<p>I posted this in another part of the forum, but I figured that people with a little insight to Vandy could help me out a bit.</p>
<p>Hey everyone! I am in a really tough spot... I am STUCK between two colleges. Now based on the topic title alone, it would seem like an easy choice; however, my scholarship to MSU compilcates things. To start of, I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering and hope to pursue Tissue Engineering. I have a full ride to MSU (plus some that I will list in a second), and Vandy is 10k a year (which my parents said is fine for them).</p>
<p>Now I LOVE both places. But I have been a Mississippian for eighteen years, and I love MSU sports, campus, people, etc. I know TONS of people there, have a great roommate set up, and feel very comfortable on campus. I'm just more familiar with it. However, Vanderbilt is an AMAZING school, althought MSU is a good engineering school too.</p>
<p>At MSU I am one of 9 Distinguished Scholars who receive:
-full tuition, board, meals, books, travel
-two $2,000 research grants useable for two separate summers (and MSU has a tissue engineering lab)
-a $1,500 study abroad stipend (MSU also has certain SA for BioMed)
-priority help in finding internships
-fall and spring distinguished scholar week-long trips around the country</p>
<p>With that in mind, is that worth giving up over Vandy? I am MOST concerned about having a great resume for Grad School, and I know that I would have a higher GPA at State. Also, my opportunity to do things IN SCHOOL may be greater with paid research, study abroad. All opinions are appreciated!! Thanks!</p>
<p>That’s true, but it’s still 40k cost for the family, and the OP plans to go to grad school, so MSU seems like a no-brainer here.</p>
<p>(Also, for the OP: I saw later in your post that MSU was Mississippi St, but it’s generally best to say up front which MSU you mean–there are a lot of them. That’s one reason why Memphis State changed its name)</p>
<p>We live in Mississippi and my DD will be graduating from Vandy in May with a Biomedical Engineering degree. She could have gone to Mississippi State free, but is so happy she chose Vanderbilt. The opportunities there are endless, and yes, I do believe a Vanderbilt degree is more valuable than an MSU degree.</p>
<p>From my perspective, it’s a no-brainer: MSU.</p>
<p>MSU is probably easier than Vandy and when you apply for jobs, (most) employers are going to be far more interested in the school you received your masters from than your undergrad degree.</p>
<p>First off, congratulations on your acceptance and aid at both schools.</p>
<p>My son hopes to pursue biomedical engineering grad school as well, and for this reason, chose a state college that also offered him amazing scholarships, as well as research opportunities, honors programs, similar to the ones you will enjoy at State.</p>
<p>Although you’re looking at 10K/year debt right now at Vandy, tuition and fees costs raise every year, and what looks like it’s affordable at the outset becomes not so affordable as years go on.</p>
<p>Also, at Vandy, you are going to be only one of a large number of brilliant kids that attend Vandy every year, including international students and competitive premeds that will be vying for the same research opportunities that you hope for.</p>
<p>At State, you will have a better shot at those research opportunities through your scholarship and among the student pool you’ll be matriculating with.</p>
<p>State has a wonderful engineering school and is in close proximity to Memphis, where a lot of biomedical work is being done at Medtronic and at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. </p>
<p>Although Starkville is no Nashville, you will have lots of opportunities there if you look for them.</p>