Holocene

USC is also on my list. They offer about 140 full tuition scholarships. I have been getting mailings from UTD, St. Johns, etc.

You're definitely right here. I'm not expecting full tuition at Duke or WUSTL. I think my list needs some work, tbh. I'm pretty late in the game here, but I think I can make it work as I still have a couple months until RD apps are due.

So far schools that offer merit on my list are: Minnesota, WUSTL, Duke, UVA, USC, CC, Pitt, and UVM. I think I am going to add CWRU and 1 more guaranteed NM or NHRP scholarship.

Even if undergrad is debt-free, I am still worried about having over 200k in debt from medical school, but it doesn't look like there is another option besides the military, which I have pretty much ruled out.

bigreddawgie

my undergrad gives lots of scholarship money. make lots money while going to school.

mcat2

I think some med schools may even give a student like you a "better deal", even though the deal is generally not as generous as UG one. Some med schools may reserve some more generous scholarship for the diversity purpose.

If your rank at your competitive high school is also as high as your ACT score, say, top 1-2 per cents among your graduating class, it could also help you in landing a college which will pay you to go there. But the fact that your parent owns a small business (depending on how much assets are counted) may go againt you if you go to a school whose financial aid is purely need-based.

entomom

Yes, FA policies seem to hit business owners pretty hard, and also make it tougher to predict COA based on the NPCs since it's more complicated.

Both my kids were similar to you and I think you're on the right track. With your academic profile it makes sense for you to apply to some of the big, competitive scholarships, particularly those like WUSTLs Rodriguez that target Hispanics/URMs (also check out UMichigan's Shipman, but I'm not sure how much they give to OOS students as it's changed). Add to that a few schools with more likely merit awards and then a couple of guaranteed scholarship schools. That's a solid strategy.

Oops, that's on my list but I missed it for some reason .

WayOutWestMom

UNM offers a full ride to National Achievement Scholars also. It has a relatively late deadline.

Undergraduate Scholarships :: | The University of New Mexico

(OOS scholarships are listed near the bottom half of the page.)

limabeans

Before you diss Alabama too much, I'd seriously give it another look. I don't think you HAVE to only go to their main campus if the campus/location/etc doesn't appeal to you, but what they offer is truly outstanding. I'm sorry I didn't know to look further when my son was applying.

Holocene

That would be amazing.

Wow, I actually took Mich off my list because it seemed like they had no money for OOS students. It looks like Shipman is available to OOS students, so I will have to take another look. I agree with your assessment. I am adding Case Western and another more likely merit scholarship or two. Perhaps UNM (thanks WOWM!).

I don't doubt that Bama is a great school, but I don't think it would be a good fit for me for a variety of reasons. If I end up there, I will make the best of it and have a good time. It just isn't my first choice.

entomom

The Shipman used to be for full tuition, R&B (on campus only) for OOS students, I'm pretty sure they've cut down the tuition part but I don't know how much. If you apply and get as far as the interview weekend, just don't believe anything they tell you about special privileges for Shipman scholars (eg. access to full classes, choice of housing), it is strictly a money scholarship and other than a yearly luncheon doesn't include the perks that some of the other big scholarships like the Robertson and Jefferson do.

MiamiDAP

"Even if undergrad is debt-free, I am still worried about having over 200k in debt from medical school, but it doesn't look like there is another option "
-Did you ask your parents? Are you certain that they would not contribute? They might surpize you. And there are few free Med. Schools. Case actually have 30 - 32 spots at Cleveland Clinic Lerner......., it is free, I believe that Mayo is free of used to be free. It is not for everybody. As an example, Cleveland Clinic program does not have lectures....But it is worthwhile to apply. Especially that when you apply to Case Med. School, all you need is to check the box if you want to be considered for Cleveland Clinic and you can schedule interviews close enough to have them on the same trip (if invited to both). Something to consider. And there are few Merit Scholarships at Med. Schools. D. got one at OSU, but it was so low that it was not worthwhile to consider. However, there are full tuition or very considerable Merit awards. Not many of them though.

Holocene

Thanks entomom, I'll be careful when investigating.

Yeah, I have two younger siblings who will be in college while I would be in med school. On top of that, my family's business got hit pretty hard by the recession so my parents really need to focus on rebuilding their retirement.

I'm aware of Mayo and Cleveland Clinic and will definitely apply to both. Merit aid would be awesome too. I just don't think these are things I can count on.

MiamiDAP

"I just don't think these are things I can count on. "
-Not much more you can do. Loans are the way for most, I believe that about 25% are getting subisdized by parents, not sure about that. I would definitely focus on getting free UG education at this point, and it is very reasonable to assume success in your case, just research and be choosy where to apply

bigreddawgie

There are a lot more full tuition scholarships for med school than people think. Just keep on doing what you're doing right now and put yourself in the best position to land one.

Holocene

Okay, thanks a lot everyone! It sounds like I am on the right track.

entomom

Holocene, apologies for the brief hijack.

This is nice to hear, although I guess it's too late for D1. One question, is there any way other than word of mouth to know which schools might come up with some scholarship dollars? I wasn't able to locate this kind of information on websites, is there any way to know when constructing your list of schools to apply to, or do you just have to wait and see what schools offer?

somemom

I think you just apply widely and wait to hear the offer. IIR, some one on this board got some serious tuition awards at private schools, which brought the cost in line with the public school.

It would be interesting to hear the specifics of any awards people have seen