<p>So basically, my choices are down to
UVA (University of Virginia)- Full scholarship
BC (Boston College)- 5000 Loans/ 2400 Work-Study/ 2500 Cash
USC (University of Southern California)- 5500 Loans/ 2500 Work-Study/ 2500 Cash</p>
<p>Money is a big issue, but if it is worth it I want to try my best to get to BC and USC.
I was wondering what school would be best for my situation.</p>
<p>I am looking for a place with
-good pre-med advisor/clubs/programs
-competitive student, but not too intense that it turns manipulative
-a personal teacher to student relationship (Of course I will put myself out there, but are the professors willing to help?)
-Pretty good support system in general
-Don't really care about drinking/partying (Priority is academics now to get to medical school)
-reasonable grading system...Some schools set marks one how many A's B's...to give out? I know all three schools are rigorous, but I am willing to go HARD.
-a campus and dorms that are easily within distance to get to classes</p>
<p>I know UVA gave me a lot of money and the financial factor is leaning me towards UVA, but if USC and BC are worth it, I really would like to know about it. I feel like private schools are more supportive of the students in general...and UVA is a big campus, so it may be hard to go from one class to another to dorms etc...</p>
<p>PLEASE LET ME KNOW I have less than a week to commit!
Thank you very much!</p>
<p>Thank you, but does UVA have a sense of community/family? I heard it has a huge campus, in which you may have to take a bus to go to your classes… That’s kind of iffy to me.</p>
<p>BC and USC are also big schools. Also, while I can’t speak from personal experience, I would guess that UVA would be more likely to have a community feel than BC or USC, since those two schools are located in urban areas.</p>
<p>So it will definitely be a new experience…are there significant differences about private and public colleges that will help/support me more??? Thank guys for all the help… I’m kind I leaning towards UVA hahah</p>
<p>UVA’s full tuition, and an amazing school – This is a no-brainer for you. When you have an excellent school giving you a FULL RIDE (Wish it happened to me, haha) then finances and prestige go hand in hand (the best kind of decision EVER.). So don’t stress–since you lean UVA, it’s science programs are great, and it does not require you to dish out any $$$ from your wallet (!!! … You’re damn lucky ), then go UVA! Think of this too – The expenses saved at UVA can contribute to med school tuition $$$. Really, you’ve got an awesome place to be in. Good luck!</p>
<p>Sam Lee, that doesn’t mean that they don’t focus on undergrads – In fact, UVA is a very undergraduate oriented school.
USC is equally prestigious (Very true) but as the OP is getting a full ride, and UVA gives excellent pre-med advising, I don’t see the problem with choosing UVA. </p>
<p>Just my 0.02. Good luck with whatever you choose, OP! :)</p>
<p>Congratulations on being a Jefferson Scholar (that’s the only full scholarship at UVa I’m aware of so I assume that’s what you were awarded)! That’s quite an honor! When you were there for the selection you should have gotten a good feel for the grounds. Your information about needing to take a bus to all of your classes is incorrect, especially from first year housing which is very centrally located. You can take busses if the occasional 15min walk is going to bother you, but imho the grounds are very walkable.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. My advise is to save your money for med school and take the scholarship at UVa.</p>
<p>What I meant was UVA is unlike other public schools; it’s smaller and in this case, smaller than USC. Size, money, and prestige all point to UVA. Seems like no brainer.</p>
<p>What about the campus size? I heard USC is like a small private campus, and UVA is a whole city that you may need to take buses to get to class…</p>
<p>UVa is in Charlottesville. The entire metropolitan area is 100,000 people, and there are only about 14,000 undergrads. Most people walk to all classes. Many people bring bikes and then find they never need to use them. </p>
<p>For some residence halls that are further out and some off-campus housing, they take UVa buses, which are free to students. There also are some free city buses, but the UVa buses go everywhere a student wants to go. The bus system and parking system is purposefully designed so that undergrad students never drive their own car to classes.</p>
<p>My S graduated from UVA last year and I visited USC with my D last spring. My impression of USC is that the buildings are close together and the campus has an urban feel to it. UVA has a LOT more green space, so some buildings are spread farther apart. My S rarely took the bus, but then he likes to walk. </p>
<p>UVA does have a community feel- the students are proud of their heritage and their founder, referred to as “Mr. Jefferson.” UVA also puts an emphasis on its honor code and academics. </p>
<p>Charlottesville is definitely a college town, whereas LA is… well, not.</p>
<p>Grounds at UVA are beautiful! When I visited, I found that there is a rich tradition and sense of community. All the buildings are gorgeous, and there is definitely a lot of green space. Charlottesville is awesome, as well. Being a Jefferson Scholar has a ton of extra perks, too, and it’s quite an honor. UVA, 10000000000000000%.</p>
), then go UVA! Think of this too – The expenses saved at UVA can contribute to med school tuition $$$. Really, you’ve got an awesome place to be in. Good luck!</p>