Does it all just come down to $?

[imer]

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[236116]

Unless there is something super amazing omg compelling about one of the other schools, go with free.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Take the scholarship...

 

[235009]

i think it makes a big difference which private schools you are choosing between. obviously your state school would be out of the window at this point seeing as it will be more expensive than the school that gave you a full ride. it would probably help to know what schools you are asking us to compare...feel free to leave out your state school since, as i just mentioned, it really doesn't factor into the equation any more.

 

[DrYoda]

Take the money.

 

[ButImLETired]

I suggest going to the scholarship school's second look. If you feel comfortable there and like the other acceptees, then awesome, the decision is made for you. If the second look is utterly miserable, hate the place, hate the professors, and think your fellow acceptees are smelly and awkward, then you can always schedule "informal" second looks at the other two schools and make up your mind that way. It'd definitely not be smart to give up the full ride without having given the school every possible chance first. !

 

[funkymunkytoes]

Follow the green.

Btw, I think you'd get more helpful, substantive answers if you tell us which schools you are considering, and which have offered scholarships. 👍

 

[FrickenhugeMD]

I could go on but the point is that it has kind of sucked that most of the helpful stuff was already on sdn had I only known about it, and it would kept me from getting blindsided so many times in this seemingly random process

Well, you have been accepted to 2 top schools and gotten a full ride from another. I would say you didn't miss out on much that could have been gained from SDN.

Unless you want $150,000+ in debt ( for what ever reason you can justify to yourself 🙄) take the money and run....

keep in mind that by the time you pay off a loan, you typically spend 2x what it was originally, so it would end up costing $300,000 real dollars

 

[DrWookie]

Win the lottery so you don't have to worry about how much schools cost.

Seriously, that should be everyone's plan.

 

[imer]

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[MDman87]

Does it all just come down to $?

If by "it" you mean just about everything, then you're correct

 

[236116]

Thanks for responses - it seems like it should be a no-brainer, but surprisingly it isn't -yet.

Not sure this matters, but the two well regarded schools are U Mich and Wash U. Is one worth paying for over the other?

no

 

[DrYoda]

Thanks for responses - it seems like it should be a no-brainer, but surprisingly it isn't -yet.

Not sure this matters, but the two well regarded schools are U Mich and Wash U. Is one worth paying for over the other?

Nope, both are squarely in the crazy awesome category.

 

[unsung]

Think of the years of your life you'll spend with massive debt hanging over your head, working hard to pay it off bit by bit (even if you go into a lucrative specialty). That's not just a practical burden. It's a psychological burden that will contribute unnecessary stress to your life for years to come. Unfortunately, it's what a lot of the rest of are destined to endure since we haven't the choice... but you don't have to go down this path! Take the $$!

Seriously, this has been stated time and again-- but most medical schools give you pretty much equivalent training. Is there a specific geographic area that you're limited to in making your final decision? (Family issues or whatever) That kind of restriction would pretty much be the only reason I'd choose a $$$ school over a free school. Unless you have some reason for absolutely hating the free school-- it lacks some opportunities that are essential for you, or some other extenuating circumstance. If you could see yourself happy there, then that's reason enough to go there, imo.

 

[imer]

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[DarknightX]

I guess I had convinced myself early in the process that if I ever had a choice in med schools I would not let it come down to a simple $ calculation, since I think that would've washed out over time...

This isn't a simple money calculation....somebody is going to hand you $150K. You'd be insane to turn that down.

 

[Appless]

Money is always the key issue and for most pre meds imo should be the main choice in deciding. All this talk about oh the students seemed happy or the staff was nice....of course they are going to be nice they arent gonna say "hey welcome to our school, **** off you bitch you would be lucky we even accept your sorry ass." There is no way off one scripted controlled interview day you can know anything really about the school or if you will like it there for 4 years. Unless you have to stay in state because of kids or family or something worthwhile like that, like everything else in life, follow the green! Not to mention both schools you listed are highly regarded schools and if you do well should provde ample opportunities for the residency of your choice.

 

[dw2158]

I suggest going to the scholarship school's second look. If you feel comfortable there and like the other acceptees, then awesome, the decision is made for you. If the second look is utterly miserable, hate the place, hate the professors, and think your fellow acceptees are smelly and awkward, then you can always schedule "informal" second looks at the other two schools and make up your mind that way. It'd definitely not be smart to give up the full ride without having given the school every possible chance first. !

great advice, as usual. 👍 this is what i'd do for sure.

Not sure this matters, but the two well regarded schools are U Mich and Wash U.

psssssh, you didn't need SDN. congrats!

Think of the years of your life you'll spend with massive debt hanging over your head, working hard to pay it off bit by bit (even if you go into a lucrative specialty). That's not just a practical burden. It's a psychological burden that will contribute unnecessary stress to your life for years to come.

i'm so tired of seeing this attitude all over SDN. i mean, it's valid, because debt is not a small deal, but come on! both of my parents came from non-wealthy families and took out massive loans to cover their educations. they have paid back their loans slowly (actually my dad just finished!) and sure, being in debt has been a stressor and an annoyance for them. but i would not go so far as to say that it is a life-ruiner, which is how i feel many people on SDN describe it. my family was happy, not psychologically burdened, despite the debt my parents had while i was growing up. we were not wealthy in the least, but we did okay. and i learned that money isn't EVERYTHING.

if you want to go to a school that makes you happy over a school that gives you money, do it. sacrificing your well-being for money is never a good idea, IMO. (this isn't just advice to the OP, obviously. just my little SDN rant 😳)

 

[imer]

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[DarknightX]

dw2158: that's pretty much my train of thought, initially.

But then I ask at what point does reality kick in - it's hard to turn off the obvious advantage of $. Just seems like a slippery slope to start down if I start making these decisions for $ alone.

Obviously I don't have all the info I need to make a clear decision about fit and may never.

Who'd have thought this could be a problem?

I don't get the big problem here. You self described yourself as cheap and you mentioned didn't want to pay for MCAT prep and you did the self study route. All of the sudden you've had a change of heart and money is no longer an issue?

That seems pretty inconsistent to me. IMO, there isn't anything that great or different about any medical school. Everybody learns the same crap for 2 years, and most of the important things are self taught anyway. The only thing that makes a huge difference is the people that are in your class, and there's no way to find this out ahead of time anyway. Unless you have family near one school, I really don't see a compelling reason to turn down free tuition.

It's pretty darn simple...are the other schools you're considering worth making a $300-$700 payment every month for 10-20 years after you graduate?

 

[sunset823]

since you're talking full-ride to Umich, GO TO UMICH - UM is one of the top schools in the country, and having spent five years in Ann Arbor and working in the med school currently (but alas, not having the #s to get in here), they have a tremendous amount going on in research and health care innovation and the works - A2 is a great place to live either single (lots of bars/music/nightlife) or married (great schools, lots of local U jobs, etc.)

I can't imagine anybody hating UMich at second look day, honestly, responding to LET's comment

 

[zpiff]

Thanks for responses - it seems like it should be a no-brainer, but surprisingly it isn't -yet.

Not sure this matters, but the two well regarded schools are U Mich and Wash U. Is one worth paying for over the other?

Unless you really have compelling personal reasons to go to one, I'd go to the cheaper of these two.

Congrats on your acceptances!

 

[dw2158]

dw2158: that's pretty much my train of thought, initially.

But then I ask at what point does reality kick in - it's hard to turn off the obvious advantage of $. Just seems like a slippery slope to start down if I start making these decisions for $ alone.

Obviously I don't have all the info I need to make a clear decision about fit and may never.

Who'd have thought this could be a problem?

absolutely. and i'm not saying to do what you want irregardless of the money, i'm just saying that money should be one of many factors you consider when making this decision. i feel that the overwhelming majority of people on SDN talk about money as #1 and everything else as secondary. i disagree with this mindset.

 

[vickpick]

man.... are you going to give up a lottery just because the store manager coundn't give u the million dollars right away? Are you going to ask for a refund? No...

just take the free tuition and stop making people jealous 😛

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

Fit is overrated.

Take the $.

 

[drizzt3117]

I would take the full scholarship too.

 

[NiCad089]

Fit is overrated.

Take the $.

👍

 

[JJMrK]

Congratulations on your success.

 

[GonnaHappen]

Well, you have been accepted to 2 top schools and gotten a full ride from another. I would say you didn't miss out on much that could have been gained from SDN.

Unless you want $150,000+ in debt ( for what ever reason you can justify to yourself 🙄) take the money and run....

keep in mind that by the time you pay off a loan, you typically spend 2x what it was originally, so it would end up costing $300,000 real dollars

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[imer]

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