Vanderbilt vs. USC (full tuition)

[teal7247]

Hi everyone,

Feel really grateful to be accepted to these schools and would love to get your input on this tough decision!

Vanderbilt
Pros

• 1 year preclinical w/ 2nd clinical pass fail and 3rd & 4th for research/electives
• Friendly student body/emphasis on wellness
• Located in the Nashville (originally from the South)
• Wonderful reputation/strong match list geographically
• Closer to family members/SO

Cons

• Would probably have to take out 80K each year in loans

USC
Pros

• Full tuition scholarship (will maybe borrow 30K for living expenses)
• Affiliated with county hospital/more opportunities to care for underinsured patients
• Friendly student body/emphasis on wellness

Cons

• 2 year pre-clinical curriculum
• Don't like/tired living in California (lived in Bay Area for past 6 years)
• Match list is predominantly CA places

Any thoughts greatly appreciated 🙂

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[freedoctor17]

I withdrew from vandy due to having to take out the same insane amount. I'd suggest you do the same. I feel like LA will be different enough than the bay area. Unless you plan on going to a super competitive specialty that will make it easy to pay off that 320k debt you take on. I'm biased though because I'm very averse to taking on debt.

 

[ilikecheeseandeggs]

Try and get Vand to match Doest hurt to try and call

 

[freedoctor17]

Try and get Vand to match Doest hurt to try and call

Their financial aid package literally said dont ask to match because they wont lol. They also said they wont redistribute scholarships when people withdraw. So pretty much it's all final.

 

[Woe_is_me23]

Their financial aid package literally said dont ask to match because they wont lol. They also said they wont redistribute scholarships when people withdraw. So pretty much it's all final.

Lol wow harsh

 

[freedoctor17]

Lol wow harsh

Ehh they give out a good number of scholarships, I just wasn't one of those fortunate enough to get one so I might just come accross as bitter about it haha. I think they're pretty generous, just not with need based, more on the merit end.

 

[LondonFog1997]

I withdrew from vandy due to having to take out the same insane amount. I'd suggest you do the same. I feel like LA will be different enough than the bay area. Unless you plan on going to a super competitive specialty that will make it easy to pay off that 320k debt you take on. I'm biased though because I'm very averse to taking on debt.

Username checks out😉. I actually agree though, I'm very debt averse and decided to choose the cheapest school rather than the most prestigious school. This decision honestly depends on what you value, being close to friends/family, prestige of the school, the amount of loans you will have to take out. I am positive you can match outside of California after going to USC since matching often seems to be a personal preference, I wouldn't look too hard at the match lists because I am sure a lot of people from USC want to stay in California.

 

[Rachapkis]

I would choose USC principally because of the cost difference. Moreover, that USC students generally match in CA does not mean that USC students do not receive their first or second choices. I imagine their match list is skewed to CA because students that attend USC want to say on the West Coast.

 

[puahate]

My heart says Vandy but my mind says USC

 

[jamaisvu]

get that full tuition

 

[LukaDoncicLuk]

320K vs 120K


This is an easy decision.