Jefferson versus UMass: Financial Aid

[gmendese]

Hi there, guys. Well, I'm going to be a first-year student this upcoming fall, but I have a little dilemma (although I know I have NO room to complain about anything, after FINALLY gettin in after 3 tries).

Well, I've narrowed it down to UMass and Jefferson. UMass is relatively inexpensive, but because of that, they don't give out much gift aid, unless I'm wrong. Jefferson, on the other hand, is quite expensive, but gave me a full tuition scholarship. But then there is room, board, and everything else, which brings the cost down to somewhere near what UMass will cost me total. Well, my Estimated Family Contribution from the FAFSA form is around $3,000 - my parents don't make much, and don't own a house or anything. Does anyone know what gift aid is out there for UMass?

And just as important, which school do you think will provide the better education? I like the idea of lectures AND small groups, and am pretty sure UMass has more small groups although I could be mistaken.

I figure that since you're all in school, some of you could give me better advice than office personnel at Jefferson or UMass. Thanks a ton!

Gary

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[gmendese]

Anyone?

 

[serpiente]

G--UMass doesn't have much in the way of fin aid unless you're REALLY needy, since it's already so cheap. You can always do the Learning contract though--and if you practice in MA afterwards 2/3 of your tuition is forgiven.It seems to me that money isn't such a big issue here. Even if you pay full at UMass it isn't anywhere near the kind of debt that you would get at a private school. I dont think 30K total worth of debt is that worrisome. I think you really need to look at other factors--where will you be happier? Which school will help you obtain a better residency (if you care about that? where would you rather live? I think you'd get better clinical experience in Philly and probably have a shot at a better residency from Jeff--I posted about this elsewehere but UMass's matchlist is very disappointing and I have a lot of friends who didn't match into the specialty they wanted coming from UMass. On the other hand is your family/friends/sig other in the MA area? It's definitely a tough choice, and I know were you're coming from.
Also I don't believe that UMass has a lot of small group stuff-there is some but the curriculum is largely traditional and lecture based. I know nothing about Jefferson, so I don't know how they compare, but I wouldn't think that there is a huge difference.

 

[gmendese]

serpiente, thanks for writing.

well, as far as umass debt goes, it'll be like 28k/year minus 5,600 for the learning contract if you take living expenses into consideration. Hey, aren't you going to UMass next fall? You really think the match list is disappointing? Ouch. I guess I'll have to check that out.

Gary