I was accepted into both CMU and Oxy, but choosing between the two has been extremely difficult! I’m majoring in psychology on a pre-med track, however i’m planning on attending physician assistant school after college graduation. I know that CMU is not known for their pre-med program, but students can take classes at University of Pittsburgh which would be a major benefit for me.
I currently live in PA, but the location of Oxy is ideal for me. I’m mainly stuck in between choosing the location and premed program offered at Oxy and academic prestige of CMU. Both schools offered me generous financial aid. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!
Here are some factors to consider if cost is relatively the same at each school:
The quality of the food. This becomes important when you’re eating on campus day after day. Can’t speak to CMU but I like Oxy’s food and my daughter hasn’t tired of it yet.
Are you comfortable living far from home? This means you’ll be on campus for Thanksgiving and long weekends. No quick trips home when you’re sick. And it’s going to cost more when you do go home.
Weather: is L. A. weather a plus? It’s hot on campus August through October. Most freshman dorms do not have a/c. It’s a casual liberal campus. Does this appeal to you?
On the other hand this is an opportunity to live somewhere different than where you were raised.
Hope this helps.
If the financial situation is similar for CMU and Oxy, then I would definitely go for CMU. You can always move out to Cali after school when you have a degree from an amazing and well known school like CMU. Oxy on the other hand is not as well known, and I don’t think will offer you the same opportunities.