Importance of moving out?

[Valtun]

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Hello everyone,

I've been lucky enough to have multiple medical school acceptances, but now have the hard decision of choosing between them. My dream school that I've always envisioned myself going to is currently my top choice, but unfortunately is expensive, think 50-60k a year. This school would allow me to continue living at home and save a lot of money, however, that is not necessarily what I want. I've lived at home my entire life, including throughout undergrad and I would love to have a change and be able to live on my own. I know moving out would be super nice because it would give me my own space and have my too involved parents off my back, as they sometimes can cause a significant amount of stress (although, they do offer a lot of support as well).

This is where the hard part comes in. I've also been accepted to another school a little farther away, but still somewhat close, to home. This school is about 20k cheaper per year and would allow me to move out, and have my own space, but still be driveable distance to my family where I can visit whenever. Living in this area + tuition would equal about the total cost of tuition + no living costs of the other school (correct me if I'm wrong there). I want the experience of living on my own and I know it would benefit me during medical school and for my future, but this school is not as desirable as the other in many different ways.

I am deciding it would be stupid to move out and live on my own for the first school, cause that would drive up the total expenses for no reason, especially when tuition is already so expensive.

Am I thinking about this all wrong? Should I just enjoy the free living expenses (as well as cooking, laundry, etc.) so I can go to the medical school I want? Or is there enough advantages to moving out where I should go to the other school?

Can anyone offer their advice? Especially those that have been in my situation before and decided one way over another?


Thank you so much!

 

[microbionerd]

Here are my 2 cents.

I thoroughly support the moving out option and going to a school cheaper, especially since it is STILL close to family. (If it was not, that would make it a more difficult decision).

I moved out of my parent's house at the age 17 for undergrad. Although this was very young, the growth that came from being independent and living on my own was invaluable. I've learned how to cook, clean, do my own bills, etc. These are necessary skills that you should learn, especially now while you're young. Being close to home you can still appreciate home-cooked meals and laundry in spurts while learning how to do these things independently.

 

[imbesrs]

Am I thinking about this all wrong? Should I just enjoy the free living expenses (as well as cooking, laundry, etc.) so I can go to the medical school I want? Or is there enough advantages to moving out where I should go to the other school?

Independence. Depending on your parents of course however they are obviously very supportive of you thus far.

I think its vital as you will be 26-30 coming out of med school and if you have lived at home for 30 years, you have a lot of independence catching up to do. If you do choose the non-at home school, you need to like practice to live alone while living at home. Learn easy meals to make, do your own laundry, etc which can be hard for your parents to not.... take care of you.

Good luck!

 

[DNAJB6]

Enjoy the free rent! $1100+ mo. x 12 mo./yr. x 4 yrs. = $52,800+ plus interest

Is it worth $50k to get away from your parents? That's a nice sum to go towards the down payment on your first home.

 

[ciestar]

Enjoy the free rent! $1100+ mo. x 12 mo./yr. x 4 yrs. = $52,800+ plus interest

Is it worth $50k to get away from your parents? That's a nice sum to go towards the down payment on your first home.

So worth it

 

[m1redsox]

I think it's always wisest to get the best education you possibly can. If your top choice can offer you that, then do it!
If living with your parents becomes unbearable, then move out during MS2 or something! Maybe just do it for a year or two!
The bottom line is - if you turn down your dream school, I think you'll regret it more than you'll regret living with your parents.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

if you really want to move out then you can move out and go to either school. While you would save money living at home and your parents seem receptive to that idea there’s no reason you HAVE to live at home. If you want to move out of your parents place and live next door even go for it. It’s your life and you need to make the best decisions for yourself

 

[Tenk]

Best option would be to go to dream school and stay at home. This, as mentioned above, would be nearly the same if not cheaper depending on what you pay in rent for four years. Not only that but you will probably not have to pay for food or utilities which add up over four years.

Running the numbers in my head though I probably wouldn’t go to the more expensive school if you aren’t staying at home. 80k of principle is a lot. Unless you are banking on becoming a neurosurgeon or dermatologist and the dream school has a great department while the other school doesn’t, this is a huge financial mistake. I know it’s all Monopoly money to you right now but one day it will be very real with well over $100,000 paid over the life of the loans.

 

[Valtun]

Thank you everyone for the responses! Some good points were made and I'll take it all into consideration as I make my decision (not sure if making this thread made the decision easier or harder haha).

 

[LizzyM]

Could you split the difference? By that I mean, live home for the first two years including the time you'll spend studying full-time for Step 1 and then move out when you start clerkships. You'll need to borrow only half as much as you would if you moved out for all four years, you'll have the opportunity to live on your own before residency, you may be able to find a like-minded medical student who will room with you (reduces the likelihood of loniliness and gives you someone to share expenses with), and you won't be bothering your parents coming and going early in the morning and late at night. (Clerkships have early morning rounds, as well as overnight shifts and sometimes night shifts.)

 

[DNAJB6]

Could you split the difference? By that I mean, live home for the first two years including the time you'll spend studying full-time for Step 1 and then move out when you start clerkships. You'll need to borrow only half as much as you would if you moved out for all four years, you'll have the opportunity to live on your own before residency, you may be able to find a like-minded medical student who will room with you (reduces the likelihood of loniliness and gives you someone to share expenses with), and you won't be bothering your parents coming and going early in the morning and late at night. (Clerkships have early morning rounds, as well as overnight shifts and sometimes night shifts.)

You always manage to come up with sage advice even outside of admissions questions. I've enjoyed your posts through the years. Thanks!

 

[clinicallabguy]

Could you split the difference? By that I mean, live home for the first two years including the time you'll spend studying full-time for Step 1 and then move out when you start clerkships. You'll need to borrow only half as much as you would if you moved out for all four years, you'll have the opportunity to live on your own before residency, you may be able to find a like-minded medical student who will room with you (reduces the likelihood of loniliness and gives you someone to share expenses with), and you won't be bothering your parents coming and going early in the morning and late at night. (Clerkships have early morning rounds, as well as overnight shifts and sometimes night shifts.)

Totally agree with this. It wouldn't be a horrible thing to be in a familiar environment while starting the first courses of medical school. Also, moving out doesn't have to be that expensive. Find some medical students in your school with a vacant room and get yourself some roommates when you move out. Win - win.