Accepted into two school...can't decide!

[LoveMyHotDog]

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Hi everyone! So I was lucky enough to be accepted into two schools: Ohio State and Univ. of Minnesota. But now, I can't choose!

I've made my own pros and cons, and they still come out pretty even. I'm OOS for both, so the price difference is roughly around $40K. I'm not sure if that's significant or not, but financials aren't my main concern.

For me, I want to make sure I enjoy my experience with like-minded people. I am a little older than the average vet student (27), so that's kind of a big deal. Also, Minnesota offers hands-on experience early on (potentially a spay/neuter your second year), which really appeals to me. But, Ohio State is closer to home.

HELP!!!😕😕😕

 

[kernel]

Hi everyone! So I was lucky enough to be accepted into two schools: Ohio State and Univ. of Minnesota. But now, I can't choose!

I've made my own pros and cons, and they still come out pretty even. I'm OOS for both, so the price difference is roughly around $40K. I'm not sure if that's significant or not, but financials aren't my main concern.

For me, I want to make sure I enjoy my experience with like-minded people. I am a little older than the average vet student (27), so that's kind of a big deal. Also, Minnesota offers hands-on experience early on (potentially a spay/neuter your second year), which really appeals to me. But, Ohio State is closer to home.

HELP!!!😕😕😕

You might want to take a look at the recent New York Times article on veterinary student debt and job outlook... Frankly, I think you should go for the cheaper school, even if finances aren't your main concern at this time.

 

[hygebeorht]

You might want to take a look at the recent New York Times article on veterinary student debt and job outlook... Frankly, I think you should go for the cheaper school, even if finances aren't your main concern at this time.

I agree...with the caveat that this applies only if you are paying your own way. If a family member is footing the bill, then you are more free.

Make a list, but this time, weight it and calculate a score for each. List the qualities of the school and area that are important to you, then give each a score from 1 (not that important) to 5 (really important) based on how much you care about each quality. For me, tuition cost is a big deal (5) and weather isn't really very important (2).

Then give each school a score for each category. For example, for me CSU OOS tuition would be a 1 (super expensive, do not want) and NCSU OOS tuition would be a 5 (affordable and desireable).

Multiply your scores by the weight score and tally the results. Congrats, the school with the high score is your best choice. Of course, if the scores are very close then you're back to square one. 🙁

 

[MommaFox]

You might want to take a look at the recent New York Times article on veterinary student debt and job outlook... Frankly, I think you should go for the cheaper school, even if finances aren't your main concern at this time.

This. That 40k will matter once you graduate.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[equineconstant]

I'm in roughly the same position...except that it's really hard for me to even compare my two schools because I have so much more information about Mizzou than LSU!

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

If they come out even in all other aspects (as you said they did), I agree that the cheaper would be better. 40k might not seem like much (I guess? Seems like a lot to me...), but after 4+ years of a 6.8% interest rate, it will after you're done. Both St. Paul and Columbus are bigger cities, so you will be able to avoid the college-town phenom that will drive you nuts as a non-trad. Depends on how well you can deal with the cold 😉

 

[dovelover]

You're really beating yourself up over this, aren't you?

Why don't you try not thinking about it for a few days, or a week or so? (Hard to do, I know) Stay off the facebook pages and just let yourself focus on your own opinions, not those of everyone else who has already decided. Just let yourself be content to be undecided for another week and let all the pros and cons sink in. Even though I've pretty much 98% decided on Minnesota, I'm assuming I'm undecided for at least a few more days, just to make sure everything has the chance to sink in. Personally, that $40,000 disparity between OSU and Minnesota weighs more and more on me every day, so I'm in no rush to make my decision official at this point. You still have about 7 weeks to officially decide.

 

[LoveMyHotDog]

You're really beating yourself up over this, aren't you?

Why don't you try not thinking about it for a few days, or a week or so? (Hard to do, I know) Stay off the facebook pages and just let yourself focus on your own opinions, not those of everyone else who has already decided. Just let yourself be content to be undecided for another week and let all the pros and cons sink in. Even though I've pretty much 98% decided on Minnesota, I'm assuming I'm undecided for at least a few more days, just to make sure everything has the chance to sink in. Personally, that $40,000 disparity between OSU and Minnesota weighs more and more on me every day, so I'm in no rush to make my decision official at this point. You still have about 7 weeks to officially decide.

Hahaha Dovelover...you have NO idea. I've had sleepless nights over this decision. I guess I could give it a week, but I'm one of those "deal with the problem immediately and pound it out until I have a solution." I must have driven my ex-boyfriends crazy haha.

I'm just trying to gather up as much info as I can on both schools (reviews/opinions from current students included) and make an educated decision. I also don't want to wait until the last minute to figure it all out, especially since I have a lot going on at the end of March.

 

[hygebeorht]

Hahaha Dovelover...you have NO idea. I've had sleepless nights over this decision. I guess I could give it a week, but I'm one of those "deal with the problem immediately and pound it out until I have a solution." I must have driven my ex-boyfriends crazy haha.

I'm just trying to gather up as much info as I can on both schools (reviews/opinions from current students included) and make an educated decision. I also don't want to wait until the last minute to figure it all out, especially since I have a lot going on at the end of March.

Time will help you cook it down and sort it out. I was struggling really badly with a decision a month ago, and now I'm beginning to have more clarity. It's okay to sit with indecision while you wait for the sediment to settle a bit.

 

[485501]

A few people have mentioned this already, but don't just consider the schools, consider the city and the surounding area. If the schools really are coming out even to you, think about anything that could tip the scales, even things that seem insignificant now. Weather, recreation areas nearby, restaurants, your favorite clothing store/gym/grocery store/pizza chain, movie theatres, museums, availability of summer jobs/volunteer positions, breed-specific dog bans (could be really important to you!), batting cages, mini golf, the bar scene, street festivals... I mean, you'll be living there for a very stressfull four years, so if there's anything you do/eat/watch to feel better, see if that will be available.

An example: there was no good Thai or Mexican food where I went to undergrad. There were a several days when I thought "I would feel better if I could just have some tom kha gai!" It wasn't important enough to make me not like the school, but if there had been an extremely similar school somewhere with good Thai and Mexican food, I might have gone there instead.

 

[kernel]

.
An example: there was no good Thai or Mexican food where I went to undergrad. There were a several days when I thought "I would feel better if I could just have some tom kha gai!" It wasn't important enough to make me not like the school, but if there had been an extremely similar school somewhere with good Thai and Mexican food, I might have gone there instead.

This. So much. I can't even begin to tell you how big of a difference simple comforts can make. I miss good ethnic food. Montanans don't know squat about Thai, Indian or Mexican 🙁

I won't even start about my sushi cravings.....

 

[orcagirl]

Being close to home might also be a factor if you are close to your family. I know I hate being so far away from mine. Lately, I keep talking with my husband about where we're going to move in the next four years. I can't wait to be close to family again.

 

[sidvicious]

I agree...with the caveat that this applies only if you are paying your own way. If a family member is footing the bill, then you are more free.

Make a list, but this time, weight it and calculate a score for each. List the qualities of the school and area that are important to you, then give each a score from 1 (not that important) to 5 (really important) based on how much you care about each quality. For me, tuition cost is a big deal (5) and weather isn't really very important (2).

Then give each school a score for each category. For example, for me CSU OOS tuition would be a 1 (super expensive, do not want) and NCSU OOS tuition would be a 5 (affordable and desireable).

Multiply your scores by the weight score and tally the results. Congrats, the school with the high score is your best choice. Of course, if the scores are very close then you're back to square one. 🙁

Wow hygeborht, I made an eerily similar excel sheet... categories, different weights, and all! Even though one school came out 20 out of 100 points higher than the other three for my own personal 'factors', I still don't feel comfortable making a decision yet.. (I think because I'm at Cornell undergrad and kind of itching for a change in scenery)... I am hoping a few more weeks of contemplation will help me. Eek. Such a big decision. Great suggestion though, to make a spreadsheet!

 

[IlDestriero]

This. That 40k will matter once you graduate.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

$40k now is $80k when you pay it back.
$80k invested over time vs paid to the bank's executives and share holders should be well over $300k when you retire.
Still think $40k difference isn't much?

 

[TheJabberwock]

I have now been accepted to 3 schools where I would be considered OOS and I still have another interview where I would be IS. Looking at the financial outlook is making me sick to my stomach even more so because I like each school for totally different reasons. I too have made a pro/con list, but it has also nearly balanced out in the end.

 

[dovelover]

$40k now is $80k when you pay it back.
$80k invested over time vs paid to the bank's executives and share holders should be well over $300k when you retire.
Still think $40k difference isn't much?

I'd like to point out that once your loans go that high, chances are that unless you're lucky enough to be both married to someone who is financially stable and making an average salary (and don't take time to do a slave labor wage internship/residency), it's actually physically impossible for you to pay back your loan in its entirety regardless of that $40,000 difference. So the only way that difference comes into play is in the amount of taxes you'll end up owing on the amount of your loan that is forgiven at the end of 25 or 20 years, depending on if you're stuck on income based repayment or pay as you earn, which you will be unless you're married or pick a really high paying career track and are lucky enough to get a job in said area. From what I've been able to very roughly guesstimate the difference in amount you will ultimately end up paying in this circumstance is about the same or less than the actual original difference in tuition.

 

[Filly Bay]

So...any progress on your decision? I saw all your excited posts on the OSU facebook group! I'd love to have more SDNers as future classmates, but definitely make the decision that's best for you!

 

[bbeventer]

Choose whichever is cheaper. Last I checked Minnesota OOS is outrageously priced. Secondly, 27 is not old for vet school, you will not feel out of place!

 

[LoveMyHotDog]

So...any progress on your decision? I saw all your excited posts on the OSU facebook group! I'd love to have more SDNers as future classmates, but definitely make the decision that's best for you!

Hi Stb! I guess you've uncovered my 'secret' identity! 😉

I am 95% sure I'll be joining you as a buckeye this August. Feel free to friend me on Facebook! I'd reach out to you, but you're a little bit better than I am at remaining anonymous.

 

[gimmeshelter]

Reviving a month-old thread here, but I have a question for those of you who made the Minnesota vs. Ohio State decision. A $40K tuition difference is being discussed here, and that's not what I'm getting no matter how many ways I try to calculate it. (My difference is closer to $75-80K, so I feel like I must be missing something.) How are you coming up with $40K?

(And congrats to those of you who have already made this decision! I'm still seriously struggling with it, obviously ...)

 

[Filly Bay]

Hi Stb! I guess you've uncovered my 'secret' identity! 😉

I am 95% sure I'll be joining you as a buckeye this August. Feel free to friend me on Facebook! I'd reach out to you, but you're a little bit better than I am at remaining anonymous.

Just saw this post when Gimmeshelter's post bumped the thread!

We became facebook friends before I saw this anyway 🙂

Reviving a month-old thread here, but I have a question for those of you who made the Minnesota vs. Ohio State decision. A $40K tuition difference is being discussed here, and that's not what I'm getting no matter how many ways I try to calculate it. (My difference is closer to $75-80K, so I feel like I must be missing something.) How are you coming up with $40K?

(And congrats to those of you who have already made this decision! I'm still seriously struggling with it, obviously ...)

According to hygebeorht's spreadsheet on the "Estimated Costs of Veterinary School" thread (sticky at the top) the difference for OOS tuition at both schools is $95,044 (Ohio being less than Minnesota). That includes switching to instate at Ohio after the first year and I think it includes estimated tuition increase from year to year. If you don't include switching to instate at Ohio, then Ohio is about $30K more...

Edit: When you factor in estimated living expenses, OSU is $63054 cheaper if you switch to IS after the first year.

 

[gimmeshelter]

Thanks stb. That's at least more along the lines of what I was calculating!

 

[KCgophervet]

Ohio State vs UMN seems to be a pretty common decision for people to have to make! I know absolutely nothing about OSU BUT I do live in Minneapolis and am attending UMN next year.

What I can say is that the Twin Cities area is huge, you can find anything you want here if you're willing to drive to it. Public transportation exists, but is not ideal, though that might get better with the new light rail line coming in next year. Biking is also pretty big here - lots of trails and bike paths, and people use them year-round. Yes, even in the frigid winters. While the metro area is large, there are also tons of lakes and parks, and the UMN St. Paul campus feels like it's in the middle of the boonies even though it's most definitely not. It's right next to the state fairgrounds and a couple neighborhoods as well as a few fields. Weather here is something to seriously consider as well. It is April 9th and we are expecting snow tomorrow. That's right, it's still winter here, and it gets old VERY fast. I've lived in MN my entire life (minus one semester in college I spent in Australia) and long winters (not every year, last year we had 70s in March) can really affect your life and mental well being (it's depressing, at least to me). Also, shoveling snow is a pain and driving in it pretty much sucks. The summers can make up for it, but are usually wicked hot and ridiculously humid (thanks to all these wonderful lakes!). Also, mosquitoes. The spring and fall are usually pretty decent though, and in the summer all the lakes make for great activities (canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, etc).

On the flip side, I do not know if you can get in state status in MN. I actually believe it is fairly difficult if not impossible to do so from what I've heard. And even if you do, the in state tuition is pretty pricey itself (UW Madison's OOS tuition is cheaper than my good old UMN in state tuition... makes me a sad panda sometimes).

Finally, I graduated undergrad with about $40K in student loans. This equates to monthly payments for me ~$500 on the 10 year standard plan. $500/month difference seems pretty large to me, but of course the repayments will be much different with the higher starting debt and all that. And from what I've read on here, $40K seems to be about the minimum cost difference between the two schools.

As much as I love Minnesota and am not questioning my choice of attending the U of MN, had UW-Madison offered me a seat instead of a waitlist number I would be seriously considering attending, even though the difference in debt would only be ~$24K at the end of it all.

Also, I'm 25 and will be 26 when starting school next fall, if it matters 🙂

All in all, I like the idea of making an Excel spreadsheet to weigh the differences. Good luck making your decision!

 

[gimmeshelter]

Thanks, kcoughli! I know I'll get it figured out. Spreadsheets have been made and remade, along with weighted pro-con lists, etc. Complicating things a bit is the fact that I was born and raised in Minnesota, and while I know a lot has changed (including me) in the 10+ years I've been away, I still have much love for the Twin Cities ... snow, mosquitoes, and all. (I'd forgotten about the mosquitoes until you mentioned them though!) OK, back to the numbers ... I think I'm hoping that if I stare at them long enough I can make them look like I want them to look.

 

[KCgophervet]

Thanks, kcoughli! I know I'll get it figured out. Spreadsheets have been made and remade, along with weighted pro-con lists, etc. Complicating things a bit is the fact that I was born and raised in Minnesota, and while I know a lot has changed (including me) in the 10+ years I've been away, I still have much love for the Twin Cities ... snow, mosquitoes, and all. (I'd forgotten about the mosquitoes until you mentioned them though!) OK, back to the numbers ... I think I'm hoping that if I stare at them long enough I can make them look like I want them to look.

Oh? And how do you want them to look? Almost sounds like you have a favorite in mind but just can't rationally justify it to yourself. If that's the case, go with your gut (all else being equal)!

If not, you can always just flip a coin. I've heard that if you do, you may realize which one you want while the coin is in the air 🙂