Narrowing Down Choices

[icepenguin2024]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello everyone,

I would like to start by saying I acknowledge I am in a very privileged position to have options regarding where I will be headed for the next four years. With this though, I am a bit conflicted as to how I am supposed to narrow down to 1 school basically within 1 month, when I haven't received aid packages from any of the 10 schools I was accepted at.

I feel like there will also be little time to negotiate aid offers. I am also waiting on 3 WL offers too now! I feel alone in this stress, and again I realize it is a "good" problem to have. Just wondering how other people might be feeling right now if you are in a similar boat/how I should approach the next month or so. Thank you

*I will add my partner is currently an M1 on a full-ride for his education at a school where I was accepted at, so I had high hopes for merit offers as well. Hasn't been the case.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

First congratulations! You haven't posted an X vs. Y thread to specific comparisons, but I get it's hard to choose without financial aid packages. You have to go off COA at each choice and guess which options help you walk away with a degree and as little debt as possible.

But you did throw in the personal angle having a partner who is at the school and on a full ride scholarship. How far along is this relationship (are you legal, would a different calculation go into effect about COA? different financial aid calculations as a couple?)? Would you anticipate sharing costs? How far away are your other choices? How much difference is there with COA? Why are you hanging onto other offers if your personal goal is to be together with your partner? Am I too bold to assume they want you at the same school??? Again, where you are in this relationship, and have you talked about it (meaning your choices)?

 

[icepenguin2024]

There are a lot of factors absolutely! We do want to stay close and have been together for roughly 2 years now. However, we have discussed long distance if the option of a stronger program+less loans is open. I guess it’s just a waiting game for all offers to roll through rather than spinning our gears about “if X happens or if Y is offered then..” I appreciate the insight Mr. Smile

 

[Mr.Smile12]

There are a lot of factors absolutely! We do want to stay close and have been together for roughly 2 years now. However, we have discussed long distance if the option of a stronger program+less loans is open. I guess it’s just a waiting game for all offers to roll through rather than spinning our gears about “if X happens or if Y is offered then..” I appreciate the insight Mr. Smile

I know it's a consequential decision so I'm just making sure. In the end, you have an idea how to prioritize among the schools you have offers and how an offer from your waitlist schools intercedes. You are fortunate to have options, but don't obsess over making the perfect choice.

 

[pedneuro6894]

I want to add to this and say that I also haven't received any financial packages from schools except for 1. I even asked most of the schools earlier in the year when I should hear back and many said early March, or even mid February. There seems to be some sort of big delay. Do we think this is due to the federal funding cuts?

I completely agree that I won't be able to make a decision until I know the final financial picture at each school, and I have no idea when I'll know that information. My decision is primarily based on money due to having 2 small children, so I understand your frustration.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I want to add to this and say that I also haven't received any financial packages from schools except for 1. I even asked most of the schools earlier in the year when I should hear back and many said early March, or even mid February. There seems to be some sort of big delay. Do we think this is due to the federal funding cuts?

I completely agree that I won't be able to make a decision until I know the final financial picture at each school, and I have no idea when I'll know that information. My decision is primarily based on money due to having 2 small children, so I understand your frustration.

I would be hard pressed to answer, but I'm sure the pressure from federal aid being weaponized has something to do with many delays in financial aid and admissions (on the PhD side). A lot of universities are doing cost-benefit analysis. I understand, and it's not fair to you, but we are where we are.

 

[hleama89]

Hi Mr.Smile12, wondering if you can provide a quick advice. got 2 DO acceptance, no MD interviews/acceptance, i am debating to attempt another MCAT and gap year to try MD coming year or chose one of the DOs?.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi Mr.Smile12, wondering if you can provide a quick advice. got 2 DO acceptance, no MD interviews/acceptance, i am debating to attempt another MCAT and gap year to try MD coming year or chose one of the DOs?.

Go to medical school. Do not retake your MCAT. Do not apply again. There's no guarantee you will get this chance to be a doctor... until perhaps much later than you want.

 

[hleama89]

Thanks. Just hearing perceptions that DOs start of their career with earnings less than MDs and their reputation is less of MDs. First gen Physican here. Sorry for the lack of insights.

 

[pedneuro6894]

Thanks. Just hearing perceptions that DOs start of their career with earnings less than MDs and their reputation is less of MDs. First gen Physican here. Sorry for the lack of insights.

The salary thing is a hoax IMO. You may see that DOs average salary is lower than MDs overall, but that's because DOs are primary care feeders, and primary care is often the least paying specialty. But DOs in the same specialty as MD are being paid the same.

That stigma behind DOs, while still present, is far less impactful than it used to be. However, there is still residency matching bias. DOs match far less often in competitive specialties than MDs, although it's not impossible. If you want to go into neurosurgery, then maybe DO isn't the best opinion, but then again, no matter where you go it's dependent upon you as the student.

EDIT: There were 5 DOs who matched neurosurgery in 2025