton. Always go to the school which you can pay for and feel comfortable with. Your post seems to definitely lean toward Princeton, and with no finance issues, you should go there. Fit and finance are the most important parts of a college decision (Personal Experience) and thus, Princeton in your case satisfies both.</p>
<p>^But don’t forget about med school expenses too.</p>
<p>^ A VERY valid point. 
Sorry I overlooked that… I assumed that this was only an undergraduate level discussion. If your parents are wealthy enough to pay the price for a Princeton undergraduate education AND a med school education, go for Princeton. However, if you cannot, then Vanderbilt would DEFINITELY be the better choice – Very prestigious school, and also full tuition. You can save some $$$ on med school expenses this way if your finances aren’t that nice to pay for both Princeton and med.</p>
<p>^Exactly. I completely agree.</p>
<p>You should be aware of the grade deflation at Princeton which could likely make your time more stressful than at a school like Vandy where it would be easier to maintain a higher gpa. I would cautiously approach numbers on med school acceptance rates from each school b/c it doesn’t include those who aren’t allowed to apply b/c their gpa is too low or a reason of that manner. When it comes to med school admissions, where prestige of undergrad is overshadowed by gpa/MCAT, Vandy looks like the better package not only because it could be less stress, but you’re saving up money that could be better spent at a prestigious med school.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is also known for grade deflation (although the students are supportive not cut-throat)</p>
<p>Also, a Princeton-caliber student would likely be helped by the curve at Vandy.</p>
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<p>Grade deflation has not measurably impacted grades in science courses (in fact one of the reasons it was instituted was because humanities classes were graded more leniently than science classes and the administration wanted to equalize the grading). While I am not a fan of grade deflation, it has not appreciably impacted graduate school admissions or job prospects.</p>
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<p>It appears that you’re saying that the OP would do well at Vandy because the kids there are not as smart as the kids who attend Princeton. Is that actually what you’re saying?</p>
<p>Look, if in fact the father who posted is the father of the OP, then it is clear that he prefers Vandy because of finances and I would never argue with that. However, if in fact finances are not a concern, I continue to believe that Princeton would be the better choice for the OP. The undergraduate experience is amazing, the OP loves the campus and his/her prospect for admissions to medical school are as strong or stronger than at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is very strong for pre-med, but it is not Princeton. You want to go to Princeton, and your parents can afford and are willing to pay for it. So go to Princeton.</p>
<p>Different from from other thread (not my dad), though very similar. Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>OP, can your parents afford both med school and Princeton?</p>
<p>^ The answer to this question will help you decide OP – If you can pay for Princeton and medical school, then Princeton. If you cannot, well, choose the full tuition at prestigious Vanderbilt and go to med school with a well-financed pocketbook. Either way, you really can’t lose – This comes down to expenses.</p>