<p>Not sure of major yet. Probably something in the natural/physical sciences. Pre-med. Probably going to get a per diem job at the affiliated medical center.</p>
<p>Pros/Cons for each? Which would you choose and why?</p>
<p>Well, we’re in the exact same boat, except I know that my major is neuroscience. </p>
<p>I will look at this in three regards: finance, academics, and research/ other opportunities</p>
<p>Sorry for making this being a long read. You probably want the answer right away like me.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Stony brook (if in state like me) will be about 20 per year whereas pitt (if out of state like me) will be around 40 per year. This factors in other expenses also e.g. books, etc.
Now, I luckily have parents who sacrificed very much for my college fund. So, 160K pitt and 60K stony brook. Since my parents can afford both, that will leave me 100K for grad school (med school hopefully) and not have to worry about a large loan, just a smaller one.</p></li>
<li><p>Based on my major and non-finance aspects, I would choose Pitt. Comparing the curriculum for the two schools, I think Pitt DOMINATES. I say this because in stony brook, there are like 4 neuroscience classes to choose from and the department of neuroscience is only a branch of the biology department. However, in Pitt, neuroscience is its own department (your degree would be neuroscience, not biology with a track in neuroscience like stony) and it has MUCH more classes to offer. Two helpful links on this:
[Degree</a> Requirements | Department of Neuroscience | University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/degree-requirements.php]Degree”>http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/degree-requirements.php)
<a href=“http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/advising/documents/NROSCI2.pdf[/url]”>http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/advising/documents/NROSCI2.pdf</a></p></li>
<li><p>Stony brook is associated with Brookhaven National Laboratory, a very well regarded and respected research institution. However, I feel that Pitt has much more opportunities.<br>
Reasons: an actual course for getting freshmen into research called First Experiences in Research ( [Research</a> Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/experience/research-ops.html]Research”>http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/experience/research-ops.html) ). And of course, as my major has its own department, much more research in that subject.<br>
Lets not forget volunteering/ shadowing. I think Pitt dominates b/c of UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) literary being a 5-10 minute walk from campus; in fact some of it is on campus. I know stony has its own med school like Pitt, but the hospital offerings at Pitt are just so much more dominating I think.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I tried to be very unbiased as I am in the same boat as you, although I demonstrated Pitt as dominate - for my subject, I think it is, but you may have a different one. Please recognize that.</p>
<p>As for pre-med accpetance, I am sure there both are very good. But, note that Pitt may be more known and recognized b/c of UPMC. </p>
<p>Now, the verdict. IMO, Pitt for academics. However, we live in this thing called the economy, which is not well right now. Also, even if it was, it’s still mucho dinero either way.
So, if you are facing a decision between these two schools like me (same feeling of everything I mentioned except finance), it may come down to finance.
Overall, if your in the same exact boat as me, could you sacrifice a 60K loan for grad school for a 160K loan?</p>
<p>I kinda hate I got into stony brook b/c my heart is set on Pitt but now I’m faced with future finance. If i wasn’t accepted into stony brook or if they where the same price as stony, I would be going Hail Pitt! with no hesitation. But I have to think of future finance. </p>
<p>If you decide, please let me now, I would like to hear your opinion as well.</p>
<p>I hope I was of any help.</p>
<p>Final note, no matter where you go, try not to think that another school has more options to the point it will destroy you (which is what I would let it do) because college is what you make of it.</p>
<p>Best of regards and good luck :)</p>
<p>premedguy,</p>
<p>Don’t worry about the long response. I like in depth answers rather than “Go to Pitt” or “STONYBROOK!” We actually have many points in common.</p>
<p>I agree with you on your point about finances. I am out of state for both, so the gap between both prices is smaller. I have managed to receive scholarships to both, though. I will probably have to take out loans, but my parents aren’t the type to mind. However, I do make cost one of the factors in determining which I choose.</p>
<p>I believe that Pitt is slightly better than SBU in terms of academics. Pitt’s University Honors College seems very supportive of its students and encourages exploration and scientific research (through publications and the Bachelors of Philosophy degree, which includes a thesis that has to be defended by the student in front of a faculty panel).</p>
<p>With regards to pre-med, I think both will prepare a student well, but UPMC is a more recognized medical center compared to SBU Medical Center. I do have a point of argument with you. Stony Brook’s medical center is just as near as Pitt’s: across the street/campus.</p>
<p>I think the factor driving me towards Stony Brook is mostly financial. For this reason, I am also leaning towards Pitt. I just wanted to get an outsider’s opinion.</p>
<p>Sadly I also have a BS/MD (decision of which is still unknown) to add to the debate of where to go to college. That in itself is another debate. Oh well. We have until May 1st.</p>
<p>Good luck to you as well, and congratulations on both acceptances.</p>
<p>UPitt is great in Neuroscience and sciences in generall… very strong programs</p>