Worth it?

Hi, the deadline is approaching for me to decide where to go for my undergrad in (most likely) biology/pre-med. Baylor is one of my top options, and thanks to a nice scholarship, one of my cheapest options. The only problem is that I am out of state. Very out of state. I’m not sure the distance is worth it. My other top options, Washington University in St. Louis and Purdue University, are much closer to home but more expensive and don’t fit all of my criteria (small, somewhat conservative). I’m nervous about leaving my family so far away for a college that I don’t know all that much about. Can anyone help me? Do you think it would be worth the 18 hours of driving/ 6 hours of flight? Other than the distance, I really like Baylor. From everything I’ve seen I think that Baylor will leave me with many opportunities in regards to pursuing the medical mission field, but can anyone help me with some input about spiritual life on campus or the pre-med program? I’m also planning on running cross country or track where ever I end up, so if anyone has input on Baylor’s team that would be much appreciated too. Thanks!

Congratulations on receiving such a wonderful scholarship! My daughter is a sophomore at Baylor and she can’t imagine being anywhere else. We are from the Pacific Northwest and it takes my daughter an entire day to travel. She usually flies to Dallas and then takes the Waco Streak into Waco. With facetime and texting we can keep in touch as much as we want. The difficulties in being so far have been short holidays such as Thanksgiving, but with so many Texans she had no shortage of invitation. Also, moving in and out is more expensive if a parent chooses to come and help, and also if you rent a storage unit for the summer. College is a time to learn to be apart from your family, figure out who you are on your own, meet new people and try new things. The distance hasn’t been a problem for us, it just makes things a little more complicated. If Baylor seems like the better fit and distance is your one worry, I think it would be worse to be at a school that wasn’t such a good fit, even if it was closer to home.

The spiritual life is what you make it, but there is a lot available, and it is overall a christian environment. However, you will have all sorts of people around you, there is no statement of faith you have to sign to be accepted. My daughter found a church she loves going to (there are lots of carpools, she doesn’t have a car there), she goes to “Vertical” an on campus ministry, there are bible studies in the dorms, and many other opportunities to choose from. Some take their faith very seriously, and others don’t, but if you do you will not be alone.

My daughter is pre-med (Neuroscience) and went on a medical mission trip to Kenya last summer. She loved it and would go back if she could but there are other great opportunities she is interested in as well so she may not be able to. I’m sorry but I don’t know anything about Track!

If you haven’t visited Baylor I would try to visit before making up your mind, it might help you feel more comfortable. It isn’t tiny, it is probably the about the same size as Washington University. You might enjoy living in the Honors Residential College, like my daughter, which gives you a smaller community. There are also living learning communities with various themes. Living in a smaller community might help you feel at home faster. Good luck deciding!