Take scholarship, or pay 50 thousand a year?

Paying for College
1

<p>I've been beating myself up over the past few months trying to decide how to best plan for my future. I really want to go to a school like Duke, UVA, or Bucknell, but these schools are SO expensive. my family will most likely not qualify for any financial aid, but my parents are still going to expect me to contribute any costs over $35 thousand. </p>

<p>my problem is this: Assuming I get into one of these schools, should I attend one of the more expensive universities, or should I opt for one that offers me at least a half-tuition merit scholarship? I want to become a doctor, so not only would I have debt from college, but I will probably face 200 thousand-ish (or more?) from med school. </p>

<p>And, what would be better? Going to a more prestigious college, or a more prestigious medical school? Does it really matter in the end, since my success depends on what I myself put into it (rather than what school I go to)? Would going to an expensive, prestigious medical school result in a higher income in the long run?</p>

2

<p>klo9, if your professional aspiration is to be a medical doctor you do not need "prestigious" in medical school. All US medical schools are very good and very difficult to get in. You will get a very good medical education from any of them and be able to serve competently afterward. Medical schools in general look for good GPA and MCAT scores. Your EC involvement and your desire to be a medical doctor will also be important factors. You are right about your success depends on what you put into it and you can do just as well in any college that you go to.</p>

3

<p>For premed, there are a lot of state schools easily $35,000 or less for OOS that will give you a good preparation for medical school.</p>

4

<p>Are you sure your parents won't qualify for aid? Before you can be certain about this, you should have them run some numbers through a basic financial aid calculator. You don't have to be poor to get significant aid.</p>

5

<p>klo9, Is there still time to apply to a combined premed/ med school program? That may be an answer.</p>

6

<p>No, the combined premed/med school isn't an option for me because of other circumstances. </p>

<p>And as for qualifying for aid, my parents put their info into some of those financial aid calculators and basically their "expected contribution" was over the cost of actual tuition.</p>

7

<p>Have you applied to schools that are $35,000 or less?</p>