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deleted371318
Hi guys,
I have been debating for the decision between two schools since early December and am still hesitating to choose one over the other. It would be very appreciated if you could give me sincere advice on that.
First, little about my background. Im a married Nor-Cal resident and have a 6 month old daughter. We plan to have the second one who would be 2 year younger than the first one. My parents-in-law also live here in Nor-Cal. It was the very fist time for me to experience the east coast area when I went to interview at Rutgers. On the other hand, my wife has never been there yet. I really loved the both after the interviews and will apply for 3 year scholarship hpsp program (no citizenship yet) wherever I would go. Here are MY pros and cons for each school.
USC
Pros: closer to Nor-Cal so that my parents-in-law can see my daughter sometimes (6-hour long drive but still possible), familiar with the surrounding in LA and thus my wife can adapt the new environment pretty easily, we have relatives living in LA, looser curriculum than Rutgers so I could spend some time with my family and especially after we get the second one in the future, maybe more beneficial if I practice here in CA ("everyone" recognizes the school name)
Cons: HUGE debt after graduation (approx. 150K difference with Rutgers or maybe more), challenging to decide where to live (near USC; Korean town is not perfect for my little daughter and quite expensive if the area is safe vs. away from USC; long time drive & 24 hour traffic), bigger class size (which might cause more competition and require survivorship on my own?), they said they would NOT expand the amount of living cost loan due to family members (leading to private loan maybe?)
Rutgers
Pros: relatively reasonable debt (they even guarantee the residency leading to adjustment of tuition rate), they said they WILL expand the amount of living cost loan due to family members, more family-like atmosphere, smaller class size (more cooperation maybe?)
Cons: barely possible for my parents-in-law to see my daughter, no experience in the east coast so that my wife & daughter might have some difficulties while getting used to the new environment and while I am busy with my school (will feel sorry), worried about cold weather & snowing in winter for my family members, more intense curriculum so I wouldnt have free time for my family esp. during 1st & 2nd years, relatively more challenging to go back to the west coast to practice (not many people here easily recognize the school name even after passing the West Regional board exam)
Overall, the amount of cost is the major reason if I would choose the Rutgers. If there would be a guarantee that I would get in the hpsp program, I would choose USC bc my family is important. The thing is there is no guarantee (actually pretty competitive to get in right?). What would you choose if you were in my shoes? Why?
Any advice will be very appreciated and thanks in advance.
I have been debating for the decision between two schools since early December and am still hesitating to choose one over the other. It would be very appreciated if you could give me sincere advice on that.
First, little about my background. Im a married Nor-Cal resident and have a 6 month old daughter. We plan to have the second one who would be 2 year younger than the first one. My parents-in-law also live here in Nor-Cal. It was the very fist time for me to experience the east coast area when I went to interview at Rutgers. On the other hand, my wife has never been there yet. I really loved the both after the interviews and will apply for 3 year scholarship hpsp program (no citizenship yet) wherever I would go. Here are MY pros and cons for each school.
USC
Pros: closer to Nor-Cal so that my parents-in-law can see my daughter sometimes (6-hour long drive but still possible), familiar with the surrounding in LA and thus my wife can adapt the new environment pretty easily, we have relatives living in LA, looser curriculum than Rutgers so I could spend some time with my family and especially after we get the second one in the future, maybe more beneficial if I practice here in CA ("everyone" recognizes the school name)
Cons: HUGE debt after graduation (approx. 150K difference with Rutgers or maybe more), challenging to decide where to live (near USC; Korean town is not perfect for my little daughter and quite expensive if the area is safe vs. away from USC; long time drive & 24 hour traffic), bigger class size (which might cause more competition and require survivorship on my own?), they said they would NOT expand the amount of living cost loan due to family members (leading to private loan maybe?)
Rutgers
Pros: relatively reasonable debt (they even guarantee the residency leading to adjustment of tuition rate), they said they WILL expand the amount of living cost loan due to family members, more family-like atmosphere, smaller class size (more cooperation maybe?)
Cons: barely possible for my parents-in-law to see my daughter, no experience in the east coast so that my wife & daughter might have some difficulties while getting used to the new environment and while I am busy with my school (will feel sorry), worried about cold weather & snowing in winter for my family members, more intense curriculum so I wouldnt have free time for my family esp. during 1st & 2nd years, relatively more challenging to go back to the west coast to practice (not many people here easily recognize the school name even after passing the West Regional board exam)
Overall, the amount of cost is the major reason if I would choose the Rutgers. If there would be a guarantee that I would get in the hpsp program, I would choose USC bc my family is important. The thing is there is no guarantee (actually pretty competitive to get in right?). What would you choose if you were in my shoes? Why?
Any advice will be very appreciated and thanks in advance.
