Help: enroll at my state med school (higher ranked, lower COA) vs private med school (lower rank, higher COA) that I feel more connected to

[A21JHG]

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I need some help. I have been fortunate to have acceptances at my state med school and a few OOS private med schools. My state med school is ranked in T30 and I would pay in state tuition. The one private school I am seriously considering is ranked much lower (50's) and COA is $30-40K higher than state school COA. Also the COL is much higher where this private school is located. However, I love the curriculum, the people, and the location of this private school. I just feel so much more connected and the overall feel and vibe fits me much better at the private school (I spent a day on campus, met with some current students, and toured the city/area last week and LOVED it). I enjoy living in new areas and having new experiences, so living out of state in a new area is highly appealing to me. My parents, who are paying for my med school, think I am not making the right choice. They feel it is a mistake to not enroll at the highest ranked school possible [state school is ranked in the 20's; private school in 50's] and they obviously would appreciate the lower COA at my state school. Their view is that I am going to med school to earn my medical degree and not to experience a new city/area, which is absolutely true, but I think the environment and vibe/feel are important aspects to consider when choosing a school. Thoughts?

 

[KnightDoc]

I need some help. I have been fortunate to have acceptances at my state med school and a few OOS private med schools. My state med school is ranked in T30 and I would pay in state tuition. The one private school I am seriously considering is ranked much lower (50's) and COA is $30-40K higher than state school COA. Also the COL is much higher where this private school is located. However, I love the curriculum, the people, and the location of this private school. I just feel so much more connected and the overall feel and vibe fits me much better at the private school (I spent a day on campus, met with some current students, and toured the city/area last week and LOVED it). I enjoy living in new areas and having new experiences, so living out of state in a new area is highly appealing to me. My parents, who are paying for my med school, think I am not making the right choice. They feel it is a mistake to not enroll at the highest ranked school possible [state school is ranked in the 20's; private school in 50's] and they obviously would appreciate the lower COA at my state school. Their view is that I am going to med school to earn my medical degree and not to experience a new city/area, which is absolutely true, but I think the environment and vibe/feel are important aspects to consider when choosing a school. Thoughts?

IMHO, your parents are probably too hung up on the difference between T30 and T50s, but they are otherwise correct. You are going to med school to become educated and credentialed to become a physician. Having a wonderful adventure would be a great extra benefit, but it hardly seems worth an extra $160K, and really shouldn't be part of the calculus.

That said, it's your life. If I were them, I'd tell you I'm covering COA at the state school, and you can borrow the balance to do whatever you want, wherever you want. Maybe you should offer to do that anyway, as a way of demonstrating your sincerity as well as willingness to pay to indulge your "feeling" about the other school.

Other than this, your feelings are yours, and you are the one who will have to live with your decision, so I'm not sure what we say should drive your decision. Good luck!!

 

[wondervisions]

30-40k per year? Yeah I would pick the state school my man.

 

[Goro]

I need some help. I have been fortunate to have acceptances at my state med school and a few OOS private med schools. My state med school is ranked in T30 and I would pay in state tuition. The one private school I am seriously considering is ranked much lower (50's) and COA is $30-40K higher than state school COA. Also the COL is much higher where this private school is located. However, I love the curriculum, the people, and the location of this private school. I just feel so much more connected and the overall feel and vibe fits me much better at the private school (I spent a day on campus, met with some current students, and toured the city/area last week and LOVED it). I enjoy living in new areas and having new experiences, so living out of state in a new area is highly appealing to me. My parents, who are paying for my med school, think I am not making the right choice. They feel it is a mistake to not enroll at the highest ranked school possible [state school is ranked in the 20's; private school in 50's] and they obviously would appreciate the lower COA at my state school. Their view is that I am going to med school to earn my medical degree and not to experience a new city/area, which is absolutely true, but I think the environment and vibe/feel are important aspects to consider when choosing a school. Thoughts?

Go for the cheaper tuition

 

[ChiDO]

Cheaper tuition 100% is the correct choice. But since daddy is paying, guess you can choose whatever since your debt is $0. But I'd make you pay the difference if I were your parents.

 

[A21JHG]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I appreciate it. State school it is although hadn't thought about covering the difference in COA, but probably not worth it.

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

@KnightDoc has it right. If you really want the private school, just have your folks cover the state school COA and take loans for the balance. Just don't go to the state school and then regret it and blame your generous parents!

 

[Banco]

30-40k per year? Yeah I would pick the state school my man.

This x1000.

 

[MediocreClimber]

Unless you would be actively unhappy at the state school, definitely pick the higher ranked and cheaper school. It is hard to get a sense for schools from virtual interviews and you may end up liking it just as much.