Michigan vs. Colorado ($$$)

[Terrible Teak]

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I have been accepted to the U of Michigan and the U of Colorado (with a hefty scholarship). Which should I choose? Both are out of state schools for me so tuition is high at both. I really loved both schools. I know Michigan has a better reputation, but it is worth spending a lot more money to go there? Thanks.

 

[nadaba]

I have been accepted to the U of Michigan and the U of Colorado (with a hefty scholarship). Which should I choose? Both are out of state schools for me so tuition is high at both. I really loved both schools. I know Michigan has a better reputation, but it is worth spending a lot more money to go there? Thanks.

Take the money and run (coming from someone who really likes Michigan).

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Colorado is an awesome school and if I get in off the waitlist I'm attending for sure (I'm IS). UMich has a better established reputation but Colorado is well on its way to being a top school, IMO. Great research going on, brand new campus. Especially if you got a scholarship? CU all the way man. Congrats on two fantastic acceptances.

 

[RedSox10]

What is the actual cost difference? If im correct, Colorado is something like 57K for OOS students which is well above any private school price so even with a scholarship it could still be pricey, and I think Michigan is slightly cheaper than most OOS schools, no?

All that aside, I like the state of Colorado more, so Id probably choose that.

 

[dblue10]

It looks like a little over 10k difference/year but a scholarship might erase that. I'm a fan of CU (why did you reject me?!) but if the cost isn't crazy different I'd take Michigan. It has a great national reputation and Ann Arbor is cool!

 

[indonacious]

I'm having a similar situation myself. I'm now mostly between umich and my state school (us news 50-70 range)...

But I have a scholarship for a full-ride my M1 year at my state school, with a full ride guaranteed if I maintain high standing. I still maintain some form of scholarship throughout as long as I stay in the top half, however.

Worst case scenario I save about 105K... Best case scenario I save 185K . I'm very conflicted myself, as I can't really quantify how much more umich's education amongst other considerations is worth, especially given that my scholarship situation is somewhat fluid.

I don't mean to thread-jack but I think my situation is pretty analogous to yours.

What do you guys think...I'm eager for a fresh perspective?

 

[Terrible Teak]

There is around a $10K a year difference between Michigan and Colorado but my scholarship still makes Colorado quite a bit cheaper. I would probably come out about $100K less in debt by going to Colorado. Indonacious, I feel you, we are in the same boat (although it seems your scholarship could lead to more savings).

Basically it comes down to should I graduate with less debt, or go to a "better" med school that might open more doors for me in terms of residency? And therefore maybe make up any difference I save in med school because I could land a better job after residency?

I would actually like to end up in Colorado for the long term.

Is there really THAT much of a difference in reputation between the two schools?

Thanks again for all the perspectives. It seems Colorado has quite a few fans out there, no one seems to be choosing Michigan.

 

[gerfan]

I have a complex decision myself (see UW vs. CU vs. OHSU) ... but yours is not that complex. If you liked Colorado and want to end up there anyway AND would save about 100K, Colorado, all the way! ... The only caveat, if you think you would like to pursue academic medicine or a highly competitive field, then choose Michigan. Otherwise, I would go for savings in a place and at a school you will enjoy.

 

[pdxjazz]

There is around a $10K a year difference between Michigan and Colorado but my scholarship still makes Colorado quite a bit cheaper. I would probably come out about $100K less in debt by going to Colorado. Indonacious, I feel you, we are in the same boat (although it seems your scholarship could lead to more savings).

Basically it comes down to should I graduate with less debt, or go to a "better" med school that might open more doors for me in terms of residency? And therefore maybe make up any difference I save in med school because I could land a better job after residency?

I would actually like to end up in Colorado for the long term.

Is there really THAT much of a difference in reputation between the two schools?

Thanks again for all the perspectives. It seems Colorado has quite a few fans out there, no one seems to be choosing Michigan.

Have you contacted Michigan to let them know that you are considering Colorado for financial reasons? If they really want you they may be able to offer some kind of incentive. You have nothing to lose by asking, although I would only ask if you are willing to go to Michigan if costs end up being comparable.

 

[Sephiroth]

Have you contacted Michigan to let them know that you are considering Colorado for financial reasons? If they really want you they may be able to offer some kind of incentive. You have nothing to lose by asking, although I would only ask if you are willing to go to Michigan if costs end up being comparable.

Do this.

If cost were equal, I'd go Mich. Actually, I'd prob go to Mich anyway bcuz of what I want to do, but it really depends on what you want to do. If you want to go into primary care, definitely go to Colorado. If you plan on staying in CO, that might be a good reason to go there too - unless you wanted to get into a competitive specialty that isn't there.

 

[Terrible Teak]

Have you contacted Michigan to let them know that you are considering Colorado for financial reasons? If they really want you they may be able to offer some kind of incentive. You have nothing to lose by asking, although I would only ask if you are willing to go to Michigan if costs end up being comparable.

I have not asked and I think this is a great idea. I am definitely willing to go to Michigan if the costs were comparable.

Anyone have any suggestion on how I ask? Phrasing, etc. I don't want to say that I wouldn't go to Michigan if they don't give me any money. I just would like to let them know the situation and that as much as I love Michigan, finances are also a consideration for me.

Anyone have any experience asking for money from a school based on another scholarship?

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[Sephiroth]

I have not asked and I think this is a great idea. I am definitely willing to go to Michigan if the costs were comparable.

Anyone have any suggestion on how I ask? Phrasing, etc. I don't want to say that I wouldn't go to Michigan if they don't give me any money. I just would like to let them know the situation and that as much as I love Michigan, finances are also a consideration for me.

Anyone have any experience asking for money from a school based on another scholarship?

Thanks for all the help so far.

I think there's a thread floating around somewhere on the best way to go about this, but generally something along the lines of "I would really like to go to Michigan, but financial matters are concerning me; is there anything you can do to alleviate this financial concern and make it easy for me to pick Michigan?"

I'd say try to dig up that thread though.

 

[Terrible Teak]

That sounds like a great way to phrase it. And I will definitely try to dig up that other post.

Should I mention the other scholarship (amount, which school) when I contact Michigan?

 

[Ilovewater]

I have not asked and I think this is a great idea. I am definitely willing to go to Michigan if the costs were comparable.

Anyone have any suggestion on how I ask? Phrasing, etc. I don't want to say that I wouldn't go to Michigan if they don't give me any money. I just would like to let them know the situation and that as much as I love Michigan, finances are also a consideration for me.

Anyone have any experience asking for money from a school based on another scholarship?

Thanks for all the help so far.

I did this, and it worked. =] Basically, I said that I love their school and would definitely attend, but I can't ignore the financial aspect. So, I asked if there was any way for the school to help me out (and match my instate school's tuition).

 

[pdxjazz]

That sounds like a great way to phrase it. And I will definitely try to dig up that other post.

Should I mention the other scholarship (amount, which school) when I contact Michigan?

I would. Schools can see where else you are accepted so I'm sure if you are direct and spell it out they will consider your request seriously. I would let them know the school, scholarship amount, and what the final COA difference is between the two schools. Let them know if costs are more comparable you would attend. I would also send it to the head honchos of admissions/fin aid, not to general department mailboxes. Good luck!

 

[mvenus929]

If you want to end up in Colorado, going to Colorado is probably a good bet. Especially if you want to go into something like Peds, where CU is the only program in the state. Actually knowing the faculty and being able to participate in their research projects will probably get you far... especially if Colorado is like my school where you get an automatic interview if you go there for med school.

 

[TBarr]

I'm on the waitlist at CU and it is far and above without the slightest doubt in my mind my number one school I want to go to. So if you are having doubts, by all means, please go to Michigan.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

If you want to end up in Colorado, going to Colorado is probably a good bet. Especially if you want to go into something like Peds, where CU is the only program in the state. Actually knowing the faculty and being able to participate in their research projects will probably get you far... especially if Colorado is like my school where you get an automatic interview if you go there for med school.

Colorado is a little different for residencies, I think, because it's such a desirable place to live. The EM program at Denver Health, for example, is one of the most competitive in the country and they get so many applicants from CU med that it's very difficult for them to be accepted.

 

[UnclePhil]

I'd probably take the money and go to Colorado...

$105k-$185k is a LOT of money and considering how much I pay for med school every year, I literally cringe a little bit every time I have to apply for loans.

 

[mvenus929]

Colorado is a little different for residencies, I think, because it's such a desirable place to live. The EM program at Denver Health, for example, is one of the most competitive in the country and they get so many applicants from CU med that it's very difficult for them to be accepted.

I said auto-*interview*, not auto-*acceptance*. But, the same reason away rotations are useful for certain specialties and programs, actually being in the CU program during med school could potentially give you a leg up. After all, how likely are you to match into a CU program when you go to CU, vs any other medical school?

But yes, I agree that CU programs are inherently more competitive, because there is such a high demand for those positions, regardless of how good the program really is (it can rank 50th and still be a desirable program due to location, for instance).

 

[ruiner]

Would go to Colorado regardless of if Michigan matches. Especially if you want to live there.

 

[bassvp]

Colorado is a little different for residencies, I think, because it's such a desirable place to live. The EM program at Denver Health, for example, is one of the most competitive in the country and they get so many applicants from CU med that it's very difficult for them to be accepted.

I'm not sure that the strength of the EM program at Denver Health is necessarily related to Colorado being a desirable place to live...if that were the case, all residencies in Colorado would be "strong" and I don't believe that is so.