what would you do??

[PunkyBug]

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just curious what others' opinions would be..... i applied to UPenn and got in (unexpectedly!!) and i have an interview coming up at UF. i'm primarily interested in small animal, but i'm also looking into exotics/wildlife. both programs seem very good. UPenn would cost be about twice as much as UF, but it seems like such an awesome school!! based on whatever anyone knows about their programs, what would your decision be? money is, of course, a factor, but right now i just want to compare the programs as objectively as possible. thanks in advance for any help i can procure. 🙂

 

[ri23]

I would recommend going to Florida. You will get a great education - and if you take the initiative you can seek out some amazing externships that will get you more experience into exotics. Actually, I think Florida has a better exotics program than Penn, though I might be mistaken. I think Penn is an amazing school, but it is certainly not worth getting into that much debt, especially when you have amazing externship opportunities in Florida.

 

[athenaparthenos]

I've heard that Florida is really good for exotics. I'd definitely do the interview at Florida and see how you feel about the school -- you may end up loving it, you may leave it feeling cold. Personally I'm holding out for Western, which would be the most expensive of the schools I've applied to, but I feel the curriculum would be very well suited to me and so despite the cost, I'd prefer to go there. Go to Florida and see how you feel, and visit Penn if you can, that will give you an idea of how much you like the schools and if Penn would be worth the extra money or not to you.

 

[philomycus]

I think someone last year was in the same position as you are (same exact schools) if I'm not mistaken. I'd save the $$. UF does great exotic work.

 

[banditalfi]

I would definitely stongly consider Florida. I'm currently deciding between Penn and Cornell and I am leaning towards Cornell because, frankly, Penn is just way too expensive.

 

[PunkyBug]

wow, thanks for the input (and so quick!). i'm definitely going to the Florida interview and see how i like it compared to Penn. we'll see how it goes (crosses fingers). good luck to everyone else! 🙂

 

[cwazy cat lady]

I agree that cost is definitely an important factor. Think about what you could do to supplement your education if you had a bit more money available.. (or simply less debt). You could go on special trips or get involved in someone's research in the summer, opportunities that likely will cost you money rather than the other way around...

That's why, as much as I am obsessed with going back to Europe to study (ie; at Edinburgh), my in-state (WSU) would be such a better deal and might allow me to take cool trips and participate in things I might not otherwise have... ??

But, you'll get a better feeling when you interview/visit... You'll probably have less trouble making your decision.

 

[NittanyKitty]

Cost for me would be really important in this decision. I kind of have the opposite problem. Next year, when I apply, Penn is going to be one of my last choices. It's my in-state school, but there are places I can go that will cost me LESS in OOS tuition than to attend the university ninety minutes from my home town. Save your money if you can! 🙂