Cheap school vs. the "right" school

[216397]

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Do you guys feel pressured to pick the cheapest school you're accepted to because of your parents or your financial situation, even though you would rather go somewhere else?

 

[lol.psych]

I'm not having this problem yet, cause I haven't even gone to any interviews, much less received acceptances. Thankfully my top choices are in TX, which is cheap as hell 😀

 

[Bacchus]

OP, wait until April comes around. You'll see a ton of should I go to X school or Y school (which also threw me $20,000 a year) if Y is going to be $80,000 cheaper. Its split.

 

[DH78]

You have to remember that while you may incur a huge amount of debt due to med school, you're obviously going to make it back. I would think that if you get into your dream school, and you get get it financed, you should go for it. Don't just pick the cheapest: pick where you will be happiest.

This is a conundrum I hope to experience myself!

 

[radi0headfan]

you'll probably have regrets either way.. but i bet not going to your dream school will be the bigger regret in comparison to not going to the cheaper school.. if parents are paying for it, maybe they can still put down the money they were originally going to pay for the cheaper school, and then let you cover the rest of the cost

 

[mdgator]

I picked FSU largely b/c of finances. As a student who has been in med school for all of 9 weeks (FSU starts early), here are my thoughts:

Most of us will spend 10-15 hours a day, 5-7 days per week, either studying or in class. (This has been my experience thus far.) You're not going to have a ton of time to spend out on the town, or in museums, or at Broadway shows, etc. It seems to me that picking a med school because it is in a "more exciting" city is generally a bad idea.

I also feel that choosing a school based on reputation is a bad idea. (I know many will disagree.) But, plain and simple, the evidence shows that where you go to school has little to no impact on what residency/specialty you enter. Be in the middle/top third of your class, do well on USMLE, become clinically adept, and interview well, and you will do well in the match, no matter what school you go to.

A slightly better reason to choose a school is based on how well it fits your personality type and learning style, but even this has its pitfalls. For one, it's really difficult to get a good feel for what it will be like attending a certain school just based on an interview experience and reading the school's website.

For me, huge factors are location (Is one school closer to family/friends/a spouse's job?; Is one school in a very cold climate, if you are from Florida?; Is one school in a city/state where you know you would like to eventually practice?), and money. If you are choosing between a school that will cost you $20K/year, and one that will run you $50K/year, you need to give some serious thought to how that will impact your financial situation for many, many years to come.

Just my opinion.

 

[QuaerensIntelle]

I've been thinking about this also, particularly given the UCF free ride + living expenses thing. I do think the name of a school can matter, particularly if you want to do something political with your career. Also, fields where you are chosen electively it might matter, like plastic surgery. Patients don't know that your residency is what defines you as a physician, and they also don't know that University of Washington is one of the best schools in the nation...the recognize names like Yale and Harvard. Unfortunately, this is the way the world works (not to say that you can't do great going somewhere that is noname -my bro graduated from USF COM and is a neurosurgeon in one of the top ranked hospitals in the country so *shrug.* All depends what you want to do and how much you care about prestige.

 

[Nooblet]

but the cheap school IS the right school.

 

[enjoydrywax]

The only factors for me are location and cost - honestly med school is med school and your time spent afterwards really determines what you do with your degree.

 

[brsboarder]

You'll see many people who will instantly go with saying you'd be crazy to go to a more expensive school. Possibly the same people who say the same thing about undergrad. Its going to be a personal decision. Many med students at top schools will advise you to go to a better school and that it will make at least some difference. Its going to be a personal decision, and your just going to have a gut feeling. For me, I chose the school that was about 50-60k more, and I haven't looked back on that decision.

 

[sshashid87]

I think the debt is going to be massive no matter where you go...Obviously if you get into a state school with a scholarship and you pay next to nothing, just go for it and do well on the boards...if you get into a state school and private school, for me it would be a matter of where i want to be for 4 yrs, and where i think clinical rotations would be better...my decision is pretty easy i think...

1) Tufts...I get in, I'm going...passed on undergrad b/c I wanted to save the $250,000 overall cost and got massive scholarship from state school...

2) Any of my state schools...

3) Any private schools...

Simplified as much as possible there...so yeaaaa...good luck with your decisions...

 

[psipsina]

I chose the "cheap school" and don't regret it. Quite frankly you don't have enough free time to really notice some of the things that seem uber important to you as a pre-matriculant. No matter where you are you are likely to be reading the same board review books sitting in a library or a study room for most of your first two years learning exactly the same material. There are a few things that I would prioritize over cost, I would pay more to avoid PBL, if there were personal family ties to a particular region/location, or if one school had vastly superior clinical experience. Beyond that I don't think it really will make that big of a difference wherever you end up. All US allo schools are certified by the same people and they are all preparing you for the same USMLE exam. You'll make great friends wherever you are, you'll study till your eyes bleed, you'll get to do some awesome stuff in the clinicals along with some horrid hours and mindless scut, etc.

 

[banana5]

I don't have this problem yet, but it's hard not to think about it at least a little. Here are my thoughts:

1) I imagine that most people, if not nearly everyone, in a "top" (re: more expensive private) school could have gone to their state school and saved a lot of money. But they didn't. Take that for what it's worth.

2) I think the best, but probably most ambiguous, advice is to go where you think you'd be happiest. I remember when I was looking at colleges there were places that really rubbed me the wrong way and places that I liked a lot. More often than not I couldn't tell you what made me feel one way about a school or another. Sure there was location, size, etc., but in the end it's just a subjective feeling that I got. I'm hoping that it'll be the same with med school.

And in the end, if my state school and a more expensive school both look appealing, and I'm fortunate enough to have been accepted to both, I'll probably pick the cheaper one.

 

[Gut Shot]

I chose the "cheap school" and don't regret it. Quite frankly you don't have enough free time to really notice some of the things that seem uber important to you as a pre-matriculant. No matter where you are you are likely to be reading the same board review books sitting in a library or a study room for most of your first two years learning exactly the same material. There are a few things that I would prioritize over cost, I would pay more to avoid PBL, if there were personal family ties to a particular region/location, or if one school had vastly superior clinical experience. Beyond that I don't think it really will make that big of a difference wherever you end up. All US allo schools are certified by the same people and they are all preparing you for the same USMLE exam. You'll make great friends wherever you are, you'll study till your eyes bleed, you'll get to do some awesome stuff in the clinicals along with some horrid hours and mindless scut, etc.

QFT. 👍

 

[sirus_virus]

Cheap...

 

[Katatonic]

As has already been said, location and cost are my only criteria. I'd go with the cheaper one either way, barring certain situations.

 

[CCLCMer]

You have to remember that while you may incur a huge amount of debt due to med school, you're obviously going to make it back. I would think that if you get into your dream school, and you get get it financed, you should go for it. Don't just pick the cheapest: pick where you will be happiest.

This it the typical pre-med answer and I am totally not knocking you for it. I think a lot of people feel the same way while they're applying. It's impossible for most people to fathom what it feels like to get a $43,000 tuition bill several years in a row and know that it's continually accruing interest all throughout your training. But after being in med school for a while (and especially after they get out!), many people start to think differently. When you are an MD or DO, do you plan to continue living like you would as a medical student? Probably you will want a nice house, a nice car. Maybe you will want to get married and have children. You will want to buy things for your family and take nice vacations. These things are expensive. Yes, doctors make good money, but you cannot spend your money on the things you want when you have to send a huge chunk of your salary to Uncle Sam and Sallie Mae. This is why just about every med student and doctor you meet will bemoan the debt they are in and tell you to go to the cheapest place. Being in six figure debt hurts more in the long run than many pre-meds can imagine. If you can do something to avoid it, you should unless attending the cheaper school will be totally intolerable to you.

A few months ago, CCLCM announced that all students will be getting free tuition. The first years who just started last month will never pay a cent in tuition, and my class will end up paying for only one year of tuition instead of four. A gift of this magnitude is just mind-boggling and I will be incredibly grateful for it for the rest of my life.

 

[beachblonde]

A few months ago, CCLCM announced that all students will be getting free tuition. The first years who just started last month will never pay a cent in tuition, and my class will end up paying for only one year of tuition instead of four. A gift of this magnitude is just mind-boggling and I will be incredibly grateful for it for the rest of my life.

Holy crapola, I hadn't heard about that! That's beyond awesome. Congrats.

OP, I had the same struggle when picking an undergrad school: more expensive versus not so expensive (it wasn't so much a public versus private thing). I picked the less expensive school, and to this day I'm glad I did because I wasn't such a financial burden on my parents and I graduated debt-free. I think CCLCMer makes a good point about yes, you can pay off the extra debt, but do you really want to? Down the road, do you want a family and house and car, and do you really want debt hanging over your head then? All things to think about.

 

[swim2006]

I had to make this decision on Monday. I was all set on one school and my state school called me up. While a last min call is different than having to make the decision before 5/15, I definitely had a hard time because the cost difference between schools was huge. In the end I choose the more expensive school (never did I dream I would do that) and when I woke up the next morning I did not regret the decision. (I am not going to an Ivy) That being said I have yet to start school. and I suppose I may think differently once I do but I am happy at the moment.

 

[Gut Shot]

I had to make this decision on Monday. I was all set on one school and my state school called me up. While a last min call is different than having to make the decision before 5/15, I definitely had a hard time because the cost difference between schools was huge. In the end I choose the more expensive school (never did I dream I would do that) and when I woke up the next morning I did not regret the decision. (I am not going to an Ivy) That being said I have yet to start school. and I suppose I may think differently once I do but I am happy at the moment.

Enjoy it. When the 45 month party is over, the 30 year hangover will begin.

 

[CCLCMer]

Holy crapola, I hadn't heard about that! That's beyond awesome. Congrats.

They just announced it in May. Starting with the current first years, CCLCM students will attend tuition-free for all five years. (They're covering the continuation fee for our research year as well.) Those of us who were already here get free tuition from now on, plus half of our tuition money back from previous years. (That's why my class only ends up paying for one year instead of two.) Here's a link to the article from the CCLCM website if you're interested: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/cclcm/docs/announcement_tuition.pdf

 

[Nooblet]

I had to make this decision on Monday. I was all set on one school and my state school called me up. While a last min call is different than having to make the decision before 5/15, I definitely had a hard time because the cost difference between schools was huge. In the end I choose the more expensive school (never did I dream I would do that) and when I woke up the next morning I did not regret the decision. (I am not going to an Ivy) That being said I have yet to start school. and I suppose I may think differently once I do but I am happy at the moment.

I think it is a little premature to say you don't regret the decision - the point of regret or not probably comes when you are faced with paying the money back

 

[216397]

I picked FSU largely b/c of finances. As a student who has been in med school for all of 9 weeks (FSU starts early), here are my thoughts:

Most of us will spend 10-15 hours a day, 5-7 days per week, either studying or in class. (This has been my experience thus far.) You're not going to have a ton of time to spend out on the town, or in museums, or at Broadway shows, etc. It seems to me that picking a med school because it is in a "more exciting" city is generally a bad idea.

I also feel that choosing a school based on reputation is a bad idea. (I know many will disagree.) But, plain and simple, the evidence shows that where you go to school has little to no impact on what residency/specialty you enter. Be in the middle/top third of your class, do well on USMLE, become clinically adept, and interview well, and you will do well in the match, no matter what school you go to.

A slightly better reason to choose a school is based on how well it fits your personality type and learning style, but even this has its pitfalls. For one, it's really difficult to get a good feel for what it will be like attending a certain school just based on an interview experience and reading the school's website.

For me, huge factors are location (Is one school closer to family/friends/a spouse's job?; Is one school in a very cold climate, if you are from Florida?; Is one school in a city/state where you know you would like to eventually practice?), and money. If you are choosing between a school that will cost you $20K/year, and one that will run you $50K/year, you need to give some serious thought to how that will impact your financial situation for many, many years to come.

Just my opinion.

This is really helpful advice. I really appreciate what you've said here--it makes a lot of sense, and I never thought of it myself.

 

[216397]

They just announced it in May. Starting with the current first years, CCLCM students will attend tuition-free for all five years. (They're covering the continuation fee for our research year as well.) Those of us who were already here get free tuition from now on, plus half of our tuition money back from previous years. (That's why my class only ends up paying for one year instead of two.) Here's a link to the article from the CCLCM website if you're interested: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/cclcm/docs/announcement_tuition.pdf

My dad told me about this! Needless to say, I applied to Cleveland this year. 🙂 How do you like it there?

I bet the free tuition is going to make it absurdly hard to get into this year, though.

 

[Phoenix.]

Here's my experience: I'm a non-trad and had a career and made a great living before, and for the year I was applying I didn't think I'd take cost into consideration at all in choosing where to go to medical school. I guess my perspective was that I'll pay it off eventually anyway, and that it's medical school - whatever it costs it's my dream and worth it wherever I feel would be the best place for me.

However, once I was accepted to a few places and started to get the financial aid letters showing just how much it would cost per year, my perspective really started to change. When you see the numbers in black and white, with your name on the top of that bill, you'll most likely start to panic a little. I realized that my cost of living, which I thought I'd down-sized appropriately for medical school, was still too high. And with the lending market as it is, private educational loans are few and far between, and likely won't let you borrow much even with great credit if there's any difference in what the medical school says you should be living on vs. your actual expenses.

Then there's the period when you've learned all about the financial aid/lending options, and you get some time to process the information. Eventually you stop panicking, and figure that other people do it, so you should be able to too. You may have $250,000 in debt in your future, but so will others, and it's supposedly doable. You start to relax, and may find yourself feeling that again, cost shouldn't be the primary focus (although now you're thinking that it definitely needs to have some part in the decision-making process).

From June when I applied to about February, I felt cost shouldn't matter all that much. Once I started to get financial aid packages in March-April, I started to lose sleep. However, come mid-May, I started to feel that finding the best fit and the best opportunities for my background were the most important factors, and withdrew from my cheaper state school (which also offered a modest scholarship), to go to a private school that was a much better fit. After I made that decision, I ended up ultimately withdrawing from that school to go to an even more expensive school because of some opportunities I felt would be perfect for me there. And for better or worse, I did this even after hearing some recent graduates of the more expensive school saying how they'd really love to be a primary care doc or pediatrician, but were going into radiology because they felt they needed a higher paying specialty to help pay off their debt. I was horrified to hear that this is actually happening, and hoped that I wouldn't be in that position as well in four years.

I don't know if I would have eventually regretted the decision to go to the most expensive school, because although I was all set to be in debt to the tune of $250,000-$300,000, my dream school called. I'm unbelievably fortunate in that it's really cheap, and even more fortunate that I got a large scholarship too. While they haven't gone so far as to declare the school tuition-free like CCLCM, my dream school, Mayo, offers everyone in the class large scholarships for the exact reason that I cited above: they don't want students picking a specialty because they feel they have to to pay off a mountain of debt.

I guess the point of my post is that it's hard to really know what you'd do until you have more than one acceptance in hand and are looking at the bottom line. It's also hard to know what your decision will be until you've really had time to really process the numbers. And while in the end we'll all have different criteria that will drive our decisions, it's impossible to completely discount the cost. If you think it won't matter now, just wait until later this year. And if you're one of the few that has someone else paying the bill (whether parents or a scholarship), thank your lucky stars.

 

[216397]

you'll probably have regrets either way.. but i bet not going to your dream school will be the bigger regret in comparison to not going to the cheaper school.. if parents are paying for it, maybe they can still put down the money they were originally going to pay for the cheaper school, and then let you cover the rest of the cost

That's exactly what my parents have agreed to do. 🙂 I would still be in a TON of debt if I went to some places, though.

 

[njbmd]

Do you guys feel pressured to pick the cheapest school you're accepted to because of your parents or your financial situation, even though you would rather go somewhere else?

If you have a choice, attend the school where you feel you can do your best work. Your performance in medical school is going to influence where (and in what specialty) you will do residency. If you choose a cheaper school and you are miserable, you won't do excellent work.

If you are accepted, the financial aid office will make sure that you have enough funds to cover your attendance at said school. You may end up borrowing more money but in the end, your best chance of paying off your loans will come if you are doing what you love. If you do well in medical school, you end up with the best chance of doing what you love.

 

[swim2006]

I had to make this decision on Monday. I was all set on one school and my state school called me up. While a last min call is different than having to make the decision before 5/15, I definitely had a hard time because the cost difference between schools was huge. In the end I choose the more expensive school (never did I dream I would do that) and when I woke up the next morning I did not regret the decision. (I am not going to an Ivy) That being said I have yet to start school. and I suppose I may think differently once I do but I am happy at the moment.

I think it is a little premature to say you don't regret the decision - the point of regret or not probably comes when you are faced with paying the money back

Hence why I said I may think differently later. In terms of regretting the decision, when I woke up in the morning it didn't feel as though I had made a mistake. Also the circumstances around when I received the state school acceptance was not noted above--I was called 7/28 and orientation started 7/31 and classes 8/4, and I lived on the other side of the country. Additionally, it was a school I did not feel comfortable with various issues that had been occurring at that school.

As Phoenix said it largely became a decision on whether I felt I fit better at one school or the other. Nooblet once you interview at schools this "fit" and comfort may make more sense. Yes it is only 4 years of school but I believe that I will do better with school if I am in a place that I feel more comfortable and enjoy. It is easy to say that you can go anywhere from any school as long as you are in the top 5% but each time you advance to another educational level to be top becomes more difficult. So I want to go to the school that I think can set me up for the best possible future.

 

[Law2Doc]

If you have a choice, attend the school where you feel you can do your best work. Your performance in medical school is going to influence where (and in what specialty) you will do residency. If you choose a cheaper school and you are miserable, you won't do excellent work.

If you are accepted, the financial aid office will make sure that you have enough funds to cover your attendance at said school. You may end up borrowing more money but in the end, your best chance of paying off your loans will come if you are doing what you love. If you do well in medical school, you end up with the best chance of doing what you love.

Strongly agree. Go where you will be happiest and will thrive. Because a happy student tends to be a successful student. Bear in mind that happy in med school has a very different meaning than undergrad, because your time will be a scarce commodity. so I probably wouldn't focus on which schools had the most pubs or the best sports teams as much as I would the infrastructure and the vibe. But if you do well in med school you will end up where you want to be. Which in the long run is more important than the few grand a month you might be paying for a high tuition school. The truth of the matter is that as many people end up happiest at the cheaper schools as the more expensive one. So go with the vibe and basically put cost lower on your list of concerns.

 

[TheRealMD]

Until you are actually accepted to two schools that each meet one requirement of being cheap or "right", it's not worth thinking about, simply because the "right" school for you now can easily become the wrong school for you by the time your interviews are over.

 

[mdgator]

Until you are actually accepted to two schools that each meet one requirement of being cheap or "right", it's not worth thinking about, simply because the "right" school for you now can easily become the wrong school for you by the time your interviews are over.

Very true. One of the lowest schools on my list became one of the highest after the interview, and one of the highest definitely moved down several spots.

 

[Burnz]

some schools are cheap but the level of education is high. try to look for cheap school but has a high standard of education. also, it's not the school, if you really want to learn it's up to you. even on your own you can learn a lot of things if you really want to learn.🙂

 

[radi0headfan]

Until you are actually accepted to two schools that each meet one requirement of being cheap or "right", it's not worth thinking about, simply because the "right" school for you now can easily become the wrong school for you by the time your interviews are over.

word

 

[45408]

I picked the right school over the cheap school. The difference wasn't monumental - $20K/year versus $30K/year, but I think it was the right call. My wife and I both like being near our families, and I didn't like the M3/M4 rotation arrangement at the cheaper school (16 weeks of away rotations - one week away from my wife last month was miserable). I also had a better feeling about the "right" school.

 

[CCLCMer]

My dad told me about this! Needless to say, I applied to Cleveland this year. 🙂 How do you like it there?

I bet the free tuition is going to make it absurdly hard to get into this year, though.

What I always tell people is that this medical school is about as much fun and low stress as medical school can possibly be. (Not that medical school is low stress or even particularly fun a lot of times!) We don't have tests, we don't have grades. We don't pay for tuition. We even get paid a stipend whenever we're on research blocks. They have us do so much clinic in first and second years that some of my classmates were complaining about it (as opposed to a lot of other schools, where they are begging to do more clinic). They solicit us for our feedback to the point where it gets annoying sometimes. I honestly can't think of too many ways the administration could make med school much easier on us without doing it all for us. 😛 I suspect you are right that it will be more competitive to get in here this year than it ever has been. Not that it's saying much, because we had over 1400 completed apps for 32 seats last year even before the free tuition thing happened.

This med school is not going to appeal to everyone though. If you're the kind of person who likes the validation you get from making As on tests, you won't like it here. If you don't want to have to come to class and participate, you won't like it here. If you aren't that much into research, you won't like it here. If you don't want to do self-directed study, you won't like it here. This is an awesome school, but you have to be willing to buy into the system if you want it to work for you.

 

[bcat85]

Go where you want to go to medical school.

If someone gives you a ton of money and you can deal with the school, then go there, but don't just go somewhere because its cheap.

 

[BearsDoc]

bump

 

[Chemist0157]

I'm having a similar struggle. If I get accepted to my state school (UAMS), it is going to be MUCH cheaper than my other options. Going to UAMS would be $80,000 cheaper (and that's just the difference in tuition; not even talking about cost of living expenses) than to go to the other schools. Considering how it appears that I would be happy at any of these schools and how my success in medicine is really dependent upon me and not the school, it's hard to justify going to a "better" school when it costs that much more.

 

[BearsDoc]

I am also debating between UIC and UK, both OOS for me, but UIC cost 100K more than UK. I like Chicago better. Is it really worth it?

 

[RSAgator]

I am also debating between UIC and UK, both OOS for me, but UIC cost 100K more than UK. I like Chicago better. Is it really worth it?

It's a question that I wish could be answered for you, but at the end of the day everyone has their own justifications and rationale for making the choice that they do. You're going to get out of med school what you put into it, much like anything else in life, so don't consider that school X is going to prepare you better than school Y, but rather whether you'll be happier at school X than school Y. Also, note that money is something that factors greatly into happiness. People talk about their "dream school," but I suspect that the wow factor disappears quite quickly once all the excitement of starting medical school dies down, and eventually your dream school becomes just ordinary.

Go somewhere you'll be happy, but don't be so naive as to think that the money doesn't matter.

 

[BearsDoc]

It's a question that I wish could be answered for you, but at the end of the day everyone has their own justifications and rationale for making the choice that they do. You're going to get out of med school what you put into it, much like anything else in life, so don't consider that school X is going to prepare you better than school Y, but rather whether you'll be happier at school X than school Y. Also, note that money is something that factors greatly into happiness. People talk about their "dream school," but I suspect that the wow factor disappears quite quickly once all the excitement of starting medical school dies down, and eventually your dream school becomes just ordinary.

Go somewhere you'll be happy, but don't be so naive as to think that the money doesn't matter.

I agree totally with you RSAgator. Money will play a role in happiness for sure.

 

[DrYoda]

I would like to add that despite the hype on "the perfect school for you" which is heavily pushed these days, you make yourself happy. Your surroundings can and do play a role, but humans are adaptable. You can make new friends, explore new places, do whatever it is that is needed to make yourself happy and you can do it in any city in the country.

 

[chiz2kul]

There is such a hype on here about being happy n go where you'll be happy and go to the happy place and happy happy happy. Thats important for sure, but pre-meds need to think for the future, not just immediate pleasure.
Med school is what...4 yrs..but I can assure you that when you start school, you'll become soo engrossed w ur work n stuff that idk if you'l hav time to enjoy your 'happiness'.
Every med school has its happy parts and not so happy parts, you pretty much make your own bed. There are happy profs and not so happy profs, happy students and not so happy students, happy curriculums and not so happy ones. But you're gonna get soo engrossed w studyin for everything that i wonder if this happiness issue will be a huge factor when it all starts!
Think long term...wld u rather spend 4 yrs and garner a HUGE debt just cos you wanted to be happy (short term gratification) or go to a 'not so happy place' (if that exists) but end up w a much lesser debt? Think more of residency and post residency.
The dude that talked about the 4 yr party n 30 yr hangover gave a dark perspective, which nonetheless holds some truth.
No matter where you, YOU make the most out of it. You decide to be 'happy', irrespective of the school.

 

[beachblonde]

I am also debating between UIC and UK, both OOS for me, but UIC cost 100K more than UK. I like Chicago better. Is it really worth it?

$100,000 more expensive?

Is is worth it? Hell no.

A few thousand a year, maybe, but dude, a $25K difference per year for the more expensive school? That's a whole lot of money. I realize now that it's all just numbers printed on a sheet of paper, but down the line that extra 100 grand will hurt. A lot. Look at a (very basic) loan repayment calc: paying back a $100,000 loan at 6.8% over 15 years is around $900/month; $200,000 would be more like $1,800/month.

 

[littlealex]

Take out student loans. You can't buy opportunity with money. Imagine if you only got into the cheaper school, you can't just pay 80 grand for the opportunity to goto the right school.

 

[Chemist0157]

Take out student loans. You can't buy opportunity with money. Imagine if you only got into the cheaper school, you can't just pay 80 grand for the opportunity to goto the right school.

I don't know. If I only got into one school and someone offered me a spot at an Ivy-league school, and it would cost me $100,000 extra to go, I'd probably decline because I just don't think it's worth it. The statement "Just take out student loans. You can pay them back later" doesn't really do it for me.

 

[Narmerguy]

There is such a hype on here about being happy n go where you'll be happy and go to the happy place and happy happy happy. Thats important for sure, but pre-meds need to think for the future, not just immediate pleasure.

No matter where you, YOU make the most out of it. You decide to be 'happy', irrespective of the school.

I think this is SO true. A little bit of future planning should be taken into account when choosing the medical school you're attending and that should include things such as finances and how well prepared you'll be. Few people really go into medical school and come out just feeling happy happy about the experience regardless of where they go.

 

[RSAgator]

Take out student loans. You can't buy opportunity with money. Imagine if you only got into the cheaper school, you can't just pay 80 grand for the opportunity to goto the right school.

what "opportunity" do you get by going to UIC over UK that makes it worth 20-25k a year?

 

[BearsDoc]

what "opportunity" do you get by going to UIC over UK that makes it worth 20-25k a year?

To me UIC has a more diversified student body, larger hospitals in a big city and hence more clinical exposure, and UIC match list is extremely impressive (I can't find match list from UK).

 

[Gut Shot]

I am also debating between UIC and UK, both OOS for me, but UIC cost 100K more than UK. I like Chicago better. Is it really worth it?

The country has been in recession for a year. We're facing a financial meltdown the likes of which haven't been seen in 80 years. Everywhere you turn it's bear market, bankruptcy, foreclosure, inflation, deflation. The government has essentially nationalized entire industries with obscene amounts of borrowed money. Superimpose upon this the fact that physician reimbursement has been declining, while the likelihood of major healthcare reform (with ramifications that are completely uncertain) is as high as it has been in 40 years.

You want to hang an extra $100,000 around your neck for no clear benefit? Go right ahead, my friend. Just don't say you weren't warned.