Einstein (free tuition) vs Pritzker (75% tuition scholarship)

[misosoop]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Grateful for the opportunity to make this decision. It comes down to cost for me -- I'm trying to get Pritzker to match Einstein's free tuition (as well as an additional free tuition scholarship from a third school), and if they do, I would choose Pritzker hands down. But as it stands, the difference in COA after four years between Pritzker and Einstein is ~$65K.

both: ~1.5 yr preclinical, scholarship/discovery program, AOA, graded clerkship, service opportunities, mission towards the underserved, same-ish distance from home

interests: still undecided, but leaning towards EM, academic medicine, and urban.


einstein: ~$160,000
pros:

• lower COA
• students seem happy/supportive

cons:

• lower prestige (but match lists seem comparable anyway?)
• don’t like the Bronx very much
• admin not as responsive in my experience?

pritzker: ~$225,000
pros:

• higher prestige
• much prefer Chicago
• seems like a very supportive environment, responsive admin

cons:

• higher COA

basically, is a difference in $65K significant when i want to follow my heart 😖😭🥲

 

[lebronjames.]

Chicago

 

[misosoop]

Chicago

preciate it lebron

 

[riv_jordan]

In the past, I'd say that while a difference of $65k over 4 years isn't something to scoff at it's not so significant that you should let it get in the way of your top choice. But the COA at Pritzker exceeds the new $200k federal loan cap. So how would you plan to cover the outstanding $25k? If the answer is private loans, then it becomes a lot harder to justify Pritzker.
Continue trying to negotiate with Chicago, but if they don't budge, then I'd only attend Pritzker if you have a means of paying without taking out private loans.

 

[misosoop]

In the past, I'd say that while a difference of $65k over 4 years isn't something to scoff at it's not so significant that you should let it get in the way of your top choice. But the COA at Pritzker exceeds the new $200k federal loan cap. So how would you plan to cover the outstanding $25k? If the answer is private loans, then it becomes a lot harder to justify Pritzker.
Continue trying to negotiate with Chicago, but if they don't budge, then I'd only attend Pritzker if you have a means of paying without taking out private loans.

Thanks for the insight! crossing my fingers for a better package

 

[eyeeye_captain]

The old school SDN rule of thumb was a $100k difference being significant enough to start thinking about pulling back from a preferred school. Nobody knows what the market will look like with private loans, but if you’re on the hook for $25k and leave that until your last year, I don’t think you’ll meet that threshold. Obviously prioritize paying that off first when it’s a thing.

Hopefully you get some more aid and it’s a moot point.

Side note: academic and urban EM pay below the general market value for any field, but not the end of the world for the quoted amounts.

 

[misosoop]

The old school SDN rule of thumb was a $100k difference being significant enough to start thinking about pulling back from a preferred school. Nobody knows what the market will look like with private loans, but if you’re on the hook for $25k and leave that until your last year, I don’t think you’ll meet that threshold. Obviously prioritize paying that off first when it’s a thing.

Hopefully you get some more aid and it’s a moot point.

Side note: academic and urban EM pay below the general market value for any field, but not the end of the world for the quoted amounts.

that's good to know, thank you. my family should be able to cover ~$6250/year for four years so I don't anticipate needing to take out private loans.

 

[rob120]

Regardless, I would push Pritzker HARD. They are known to just offer full-tuition on April 29/30 as they get close to using their WL (which they'd rather not). You have the power here.

 

[rob120]

Regardless, I would push Pritzker HARD. They are known to just offer full-tuition on April 29/30 as they get close to using their WL (which they'd rather not). You have the power here.

Also, if you are not waiting on waitlists and stand by your word that you would go to uchiago if full-tuition scholarship, I would send a letter of intent saying that you would 100% attend if they met your einstein offer.