<p>I'm not so sure on which school to choose...I'm hoping to study psychology and enter medical school. I'm from VA
Dream School
- suburb right outside city
- about 6000 students
- diverse
- students work hard AND play hard
- lots of fun organizations
- strong academics </p>
<p>I've received a Chancellor's Scholarship (full ride) to UPitt
- It's ok, but I like W&M better
- Lots of attention
- Is it like a "state school" in that kids just party... and doesn't work much</p>
<p>I'm a Monroe Scholar at W&M (prestige + research grant)
- Like it lots
- Hesitant about the huge # of kids from my high school & area
- Right size
- I know people work hard + play hard </p>
<p>I guess I'm asking where I should go:
- lesser academic/prestige school, free, lots of attention + opportunities
- good academic/prestige school, $22K, some attention + opportunities, great students</p>
<p>It’s affordable; I’m just worried that I should go to Pitt to be a “big fish”, help my family out, + get lots of research opportunities. Some teachers have been telling me to “follow the money”</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you’re really serious about med school, Pitt’s med school is in the top 15. I’m sure you could find some invaluable research opportunities there.</p>
<p>if you think you’ll enjoy your time more at W&M, I would go to W&M. W&M has excellent med school acceptance rates and good research opportunities as well. There’s no reason to “follow the money” if money isn’t a significant issue.</p>
<p>From your posts, it sounds like you want to go to W&M. If you want to go to W&M and the money is fine… I would go where you want to go.</p>
<p>I would not turn down a Monroe Scholar opportunity. W&M has the best pre-med program in VA. Unless, you just want to live in Pittsburgh, you should not miss this chance of a lifetime. You worked too hard for it.</p>
<p>Certainly sounds like a difficult decision. W&M’s pre-med advising program is incredible and the research opportunities at W&M (not to mention the extra opportunities provided by the Monroe Scholarship) will really give you an edge in the medical school application process. Certainly locations and sizes of the two schools are different and one is likely a better fit for you than the other.</p>
<p>So, really, it sounds like W&M is a better fit for you, but it’s the financial part that makes it difficult?</p>
<p>Can you quantify that $22K? I mean, is that your debt at the end of four years? How supportive will your family be? What about transportation costs; will you have a car at Pitt? Not having a car at W&M can be a drag at times - but can be a significant savings (insurance, gas, parking, maintenance costs.) A lot of W&M kids do summer research, and can get a stipend for that; every little bit helps. </p>
<p>If you’re planning med school, you don’t want to be carrying a huge debt when you graduate ($22K isn’t “huge”, but of course, “none” is better.) The scholarship to Pitt is fantastic, but the prestige of it won’t be worth much if you’re going to be miserable there. It sounds to me like W&M is your strong preference, so if you can attend there, where it sounds you’ll be happiest, <em>and</em> graduate without a lot of debt, or inflicting severe hardship on your family, that sounds better to me. </p>