<p>Hi! Only four days left and I still have big decisions to make. I'm deciding between Wash U and Denison, which is only two hours away from me. My main problem is money, but I'm planning to become a doctor. I don't want to use up my parents' savings too quickly. I've already gotten all the aid out of Wash U that it's willing to offer to me, but I got a full-tuition scholarship plus a research stipend from Denison. On one hand, I feel like if I'm really meant to go far in life, it shouldn't matter where I go because I'll make it happen for myself. On the other hand, Wash U has its own medical school, I could get recommendations from actual doctors, and I could conduct research in medical neurology, whereas I don't think I'll have quite that good of access at Denison. But Denison does have a really good scholarship/research program, which I could especially use for summers in big-city hospitals, etc.
Is it worth the debt to go to Wash U (which I would choose if money was not a factor)? I've visited both schools more than once and have stayed overnight, and although I like both, Wash U feels more like home.</p>
<p>The real question is: how much in loans will you be taking out for WashU?</p>
<p>Beyond a certain point, it would be silly to pass up the $$ from Denison if you do actually wind up in med school 'cause that alone will be a huge amount in loans. If you pick Denison, will your parents be able to help with med school? That’s a MAJOR factor to consider.</p>
<p>I’m a big proponent of WashU on these boards, but I’ve got to say that if you like both, and can see yourself happy at both, Denison may be your best bet if money really is a factor. But again, you should probably clarify they amount you’ll be paying for WashU - 5k a year vs 30k, for instance, will have me responding very differently.</p>
<p>Hard decision to make- BTW what would the yearly difference between Denison and WUSTL be? Taking on large amounts of debt for medical school is not advisable, especially with the direction medicine is headed in (as a physician, our incomes keep dropping and expenses and bureaucracy keep increasing). Unless you know for sure that you want to go into a higher paying specialty (and there are no guarantees that this will happen) I would try to avoid debt.</p>
<p>I would be paying 30k a year for Wash U vs. 14k for Denison. I was looking into neurosurgery, but obviously that’s a huge commitment, although either way I will be paying back my dues for a long time.</p>
<p>All advice I’ve gotten has gone both ways. Most of the time, people who are familiar with both schools tell me to go to Wash U.</p>
<p>So about $64000 difference- it’s still a lot of money. I think you really have to ask yourself where you fit in the best. If you think things are pretty equal, then Denison may be better. You obviously should know how well WUSTL does with med school acceptance rates. If not, look at Appendix A at this website:
<a href=“http://prehealth.wustl.edu/Documents/HANDBOOK.pdf[/url]”>http://prehealth.wustl.edu/Documents/HANDBOOK.pdf</a>.</p>
<p>If you want to know Denisons stats I’d see if you could get similar info. Good luck.</p>
<p>Ask your parents. How do they feel about paying? More importantly, how much can they afford? On your own, you can get roughly $30K loan in all four years. Beyond that, they need to cosign for you. And they need to have good credit to do that. Now, if you’re thinking about med school, the best option for any student is their state medical schools. If not, you’re looking almost $300K price tag when you attend medical school. People have different level of debt tolerance. It’s personal and hard for anyone here to tell you. But my feeling is no undergrad school in the world worth $120K debt.</p>
<p>My parents are willing to pay if I do decide to attend WashU, although they could probably help more with medical school if I attend Denison.</p>
<p>@PsychoDad10
Do you find that it makes a big impact whether physicians attended a liberal arts college or a research I institution? WashU has a med school acceptance rate of 72% while Denison’s is approximately 50%. In my point of view, I want a school that pushes me, and that “#1 Premed Institution” next to WashU’s name is pretty attractive.</p>
<p>Snflwr</p>
<p>No, I don’t think it makes a vast difference, other than the fact that some schools (like WUSTL) will have very high acceptance rates based on their reputation. I know many people who went to traditional LAC and got into med school. What you should look at for Denison is how students do based on their GPA and MCAT- 50% doesn’t shed a whole light on how students do if they have, say, a GPA of 3.6-3.8 and an MCAT in the 30s. Those students may have an acceptance rate in the 80’s, for all I know. I wouldn’t base a decision based on a school quoting 1 number for its acceptance rate to medical school, as the graph on the premed advising’s website for Wash U indicates that there are various acceptance rates based on GPA and MCAT scores.</p>
<p>I feel sheepish to admit that I did decide to go to WashU in the end. I’m hoping to be challenged more, and even if it is all same in the end, I think I will enjoy the chance to be in a new place (from rural to suburban/urban area).</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your input! All the best :)</p>
<p>Snflwr</p>
<p>Congrats- no need to be sheepish. You should be very proud. My son chose WUSTL over Michigan- two very different schools just like Wash U and Denison are. At least you will know that you will have at least one classmate who had a very difficult decision to make!</p>
<p>No need to be sheepish! Only you know your family’s finances and what would be reasonable.</p>
<p>Anyway, welcome to the WashU community!! I’m sure you’ll love it here :)</p>
<p>Congrats. You will enjoy your next four years, except for the occasional lousy weather :)</p>