Help me decide Penn State vs VCU

[documentdoc]

I got accepted to both Penn State (Hershey) and VCU (Richmond) for med school—super grateful but now totally torn. Tuition-wise, VCU is around $39K/year and Penn State is $60K/year, and I haven’t received scholarships from either (yet).

Distance from home is about the same, but I really love nature, fresh air, and greenery—which I didn’t really feel in Richmond. Hershey has more of that peaceful, green vibe, while VCU seems overwhelming.

VCU seems to have a stronger ranking (?), but my husband and I both love smaller towns, so Hershey fits that lifestyle better.


If we factor in money, it’ll be an easy math, but money isn’t a very big issue for us, and it also depends on the overall cost of living in these two cities.

If you’ve gone to either or just have thoughts, I’d really appreciate your insight to help me decide!

Edit: Just received a half ride from Penn State. It’s need based and I’m married so my husband’s income can affect it for future years.

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[ClashRoyaleKing]

You seem drawn to Penn State, which, if money isn't really an issue, go there. VCU is cheaper, higher ranked, and has a more organized administration than Penn State so I'd personally go there. You could also live farther out of Richmond in a quieter suburb if you prefer.

 

[PlayfulT-Rex]

Disclaimer: I was in a very similar spot with my decision and I’ll be matriculating at Penn State this summer. While Richmond isn’t the biggest city there is definitely a lot more going than in Hershey, which is a pro to some and a con to others. While the tuition gap is quite large, the COL for both will certainly narrow your overall COA.

For the other things you mentioned, I don’t believe that prestige can really be factored in here. While VCU may be higher regarded for Virginia residency programs (and possibly surrounding states), Penn State is definitely more well known nationally and has an incredible alumni network. Personally, I found Penn State’s match list more impressive, but this may not be relevant depending on what you want to specialize in and where you want to end up. Also, Penn State doesn’t participate in the USWNR so I don’t believe comparing rank here is important.

If money really isn’t a driving factor it seems like you’re already leaning Penn State. Congratulations on acceptances to two great schools, you really can’t go wrong with this one!

 

[documentdoc]

Disclaimer: I was in a very similar spot with my decision and I’ll be matriculating at Penn State this summer. While Richmond isn’t the biggest city there is definitely a lot more going than in Hershey, which is a pro to some and a con to others. While the tuition gap is quite large, the COL for both will certainly narrow your overall COA.

For the other things you mentioned, I don’t believe that prestige can really be factored in here. While VCU may be higher regarded for Virginia residency programs (and possibly surrounding states), Penn State is definitely more well known nationally and has an incredible alumni network. Personally, I found Penn State’s match list more impressive, but this may not be relevant depending on what you want to specialize in and where you want to end up. Also, Penn State doesn’t participate in the USWNR so I don’t believe comparing rank here is important.

If money really isn’t a driving factor it seems like you’re already leaning Penn State. Congratulations on acceptances to two great schools, you really can’t go wrong with this one!

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. Are you saying that Penn State is ranked lower simply because it hasn’t participated in rankings?
I also didn’t understand you about COL and COA, how would you compare the total COA between these two cities? Thank you!!!

 

[documentdoc]

You seem drawn to Penn State, which, if money isn't really an issue, go there. VCU is cheaper, higher ranked, and has a more organized administration than Penn State so I'd personally go there. You could also live farther out of Richmond in a quieter suburb if you prefer.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Makes sense.

 

[PlayfulT-Rex]

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. Are you saying that Penn State is ranked lower simply because it hasn’t participated in rankings?
I also didn’t understand you about COL and COA, how would you compare the total COA between these two cities? Thank you!!!

Not necessarily ranked “lower” because they haven’t participated in rankings, but this “rank” doesn’t truly exist for Penn state (and many others that have withdrawn from being ranked). If there is a prestige difference between these two schools I believe it’s likely minimal.

My point about the cost is that it’ll be notably cheaper to live in Hershey than Richmond. So hypothetically Penn State tuition is 60k + 12k in rent for a year and VCU tuition is 39k + 18k in rent for a year. While the tuition gap is 21k yearly the true cost of attendance is likely to actually be closer to 15k, so not as large as the tuition difference suggests. Hope this helped!

 

[documentdoc]

Not necessarily ranked “lower” because they haven’t participated in rankings, but this “rank” doesn’t truly exist for Penn state (and many others that have withdrawn from being ranked). If there is a prestige difference between these two schools I believe it’s likely minimal.

My point about the cost is that it’ll be notably cheaper to live in Hershey than Richmond. So hypothetically Penn State tuition is 60k + 12k in rent for a year and VCU tuition is 39k + 18k in rent for a year. While the tuition gap is 21k yearly the true cost of attendance is likely to actually be closer to 15k, so not as large as the tuition difference suggests. Hope this helped!

It definitely helped! thank you so much future doc!