<p>I would choose between Vandy and the state school. No reason to pay extra for the other two. Another issue is whether or not the Vandy offer is guaranteed for four years. How difficult will it be for you to finance the rest of the costs? It probably won't be that difficult between parents, jobs, and loans. If you are truly set on med school though, the state school is probably the best deal.</p>
<p>yeah vandy or state U for sure.</p>
<p>I'm just guessing which one is the state school with the stipend and the summer ops. Don't turn it down. Read the bios of the amazing people that have taken that opportunity and what they've done with their lives. You could be one of them!</p>
<p>OTOH, how much does the money matter to you and your family? If your name is Trump or Disney, go for Duke or Dartmouth.</p>
<p>On the third hand, if your name is Trump or Disney, you wouldn't have gotten those awards.</p>
<p>My serious advice: If you are anything over 90% certain that you are going on to med school, go to the state school. If you are less than 90% sure about that, then opt for one of the "name" schools. </p>
<p>How's that for more confusion??</p>
<p>Normally I'd tell you to ignore your medical school aspirations when making this choice, but since this is a money question, the fact that medical school is going to put you about $150k in debt (an approx minimum at most state schools - more than $200k if you go to a private schoool), means that you at least need to consider what's being set before you. Believe me, I'm in debt up to my eyeballs here.</p>
<p>If you believe that you'll be happy at the state school as you laugh to the bank, then I think it's a no-brainer. But I know that some people, who are incredibly intelligent, feel like they got "stuck" at a state school, resent that fact, are miserable, and end up not caring so they end up with poor grades - sabotaging their own dreams and future. If you feel like you might be headed down that path, and that Vandy might avoid that, then maybe that's where you should go.</p>
<p>At this point, Duke and Dartmouth really shouldn't even be considered.</p>
<p>Stanford, on another thread you posted that you really liked your state U and felt you fit in there and you really weren't that thrilled about your more prestigious choices. So what is wrong with the full ride at state U, get great GPA and get into a great Med School? I dont' see your dilemma, after reading your other post on the other thread. You said you felt at home at the State U.....also, what is your state U? That makes a difference. UCLA? UT? UMich? Makes a difference from other lesser known state Us....</p>
<p>I read from another post that SU is Indiana University in Bloomington, and you love it, and your friends are going there.</p>
<p>This is a very very easy decision.</p>
<p>Go to the State University.</p>
<p>If you aren't happy or satisfied, then transfer.</p>
<p>go to IU, have fun, get a 4.0 and a good MCAT, go to a top 10 med school.</p>
<p>I'm 100% sure of med school (currently working with IUPUI on some med research, and impressed with it)</p>
<p>I got the extra money from STAR research and smaller departmental offers.</p>
<p>But that's at this point...who knows how I'll feel in 1 or 2 years?...If I do reroute to some other career path in which undergraduate does matter a lot, I don't want to rue over it</p>
<p>Well, then you transfer at that point. I think you are worrying way too much. GPA is very important when looking at any Grad school....are your parents pushing you?</p>
<p>Purely Personal Opinion:</p>
<p>Start by eliminating the high-cost Duke and Dartmouth options.</p>
<p>Then, visit Vanderbilt. It may well be that you don't like it even as much as IU, in which case the matter is settled.</p>
<p>If you do like Vanderbilt after talking to faculty, dept. reps, and students, consider that the merit award is for four years, renewable with just a 3.0 (unless that has changed). </p>
<p>A number of people have suggested transferring after freshman year if IU doesn't measure up. I doubt very much the scholarship to Vanderbilt will still be available, and the transfer odds at Duke and Dartmouth are not that great. I think you need to make an informed decision at this point.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>If you go to State U and don't like it in 2 years, then you can transfer and will have saved yourself a lot of money and even gained some.</p>
<p>But I generally agree with midmo, in that you should go visit both schools. My above advice is based on the fact that you seemed to really like IU but aren't sure of how you'll feel in several years.</p>
<p>Bigredmed had a really good point. If you suspect that your attitude would suffer at the state university, Vandy is worth the extra money. However, the people who advise going to state u for a couple of years and transferring if unhappy are ignoring the fact that it is harder to get financial aid as a transfer student.</p>
<p>Honestly 40K is a lot of money, but in the scope of life its not enough IMO to make you choose the state school. Vandy sounds like an amazing deal. Its going to give you far greater access to placement resources and research. Its going to likely provide you with a better social experience hanging out with other talented students. Dartmouth and Duke are amazing schools, but only you know your finances.</p>
<p>You only get to go to college once. I wouldn't let the price of a lightly equipped BMW 3-series determine what many consider the best years of life.</p>