@ilovepizza27 - it doesn’t sound lucky that your parents are willing to cover half. Because Michigan is $320K - so where will you get $160K?
Thank god, you can only borrow $27K. They can borrow more - but do you want to have a $2K a month loan to pay back when you graduate? And that’s just undergrad - that’s criminal.
Sorry - there are no dream schools - all schools have bad roomies, profs, food - there just aren’t.
But - if your parents are willing to pay almost $400K for Penn, then why not others? But that’s a different question.
You need to find a school you can afford.
Unless you’ve earned big money and have a six figure savings, you cannot afford Michigan.
And I’m not sure what a top dental school is.
My long time CA dentist went to a Cal State and U of Pacific - and he was one of the top “well known” in San Diego. My current dentist in Nashville - who is fantabulous - went to Arkansas, both undergrad and grad.
I’m not sure I’d worry about pedigree - but I would worry about loans - you can read story after story after story of doctors who regret pursuing the field based on the financial aspects.
So Michigan isn’t reality for you - unless your parents are willing to pay or forgive your loans.
It’s time to learn that you need to live within your means before it’s too late and I’d suggest starting now.
You have a very expensive path ahead that you, on your own, even at 50%, can’t afford - unless you’re somehow wealthy.
So you need to venture forward slowly.
Michigan is a fine school - but so is Rutgers, U Del, SUNY B, Alabama, Ms State, Kansas etc. etc. - and at far less than half the price.
They all will get you to the same place!!!
Good luck.