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<p>I’m sure you must realize that the financial aid award is based on your parent’s income and assets, so when you say you intend to pay for all of it yourself, you are committing yourself to paying back loans for many years to come–unless you take the advice of several of us and keep some merit schools in mind. </p>
<p>You seem intent on leaving school early. That is fine; I think it means you will be at Lehigh, which is also fine. Do a very good job there, and you should be able to get into a combined MD/Phd program, which is far easier to pay for than just an MD (usually).</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>