Northwestern vs USC vs Case Western

[ycf06]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have been lucky enough to be accepted to several medical schools and am now deciding on which school in which to matriculate. I have narrowed it down to the following:
Northwestern Feinberg
Case Western University Program
USC Keck

I am determined to defer my acceptance for a year. Northwestern is my top choice school and they have already granted me a year deferral. None of the these schools have given me any merit scholarships (if they haven't told me by now I probably aren't getting any right?)

So it seems obvious to go with Northwestern, but my concern is financial aid. What are the chances that Case or USC will give me more grants than Northwestern? If chances are that I'll be paying about the same for each school, then I'll just not bother with the financial aid processes for USC and Case Western and stick with Northwestern.

At the USC interview, they kept bring up the fact that students there get a lot of financial aid/ grants/ scholarships throughout the 4 years that students are in school. Northwestern didn't really make this case or say much about scholarship/ grant opportunities. Can anyone speak on the scholarship/ grants awarded at these schools. If they are more or less equal, then I'll just withdraw from USC and Case without going through the painful financial aid application.

Thanks!

 

[raltima07]

You never know till you apply for F-aid, so just do it. I know it is painful but you will know 100% about your scenario; you can't really use anyone elses

 

[HatWobble]

Do you want to live in Chicago, LA, or Cleveland? There's your answer.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Northwestern, Northwestern, Northwestern!! OMG! At least that's what I'd choose. If you hate the cold you might be happier at USC.

 

[nadaba]

I wouldn't count on much from USC in the way of grants. Their average debt is skyhigh ($175k) compared to both Case (132k) and, to a lesser extent, Northwestern (156k).

Of course, the thing about financial aid is that you don't know what you're going to get until they actually give it to you. I would go through the financial aid process, even though it is a huge pain.

 

[sibitrum]

Also, don't forget about living expenses. LA or downtown Chicago vs. Cleveland is probably quite different.

 

[drizzt3117]

Northwestern >>>>>>>>> the other two.

 

[Ilovewater]

Will USC or Case grant you a deferral? If neither will, sounds like Northwestern is your best choice.