Duke/Michigan ($$$) vs. FAU/FIU ($)—Worth it?

[redexpomarker]

This is a more general help me decide post, since I am struggling to understand if more debt is worth it.

I am extremely grateful to have gotten into two of my top choices: Duke and Michigan. I am leaning Duke a bit more due to personal advantages (close to family and weather) as well as having received $9000 more in grant aid than Michigan (I am out of state). These schools would have me with a guaranteed tuition debt of $250k-280k, not including living expenses debt. With that, it will likely be closer to $300k-$400k. I am absolutely thrilled for the opportunities to go to these schools, especially since I went to my state school with the intention of saving money so I could maybe even go to a more prestigious/resourceful medical school if accepted. However, the debt I would incur for these schools feels like a punch in the gut. These schools have yet to send out all merit aid, though.

My in-state options are Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University. While these schools are not at the same level of Duke/Michigan, the guaranteed tuition debt would be significantly cheaper at $128k, total debt closer to $215k. This is if I pay full tuition, as I haven’t gotten an aid package yet. This is clearly very attractive, but I’m not sure if going for cheap is worth it. I also don’t really want to move back to Florida…

I personally am undecided but have an interest in some competitive specialties (urology, OB/GYN), but I do think I could see myself doing academic medicine in the future. I have no other debt currently. I have also been accepted to some schools that are between Duke/Michigan and FAU/FIU, but haven’t gotten any aid packages yet.

I would appreciate some thoughts on this dilemma. Thank you for your time.

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[kiwisun]

Wow these are awesome! I would lean towards slightly acquiring larger debt. I have seen some posts from 4th years that matched saying that school name plays a bigger role in matching now due to step 1 being P/F.

The fact that you do not want to move back to Florida and likely do not want to practice residency there is also indicative of this. Take Duke, an amazing school with an amazing match list! Especially since you may want to do something competitive, it will pay off in the long run.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

I’m usually very anti-debt, but I think in this case Duke/Michigan are worth the extra money. Congratulations!!!

 

[redexpomarker]

Wow these are awesome! I would lean towards slightly acquiring larger debt. I have seen some posts from 4th years that matched saying that school name plays a bigger role in matching now due to step 1 being P/F.

The fact that you do not want to move back to Florida and likely do not want to practice residency there is also indicative of this. Take Duke, an amazing school with an amazing match list! Especially since you may want to do something competitive, it will pay off in the long run.

Yes, thinking about step 1 being P/F definitely makes me lean towards the top schools. You make a great point about not wanting to do residency in Florida, either. I would probably want out if I went to school there… Thank you for responding!

 

[redexpomarker]

I’m usually very anti-debt, but I think in this case Duke/Michigan are worth the extra money. Congratulations!!!

I am also anti-debt, which is why I felt the need to make this post LOL. Hoping for some merit aid, but they still might be worth it, especially since the COL isn’t crazy in Durham/Ann Arbor and I would have greater control over that aspect of my debt. Thanks for responding!

 

[shy_hulud]

Congrats!! Just to touch on some Duke/Michigan differences: Duke's clinicals are P/F (Michigan's are graded), while Ann Arbor is a bit smaller but a bit more walkable.

 

[atriablack]

I understand a lot of your decision rests on aid and how FA works out, but if you have any questions about Michigan (current M1), feel free to DM!