UMiami, UF, or UGA for Pre-med

College Search & Selection
1

I live in Georgia and my family will be moving to Florida this summer, but I still qualify for 4 years of instate tuition for UGA and might be able to qualify for instate for UF after a year. I have already been accepted into UGA and am waiting on the others, which I assume I will be accepted to if everything works out (My stats: 33 ACT, 4.0 UW, 8 APs, 2 DE, 9 Honors).

Finances: For UGA, I will get HOPE, Zell, and so far, I have been awarded a $1500 a year scholarship
UMIAMI: Even if I were to receive the highest scholarship of 30k a year, tuition would still be 30k a year
UF: 20 something k a year if I don’t get a scholarship but I would only pay that much the first year if I can qualify for instate the following year (does anyone know how this works??)

I want a college experience and have a lot of student connections at UGA, but I want to keep my options open just in case. I have been told to apply to more prestigious schools, but I have chosen to leave that for medical school (hopefully).
Anyways, which would you choose and why?

2

If it were me I’d go with UGA, hands-down, because chances are it will be the least expensive option and it’s still a good school. Med school is expensive and the less debt for undergrad the better. You also want the highest GPA possible.

UF is the best public university in Florida (and toughest to get into), but your parents would have to pay close attention to establishing residency (assuming you’re under 24/dependent). They do not take many OOS students, but there have been some posts here suggesting that UF is trying to change that a bit. Many students in Florida use Bright Futures scholarship.

Here is a link for the residency issue: http://www.flbog.edu/forstudents/ati/resrequirements.php

3

Since the OP did not graduate from a FL HS s/he will not be eligible for Bright Futures (you have to apply while still in HS).

OP, tough to beat the Hope/Zell scholarships available.

4

Definitely UGa between those three given you are in-state in GA and have Hope/Zell $. Great school and college experience.

5

UGA, you’d save a lot of money and it’s not a bad school.

6

UGa or somewhere else where you’d get free tuition.

Paying OOS for UF one year and instate for 3 years is silly…unless your parents are wealthy. What are they saying?

Alabama would also give you free tuition if you apply before the Dec deadline.

7

That’s what I was thinking, but wasn’t totally sure. Thanks Erin’s Dad!

For sure - Hope and UGA seems like the best option at this point.

8

PS: second the idea to look at UA too.