<p>I will be an undergraduate freshman pursuing a degree in Biology. I visited UCSB this past weekend, and loved it, but am also considering U of AZ. I received a full-tuition National Hispanic Merit Scholarship to U of AZ (30K a year + iPad + 1.5K Study abroad Scholarship), but also received 13,500 to UCSB in scholarships and grants if I do decide to go there, which would make my total cost per year about 20K. I am planning on attending medical school after I receive my degree, and I was wondering if it would be better to just go to U of AZ because it would all be paid for (no student debt)? Does it really matter where I go for undergrad? Opinions? Please help! Thanks :)</p>
<p>Tough choice. Are your parents going to pay for the tuition, or is that coming straight out of your pocket? I think that’s the key question here. Because clearly, UCSB is the better/nicer school. But if you’re gonna have to pay 20k a year out of your pocket to go there, it’s probably better to just go for free to U of A.</p>
<p>My parents can only afford about 10K a year, so id have to get a loan for the rest 
Does it really matter were I go for undergrad? Because I’d really love to get out of college debt-free, lol</p>
<p>Id take the full ride</p>
<p>Goodness, yes, take the full ride. Medical school is so expensive… very expensive … save now while you can.</p>
<p>Thanks! I’d feel like I was throwing away money if I didn’t take it! :/</p>
<p>Arizona. Are you really thinking about turning down that offer?</p>
<p>You can’t borrow 10k on your own. Without a co-signer you are limited to the Stafford Loan maximums (5,500 freshman, 6,500 sophomore, 7,500 junior, 7,500 senior year). </p>
<p>Take that full ride and have a great time at U of AZ. You will never regret being loan free!</p>
<p>Forgetting all the rankings stuff - U of A is a great school and has a medical center/med school. Not sure about UCSB. Take the money and run to Tucson…</p>
<p>Free ride.</p>
<p>Med school is EXPENSIVE! You don’t want undergrad loans!!!</p>
<p>I love the UC’s, but Arizona is good too. I say take the free ride!</p>
<p>Free is a very good price, especially with med school costs looming.</p>
<p>Another vote for Arizona here.</p>
<p>'Zona is a no-brainer.</p>
<p>And to answer your last question: when it comes to med school, it matters little where you did your undergrad. Certainly going to UCSB won’t give you a significant edge over Arizona. What matters as far as med school admissions is your GPA, MCAT score, and – a distant third – medically-related ec’s which you can certainly do in Arizona. Congratulations. Say yes to AZ and start contemplating where you’d want to go on that (free) study abroad program!</p>
<p>Arizona no question!! full ride + ipad + money to go travel… thats insane</p>
<p>Plus Arizona is part of the PAC 12 so fun sports!</p>