I am deciding between TCNJ/UMDNJ (seven-year program) and Rice undergrad, not Rice/Baylor. I know I want to be a doctor someday and I would prefer not to take more than 8 years to complete undergrad and med school.
TCNJ will cost about $17,000 per year for three years. Rice will cost about $23,500 per year for four years since I was awarded their top scholarship. I think I like Rice better in terms of undergrad experience but TCNJ is okay too. Both campuses suit me pretty well and I think I will meet intelligent students and faculty at both. At TCNJ I would be more relaxed since I would not have to apply all over again for med school.
I am willing to study for the MCAT and work hard in college, but I'm not sure if Rice undergrad is worth the hassle and additional cost. I might not be accepted to UMDNJ even if I do well at Rice. Plus, I have not had much luck with multiple degree programs (accepted to 2 out of 17; waitlisted at one; not interviewed at most), Ivies (accepted to 1/3), or top-20 schools (Rice is the only one offering any scholarships besides NMF money). I think my essays, recs, and interviews were fine, so my extracurriculars must not have been enough.
Background: I did not have the best or the most medically-related extracurriculars in HS, and know that I should do more in college no matter where I go. I have good stats (4.0 GPA, rank 1/500+, 2400 SAT) in a decent public school with a very heavy workload.
I would prefer not to pay $65,000+ for a private medical school unless the school is far "better" than UMDNJ (I don't think many are). I do not want to incur too much debt. Unfortunately, I do not qualify for need-based aid and think it would be a major stretch to spend $400,000+ for eight years of undergrad and medical education. I know merit aid is almost nonexistent in med school.
Other idea: Should I go to Rutgers for free or go to UMiami with a full-tuition scholarship, without any med school guarantee, instead of choosing one of these two options? How good are Rutgers and UMiami as premed schools?
Comments are greatly appreciated!
TCNJ will cost about $17,000 per year for three years. Rice will cost about $23,500 per year for four years since I was awarded their top scholarship. I think I like Rice better in terms of undergrad experience but TCNJ is okay too. Both campuses suit me pretty well and I think I will meet intelligent students and faculty at both. At TCNJ I would be more relaxed since I would not have to apply all over again for med school.
I am willing to study for the MCAT and work hard in college, but I'm not sure if Rice undergrad is worth the hassle and additional cost. I might not be accepted to UMDNJ even if I do well at Rice. Plus, I have not had much luck with multiple degree programs (accepted to 2 out of 17; waitlisted at one; not interviewed at most), Ivies (accepted to 1/3), or top-20 schools (Rice is the only one offering any scholarships besides NMF money). I think my essays, recs, and interviews were fine, so my extracurriculars must not have been enough.
Background: I did not have the best or the most medically-related extracurriculars in HS, and know that I should do more in college no matter where I go. I have good stats (4.0 GPA, rank 1/500+, 2400 SAT) in a decent public school with a very heavy workload.
I would prefer not to pay $65,000+ for a private medical school unless the school is far "better" than UMDNJ (I don't think many are). I do not want to incur too much debt. Unfortunately, I do not qualify for need-based aid and think it would be a major stretch to spend $400,000+ for eight years of undergrad and medical education. I know merit aid is almost nonexistent in med school.
Other idea: Should I go to Rutgers for free or go to UMiami with a full-tuition scholarship, without any med school guarantee, instead of choosing one of these two options? How good are Rutgers and UMiami as premed schools?
Comments are greatly appreciated!
