Vanderbilt (with $) vs. Univ. of Florida (with $$$)

[ChubbyChaser]

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I think UF also pretty seriously underestimates the cost of living. Or at least, they estimate that you are a rather frugal person.

$550 for a computer? Well, yeah, you can buy one for that much, but, don't expect the nice treatment.

$3.10 per day for car maintenance? Hope you weren't planning on driving home from school cause that'll cost you extra if you live more than 5 miles away and your car gets bad mileage and/or you need to get a checkup/insurance for your car.

Yeah, ok, I'm just bitter I got such lousy aid. I admit it.

haha ok..i wasnt aware of this.

 

[pianola]

haha ok..i wasnt aware of this.

eh, it's still a really good deal, though.

But if you add up their living expenses on the web, they come out to something like $15-16,000 or thereabouts. Which is manageable if you have parents in the area. But I would be skeptical myself.

 

[pianola]

By the way, leewwjc, not that it matters at all, but under the circumstances you've described, I'd *probably* have chosen UF. I voted for Vanderbilt, but retrospectively that was a bit out of spite.

(To be honest, a certain part of me is glad that UF isn't giving me aid, since now I have total liberty to go to a school that I liked a little better. How ironic that an OOS private school ends up being cheaper.)

I think there are a lot of things to take into consideration, though: If you are single, not debt-averse, and very confident in your abilities to make it no matter where you might go, Vanderbilt may be the better choice for you. You seem to like the curriculum better as well, which is no small thing, really since you have to live with it for 4 years. Location? I don't know much about Nashville since I stupidly cancelled my interview at Vanderbilt early on this cycle (#1 regret from this application cycle). Gainesville's not too bad, really, although I think some ppl from south Florida find it unbearable. I really like Gainesville, though, and may find some way to get back here again in the future. Not sure, but we'll see.

About the rumors regarding UF being an unpleasant place to get an education: I don't really know if it's as unpleasant an environment as some people say. I would say the university as a whole is a nice place to be -- not many gunners at all. A lot of sweet kids, really. I know a number of kids who are currently in the medical school (they went to my high school). These kids certainly count as gunners, but I really have yet to find a school that is totally gunnerless.

I suspect either experience is very much a product of what you make of it. If you want clinical experience at UF, you can certainly get it, even if you have to try a little harder.

OK, I've posted in this thread too many times. Don't hesitate to let me know what your decision is or contact me with any questions I probably can't answer since I'm just a pre-med like yourself 🙂.

 

[Leejwwc]

By the way, leewwjc, not that it matters at all, but under the circumstances you've described, I'd *probably* have chosen UF. I voted for Vanderbilt, but retrospectively that was a bit out of spite.

(To be honest, a certain part of me is glad that UF isn't giving me aid, since now I have total liberty to go to a school that I liked a little better. How ironic that an OOS private school ends up being cheaper.)

I think there are a lot of things to take into consideration, though: If you are single, not debt-averse, and very confident in your abilities to make it no matter where you might go, Vanderbilt may be the better choice for you. You seem to like the curriculum better as well, which is no small thing, really since you have to live with it for 4 years. Location? I don't know much about Nashville since I stupidly cancelled my interview at Vanderbilt early on this cycle (#1 regret from this application cycle). Gainesville's not too bad, really, although I think some ppl from south Florida find it unbearable. I really like Gainesville, though, and may find some way to get back here again in the future. Not sure, but we'll see.

About the rumors regarding UF being an unpleasant place to get an education: I don't really know if it's as unpleasant an environment as some people say. I would say the university as a whole is a nice place to be -- not many gunners at all. A lot of sweet kids, really. I know a number of kids who are currently in the medical school (they went to my high school). These kids certainly count as gunners, but I really have yet to find a school that is totally gunnerless.

I suspect either experience is very much a product of what you make of it. If you want clinical experience at UF, you can certainly get it, even if you have to try a little harder.

OK, I've posted in this thread too many times. Don't hesitate to let me know what your decision is or contact me with any questions I probably can't answer since I'm just a pre-med like yourself 🙂.

Thanks Pianola, I'll let you know what I decide.

 

[Leejwwc]

I decided on Vanderbilt. Have withdrawn from UF. Food, hope you get my spot and gatorsforchrist, some of that money. 🙂 Best to all!

 

[pianola]

I decided on Vanderbilt. Have withdrawn from UF. Food, hope you get my spot and gatorsforchrist, some of that money. 🙂 Best to all!

😀 Yay for a decision made, lee!!

Congrats on finishing the decision-making process. Must be a great feeling.