<p>Ok, so here is my situation. I live in Colorado, and therefore qualify for in-state tuition at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Including tuition and "fees" like housing, books, etc. and factoring in a couple of minor scholarships, I will be paying around 20 to 22 thousand per year at CU. I have been accepted to the U of Michigan Ann Arbor also, and going there would probably cost me and my family around 35 to 37 thousand per year (out of state tuition). I know that a pretty big amount of either tuition will consist of loans since my brother is already going to Berkeley and is taking up a good amount of our 130ish thousand $ per year family income.</p>
<p>So, a few questions for you guys. Will going to Michigan as opposed to CU make it significantly easier or more likely for me to get a good job straight out of undergrad, or into a good grad school or medical school (premed is my tentative plan)? Is Michigan's name-recognition that much better than that of CU Boulder's? And if so, is this extra recognition/prestige worth the extra tuition? Most of my friends in high school and in their first two years of college say CU is the better option, but members of the baby boomer generation tend to say Michigan would be better. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>If you are absolutely sure about premed there will be little benefit to attending UMich over CU. It will be your GPA and MCATs that will be decisive. But most people who plan on pre-med do not stay in this path. So you should consider your major and what you are interested in, and compare those departments.</p>
<p>Also, if you plan on living in Colorado, the CU alumni network would potentially offset any benefit of the UM rep.</p>
<p>Yes, I know it is late. I guess I am too indecisive of a person. But there are so many factors to think about. Anyways, I confirmed enrollment for both, and am now just going forward with both until I decide. Thanks for the post, really helpful!</p>
<p>So I’ve heard that the name or prestige of a school only really matters significantly when in business, academia, or law. Is that true, and what about other biological sciences or maybe engineering?</p>
<p>If you plan to attend graduate school UM-Ann Arbor would be the pick, unless you plan to attend UC-Boulder graduate school than UM-Ann Arbor extra money for education may not have that much benefdits you seem to be looking for. Also if you suspect to live in Colorado after college, UC-Boulder would benefit… UM-Ann Arbor for out of state.</p>
<p>Hi, I have a similar delima right now. I have gotten into both but I am from Michigan. I should get some finances from FASFA but CU will probably cost a little more than we wanted to spend. I plan on pursueing business. I visited CU and just absolutely loved it but I feel like since UM is such a good school and cheaper I should go there. Do you have any advice for me?</p>
<p>I can relate to both of your dilemmas. I am the parent of a senior and he got into Colorado as out of state and today just found out he got admitted to UCLA. Colorado would be way more expensive for him to attend, but it is his first choice. We live in LA and he is too familiar with UCLA, there holds no surprises for him…Both of his parents also graduated from UCLA. He loves UCLA, has been attending the football games all of his life, but he just wants to experience living in another state and in a different environment. And you know what, we, as his parents, absolutely understand that…We never though he would attend UCLA even though there is much more of a prestige factor there than Colorado. It does help that for his major, aerospace engineering, we do think Colorado is a much better fit and will offer him more opportunities. Where we will come up with the money is another story. My point, however, is if your parents can afford to have you go to the out of state school, and you want to go there, go there. If you feel it is a better fit for you, go there. If you feel like the schools are equal and you like them equally well, then it probably makes more sense to attend your state school where the cost will be less. I do not think it matters where you attend undergraduate for graduate or med school. I went to SUNY at Buffalo for my undergraduate, and did my graduate work at UCLA. What matters is how well you do in school, what your GRE’s or Med-cats score, etc…So pick the one you feel is the best fit for you, if you can afford it. If not, then the state school is probably the better option.</p>
<p>I am have the same dilemma as skicc92. I am from Michigan and got into CU and U of M. I want to major in biomechanical/ biomedical engineering. I love CU’s location, but I know U of M has better name recognition. However I still believe CU has good research opportunities like U of M does. Also, similar to Rousse54’s son I would like to experience life outside of my home state, Michigan. Any advice on either of the schools or the major itself would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!</p>
<p>@CUorMichigan?- I haven’t put in my deposits for either school so you are ahead of the game in my books. College is a huge decision so don’t worry about being indecisive. As for my indecisiveness I like to say I just take extra time to think the whole situation through. Maybe that’s what you do too. :)</p>
<p>Go to Boulder. Boulder is a great school and “good enough” school for you to go to any grad/med program after it if you can maintain a stellar GPA.</p>
<p>As I understand, there are two types of pre-medical students. The first type is the type of student that looks at medicine in much the same way as they look at other careers- as a nice gig, maybe even their first choice, but not their singular dream. The second type is the kind of student that spends every waking moment dreaming of being a doctor. The kind whose day is made just by being called “doc” by a friend as a joke. The kind who spends hours watching surgeries online and studying old biology textbooks even without being in the class. Both kinds are capable of making great doctors, but should look for different things when choosing an undergraduate school.
Those students who are considering medicine as a career but are not heart-set and may pursue another career would be better off at a school at which they will not accrue much debt. Med school is EXPENSIVE, and unless your family has $200,000 or more to pay for it, then you will spend most if not all of you residency (until you’re in your 30’s for some specialties) in poverty. Furthermore, the authors of the posts above were 100% correct that med school admissions counselors care very little about big name institutions. That is one point on the side of going in state.
On the other hand, the University of Colorado lacks a medical school. If you’re like me and want to get in on the medical profession and start your learning now, the value of internships at the university hospital could be unimaginable. The contacts you will make and the letters of recommendation you will be able to get, even working as a desk clerk, could be extremely helpful in the med school admissions process. U of M has a large medical school, so if that’s what you’re heart is set on, it could be a better buy. Plus, if you make a good impression, you may have a small advantage getting in to UM Med. One point to Michigan for that.
If medicine isn’t your dream but just something you think you’d enjoy, you may want to reconsider your choice. You don’t really make the money people think you do, and I can’t say enough how hard it is. But there’s nothing wrong with keeping it open as an option. Medical schools admit thousands of students every year with history, english, music, and even philosophy majors. As long as you get good grades and take all the required prerequisites, you’re in good shape. If that’s your situation, then don’t WORRY about what’s “best for premed.” ANYWHERE IS! Ultimately, getting into med school depends on one thing more than any other- not the school, not internships, GRADES. Work hard and you can do it. Good luck.</p>