<p>WSU - We don't pay anything (scholarships). </p>
<p>So, basically for UW, we have an EFC of 7,000 then on top of that, my parents would have to take out about $10,000 in loans then the rest are loans on me. I don't want my parents to pay for anything--just the $7,000 already makes me feel bad. But I would much rather go to UW. </p>
<p>For WSU, we don't have to pay for anything because of some scholarships. </p>
<p>I plan on going the pre-med route and I know doing your undergrad at UW has no bearing on their med school.</p>
<p>So--in this economic climate, would it be more practical to go to college pretty much free, or should I go where I want to go??</p>
<p>Why would you rather go to UW? Closer to home? A lot more to do in Seattle than Pullman? I do know a kid, a great student, who did choose a full-ride WSU scholarship over many other prestigous schools with the idea that he would end up at the top, or near the very top, of the pre-med class at WSU, possibly making it easier to get into UW Medical since class rank is so important.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider when making your decision is what might your alternate majors be and which school is stronger in those alternate majors? I’m sure you know that many, many kids start out in pre-med and end up switching, either because they find that medicine doesn’t interest them or they get weeded out. So, I guess you also need to consider how committed you are to the pre-med program and getting through it no matter what. If you do make it, it would be awfully nice to head into med school with no debt.</p>
<p>I’m actually looking into the Bioengineering program at UW. And Seattle is more my place than Pullman. I think I also like UW more because it’s considered more prestigious than WSU as far as rankings go (which I know is a bad reason)</p>
<p>That’s sort of what I was thinking too–grad school is a lot more important than undergrad.</p>
<p>So, you think it would be more practical to choose WSU now? I’m having a hard time making a decision because everyone I talk to is pretty biased because they go to/attended either one or the other</p>
<p>Yes, without a doubt, everyone in this state would have an opinion about UW or WSU and which you should attend! </p>
<p>How is bioengineering at WSU vs UW? It would definitely be more practical on the surface to go to WSU, and you sound like a really good kid, not wanting your parents to have to extend themselves to send you to UW. But, if UW’s program is vastly superior and could lead to greater opportunities and internships and contacts in the field, then it might be worth the expense in the long run. You could also help pay those expenses by working really hard during the summer and applying for scholarships and such during your time at UW.</p>
<p>And, coming clean here, my own kid has a full tuition scholarship to WSU and is still probably going to go to UW because UW’s program in his major of choice is superior, so we aren’t doing what is technically the most practical either.</p>
<p>Definately go to the place you WANT to go. Because honestly if you really truly want to go there you’ll likely be genuinely motivated to work your butt off to get any kind of scholarship and money to pay. It will feel good to go to the place your heart and mind is more set on. (check out Fastweb.com for tons of scholarships that are fit just for you!!!)</p>
<p>It’s very understandable your financial concerns, so definately keep discussing with your parents about if going to UW will be a large financial burden for them. Maybe it’s manageable for them? </p>
<p>You don’t want any regrets in college to ruin your experiences!!!</p>
<p>UW may be more prestigious in general, but I am not so sure it has a biology/pre-med program that can top WSU’s. WSU is HEAVILY invested in biology.</p>
<p>Frankly, I think it makes more sense to go to the free school (WSU.) Especially as you will also have to somehow finance medical school! It’s easy to say, “Go to the one you like more! Don’t ruin your college experience!” But college only lasts four years; you have the rest of your life to watch huge swaths of your income disappear towards college debt. To not be able to afford the car, the home, or the vacation you wanted.</p>
<p>It’s college. You’ll have fun wherever you go. Go to the one that doesn’t take a pile of money.</p>