Northwestern vs. Ohio State

[Auricae]

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Hey guys,

Is there anyone out there who is debating between these two schools, or knows a lot about each school who could offer their advice?

I like NU more, but Ohio State is a lot cheaper (around 27,000 a year cheaper I believe). I'm not terribly rich so this is a significant concern.

Both schools seem fairly comparable academically. Both have a true P/F system, have very little class hours, and have good research opportunities. I liked OSU's independent study program, which had 0 class hours for the first two years.

On the other hand, NU has a much better location (and this is important for me). I like being in a big city and I feel like I will enjoy my 4 years much more at NU. The student body at NU seemed more diverse at NU. I also like this fact. One advantage to OSU is that I would be near home and near my family, but this is not a huge factor for me since I am used to being far away.

Can anyone offer their opinions to help clarify my thoughts? Basically, my predicament is I like NU more, but I am not sure if the extra cost is worth it. Please help!

 

[exmike]

you can go to OSU and be my classmate next year

sorry, not much help huh 😀

 

[Auricae]

Haha, not really, but in case I do go to OSU, it's nice to meet you. One more question to add to this discussion: Does anyone know OSU's/NU's attitudes towards deferments?

 

[finnpipette]

I'd go to NU based on the great location in chicago alone...osu is a great school, and exmike, i might just end up being your classmate there, but overall i feel that columbus i less balanced as a city when compared to chicago...

 

[moops]

Originally posted by finnpipette
I'd go to NU based on the great location in chicago alone...osu is a great school, and exmike, i might just end up being your classmate there, but overall i feel that columbus i less balanced as a city when compared to chicago...

not sure if that justified an extra 30g's for someone in a financial crunch though

 

[Lhickz22]

I'm in the same position as the OP, I loved Northwestern and am so excited that I got accepted. Growing up in Florida and going to college in Gainesville, I am dying to get out of here in be in a big city while I'm still young and can enjoy it. I've also been accepted to UF which is WAY cheaper, but I think being in Gainesville for 4 more years will stink big time...the cost situation is also bugging me...I'm weighing my desire to get out of Gville with the cost ...Any thoughts???

 

[bella_dottoressa]

I think Columbus is a great city...ok, I know it isn't comparable to Chicago but it has a lot of perks! There's lots to do, and the OSU atmosphere is really great. It's big enough to where you have all the cool things about a city but you can also have a car, a ~$450/month apartment, etc. OSU has great facilities too, although I can't speak to Northwestern's. Plus, with that cost savings...Only you can decide where you would be most happy, and I completely advise going there, however my personal opinion is that OSU/Columbus is a great place to be 🙂

 

[Auricae]

Yeah, this is exactly my problem Lhickz22. Four years is a large chunk of our youth. Shouldn't we spend it in an environment where we will enjoy ourselves? This is why I am considering deferring for a year. I want to have a year to enjoy my youth and do something fun.

On the other hand, I am not sure if those four years are worth the financial stress that will follow after I graduate. Perhaps people who have already graduated from medical school can offer some insight here. How many years is it taking you all to pay back your loans and is it more or less difficult than you imagined?

As far as Columbus being a great city ( I grew up in Columbus so perhaps I am a bit biased ), but I find it is awfully boring. Chicago has everything you could want: opera, theaters, jazz and blues clubs, amazing restaurants, museums, major sports, tons of cool bars, etc. I know that Columbus has a lot of these things as well, but I never find myself bored in Chicago while I find myself in a perpetual state of boredom in Columbus. That's just me though, and I am sure others have had different experiences.

 

[Horseradish99]

Just to clarify for you, Aur, OSU's independent study program does NOT have 0 class hours for the first two years.

For one, everyone goes through anatomy the first twelve weeks, so you're in class for that. After those 12 weeks are over, you can designate yourself independent study and stop going to MOST lectures. However, you are enrolled in Patient-Centered Medicine (PCM), Physician Development (PD), and also a CAPS course (I can't remember what it stands for). All of these are courses that meet less regularly but require you to come in for small groups or lectures.

It's only been 5 weeks since the Independent Study people split off from the Integrated Pathway classroom people, so it might change later, but for now, I still see the Independent Study students at least once or twice a week for a lecture or two.

Even so, I have not yet met an independent study person who hasn't been totally sold on it. They seem to LOVE the flexibility and (go figure) independence. However, they do gripe a little about having to come in on a random Tuesday morning for a lecture for PCM or something.

Can't comment on NW at all... but I love OSU!

 

[lola]

doesn't northwestern have a debt cap? or is that only for older students?

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

you can make any school a "independent" study process. whatever school you decide to go to, you'll find people who never show up to class and study on their own.

i'm curious if anyone has the match list of OSU last year.

for northwestern's match list, it is @ http://www.infoplex.northwestern.edu/class/alumni/match/2003match.html

 

[NotShorty]

If you're physically active, OSU is now constructing a new (giant, awesome) recreation facility a short walk from the med school.

Not a deciding factor, but something to consider. There are plenty of honeys in our old, run-down rec center. Just imagine walking around spandex-city in an "OSU medicine" t-shirt.

-NS

 

[Auricae]

Thanks for the clarification Horseradish99.

In response to lola, they do have a debt-cap program, but I think you have to be designated a fairly needy student in order to really benefit from it. I hear NU doesn't give much in the form of grants/need-based aid. I have friends who go to NU, some of whom are fairly needy, and they didn't recieve that much money from NU.

 

[StrngoutAS]

I think it's been posted before but I believe the debt cap is based on the average debt of the graduating class at the end of four years... above that and NW helps you out. 135,000 or so was the figure for class of 2003. The way I figure it, for those of us that are pretty much doomed to go out of state (for various reasons) this seems pretty reasonable since out of state tuition plus living expenses always seems to hover around the 50,000 mark.

50,000 for four years means that debt cap theoretically should do wonders...

I just bring this up b/c it seems to contradict Auricae's last post and I was lookin for some clarification from perhaps any current NW students that hada better handle on the situation.

 

[Auricae]

So I spoke to a financial aid officer there, and here is the example he gave me of how debt cap works:

Assume that after you turn in your financial paperwork, it is assessed that you should contribute 10,000 per year. However, your budget for the year is 60,000. Therefore, you will have to take 50,000 in need-based loans. After 4 years, you will have accumulated 200,000 in need-based loans. Therefore, NU will knock off the extra 65,000 so that you only owe 135k (the class average).

But the above scenario assumes you were only expected to contribute 10,000. If you are more well off, you could be expected to contribute 20, 30 or even 40 thousand, which qualifies you for a much smaller need-based loan, although you can still get normal loans if you really can't pay the contribution they expect.

So lets assume you have to contribute 30,000 per year. Then, you would qualify for a need-based loan of around 30,000 each year x 4 years, which is 120,000. Therefore, you would not benefit from the debt-cap at all.

If they ask you to contribute 30,000 and you end up taking out loans for the entire amount (60,000 each year, or 30k in need-based loans and 30k in regular loans), you end up with 200k + in loans, but the debt cap doesn't help you since your need-based loans are still under 135k even if your total loans exceeds this amount.

In conclusion, they will only knock off need-based loans that exceed the class average, but not normal loans, and the amount of need-based loans you will be granted depends on how much they expect you to contribute out of your own pocket. So if you are expected to contribute a lot, you won't benefit from the debt-cap.

I guess my conclusion is: NU will expect most people to contribute a significant amount, qualifying them for little need-based loans and making it unlikely that they will be able to use the debt cap. Of course, some people will benefit, but I am guessing the majority will be at or below the debt cap.

This is my understanding of the system after my talk with the officer. I may be wrong, so PLEASE tell me if I am!

 

[Auricae]

Any other thoughts from people who have dealt with this or a similar choice?

 

[exmike]

Originally posted by Auricae
Any other thoughts from people who have dealt with this or a similar choice?

no. but ill tell you if by some fluke chance i get into a UC

 

[ehd327]

NotShorty,

Will the rec center be built by next year? I am actually interviewing at OSU in Feb., and the rec center (+ OSU honeys!) might be factor in my decision. It would be nice to get out of the socal scene for a 'brief' 4-year 'vacation' in Columbus. Let me know.

 

[exmike]

Originally posted by ehd327
NotShorty,

Will the rec center be built by next year? I am actually interviewing at OSU in Feb., and the rec center (+ OSU honeys!) might be factor in my decision. It would be nice to get out of the socal scene for a 'brief' 4-year 'vacation' in Columbus. Let me know.

You psycho!!! You want to abandon SoCal for columbus? 😱 What kinda buddha are you smoking?

On the "Osu" hunnies. Do you realized the freshman at the gym will be 17, maybe 18 years old?? (that would be 9 years younger than me when I start). More like OSU babies. Maybe you like it that way 😛

 

[ehd327]

ExMike,

Just a change of pace, i guess. I think you're right about the 17 and 18 year-old babies (Forgot about that part). But you never know......OSU has graduate schools....so there might be a 22-24 year-old Jennifer Garner look-alike that is interested in the new guy from SoCal. I man can dream!

 

[ehd327]

I heard Ohio and Texas are the two states most represented by Playboy bunnies. True?

Sorry Auricae, I'm way off topic!

 

[DrWuStar]

Originally posted by Auricae
I guess my conclusion is: NU will expect most people to contribute a significant amount, qualifying them for little need-based loans and making it unlikely that they will be able to use the debt cap. Of course, some people will benefit, but I am guessing the majority will be at or below the debt cap.

This is my understanding of the system after my talk with the officer. I may be wrong, so PLEASE tell me if I am!

i think you are correct -- they base your expected contribution on your parent's income unless you have supported yourself by earning at least $2000 per month for at least 30 months. if you meet those criteria, you will be considered independent, and your expected contribution will be very small or zero.

i qualify as independent. woo-hoo!! debt cap for me!!

 

[RoccoWJ]

Ohh man the new rec center will be totally awesome....I can't wait till med school! Anyone else that is at Ohio State right now or anyone else that will be in my class, you can IM me at

AIM: Rocpen321


Hope to see ya'll next year!


Rocco

 

[exmike]

Originally posted by RoccoWJ
Ohh man the new rec center will be totally awesome....I can't wait till med school! Anyone else that is at Ohio State right now or anyone else that will be in my class, you can IM me at

AIM: Rocpen321


Hope to see ya'll next year!


Rocco

so you'd take osu over case?

 

[RoccoWJ]

Got to get into Case First to decide....Dean Horowitz was soo inspiring and compassionant towards medicine.......but OSU was nice also...tough call.......i would like to actually just have OSU and no more...that would make the final decision a lot easier!