<p>My son got admission into UVA scholars program. Also the Upitt honors program has given full tuition for us (VA residency). His ultimate goal is to go to good medical school.
1)
cost of attendence (UVA= tuition+room/board (25,774* 4)=~103K
Vs
cost of attendence (Upitt= room/board (12000* 4)=~48K </p>
<p>diff = 55K debt
2) Since the ultimate goal is to go to reputed med school. Greatly appreciate any inputs or prior experience which campus helps him to get medical exposure, standing out in class to get good recommendations and opportunity to do research and scope to publish papers to become a strong AMACS medical college applicant.</p>
<p>Could not find any information where the pre-med students from UVA get admissions into?</p>
<p>3) Any thoughts or inputs in neuro science major at both UVA (only25 students. no guarantee to get admission in to that major) VS Upitt bio engineering or biology or neuroscience majors.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance . We are so confused and greatly appreciate any inputs to give us some clarity.</p>
<p>The conventional wisdom would be UVa, which has always had a strong pre-med program. However, it would be great to be debt free as an undergrad to have capacity to take on debt for med school. Please note that the Federal budget is proposing to eliminate all subsidies for graduate and professional school loans, effective next semester. That means the cost of med school borrowing will be greatly increased, because the interest will start to accrue a couple months after a loan is taken out.</p>
<p>Pitt is a great place to study any health care field. It also is a great city for college students.</p>
<p>UVA is an excellent place to do premed, but Pitt is a great school too, and if it were my kid, I’d tell him to save the money. The Echols Scholar program has its advantages but they do not include a financial component.</p>
<p>I think your numbers are off for instate tuition/room and board.</p>
<p>I have two students there, no Fin Aid and pay about 19,500/each for tuition/room and board and then books are additional of course. This number also includes all other fees-comprehensive fee, 1st year, etc. </p>
<p>The other factor you have to put into this equation is travel expenses since you are instate. </p>
<p>Either school is a great fit for the intended major/career path. Know students that have gone to Pitt undergrad and then on to Med School their only complaint was it was COLD/gray there. </p>
<p>Just wanted to give you a more accurate number for what you actually will pay with no aid.</p>
<p>I lovee UVA and usually jump on the UVA bandwagon, but I think I would opt for Pitt, particularly because of the financial component. Pittsburgh is a great city for the Health Sciences, and there’s usually a good deal going on in the city. Yes, it does get snowy and gray, but you should not make a decision based on climate alone! I went to high school with a number of students who went to Pitt and absolutely loved the school!</p>
<p>My daughter has the same decision except not Echols and we’re OOS at UVA. She is also an Alumni Memorial Scholar at Colgate whereby they replace all loans with grants - in our case, basically covering her tuition with grants. So free tuition at Pitt Honors and Colgate AMS and UVA (anxiously awaiting FA pkg from UVA). </p>
<p>My DD really liked Pitt/city atmosphere when we visited on Honors Day in March. Did you go? My DD wants to go back for the next one - too much to see on one visit. We hope to get to UVA soon too. As for Pitt, we visited a week ago when the weather was beautiful - warm, sunny, blue skies, kids wearing shorts. Got back to NJ and had snow 3 days last week - one snow day and one delayed opening. I don’t think this “winter” will ever end. As I look out the window, I still see snow. Ugh. UVA is looking really good at this point.</p>
<p>My son is about to graduate undergrad (neuro major) and he begins Med School in Aug. It’s a huge expense so think carefully about limiting UG costs. He didn’t look at Pitt for UG but now that I’ve seen it, I think it would have been a good option for him. He loves city schools and the Honors Program offers some nice opportunities for those seeking a challenge. I think the Honors Program is what you make it at Pitt. They don’t force it on you. If you haven’t seen Pitt, try to go for the next Honors Program on April 15. The Neuro program is highly regarded there. OTOH, I did visit UVA with my son four years ago and I really liked UVA. Very different environment.</p>
<p>Most pre-meds don’t make it to medical school. Yes, the really really hard-working ones don’t make it either so I suggest you think short-term…which degree is worth more, a UVA one or a UPitt one?</p>
<p>Med school aside (since it isn’t a certainty), the extra 30-50k in debt can limit your post-grad choices significantly (that’s several hundred a month in loans- money that could go towards a car, rent, travel, future education, etc.), unless you receive an amazing job offer (which is less-so the case in recent years)…and that’s if the student carries the debt. If the parent carries the debt for the student, that will still have repercussions on their later-year livelihood. </p>
<p>If your family can afford the better school without loans (or very modest ones), go to the best school possible, otherwise, you should likely consider the best program at the best cost to you/your family.</p>
<p>I only took on 30k to pay for UVA, but at $330 a month and graduating at the start of this fantastic recession, it took a major toll on where I could afford to live and work…and some smaller areas don’t know the reputation of UVA as well as more urban/metropolitan areas.</p>
<p>The total estimated cost of attendance for UVA in 2011/2012 is 23,972 including on-campus housing and board and also an approx $3,300 for books, personal expenses and travel. The UPitt $12,000 estimate may or may not include the same extra costs. Regardless, there’s a huge difference in cost to attend the two schools.</p>
<p>I don’t know enough about UPitt to comment. However, it’s true that new college students often change their majors or plans for subsequent med school. So, make sure that UPitt is a school he’ll be happy to attend regardless of his eventual major.</p>
<p>BTW - congrats on the scholarship! It’s nice to have this type of dilemma.</p>
<p>I have a bro who chose UPitt/Full Ride & Guranteed Med over UPenn, Northwestern, Duke & Vandy, etc… The facilities at Pitt are top-notch. The med school is consistently in the nation’s top 15. Across the street from Lothrop hall, is the medical center. The cathedral of learning, one of the tallest buildings in the country, is beautiful. UVA is far more expensive than pitt, and not as well-regarded for its med school.</p>
<p>If a student as a junior decides not to go forward in the med school process, there may be more opportunities at Pitt for other health related fields as an undergrad or grad student. The University of Pittsburgh Medical system, I believe, is now the largest employer in the State of Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>Wow! Two really great choices! The echols program is awesome so if you financially can do it, i totally recommend UVa. If not, I’ve heard wonderful things about Pitt’s honors program and nothing can beat a full ride anyway so i’m sure you’ll be happy either place! Good luck!</p>