Undergraduate cost is not really a factor, however I will probably be able to qualify for instate tuition at UCSD after my first year. The total cost of OOS Michigan would be about $265k while 3 years instate and 1 year OOS at UCSD would be about $153k. The real question I’m grappling with is whether saving that $112k is worth the possibility of me not being accepted to a top-tier medical school. As I said before, however, undergraduate cost is not the most important factor thanks to my extremely lucky financial situation. Regardless of undergraduate cost, I will be taking on a lot of financial debt if I do decide to attend medical school, which is a segue to my next point.
I’m not 100% married to idea of becoming a doctor, but my path seems to be trending toward that. My passion for the sciences and desire to help others seems to have placed me on that track for a long time, but I may end up trying something in college that I enjoy far more. That being said, is there any relative difference between switching majors at either UCSD or Michigan? Both are large state schools, and I understand that it may be difficult to switch majors in terms of graduating on time and getting all required classes in.
As for fit, I have seen UCSD and enjoyed the campus, but I feel as though the 6 college system will create a feeling of disunity amongst the students. Instead of being UCSD students, they may feel like Muir or Marshall students. In terms of sports life, Michigan clearly has an advantage. I plan on attending one of Michigan’s Campus Days where I can tour and get a feel for the campus and other people I would meet. The Campus Day will probably be the deciding factor of my choice.
Tl;dr: Cost of undergrad is not particularly something I’m concerned about but UCSD has the potential to save me $112k, I’m not 100% committed to medicine as an 18 year old and therefore am wondering what the process of changing majors at each university is, and I have yet to tour Michigan but plan on doing so in the Spring; the Campus day will probably be a deciding factor.