Deciding between (USC+big merit scholarship) VS (???)

SoProudofMyChildren
Wed, 06 Apr 2016 21:59:43 +0000

@Hawkwings
All good questions.
The Stamps $12k enrich, Entertaining fund as far as I understand it is like a slush fund for educational related use. This could be programs/courses outside regular admission, research participation for your time committment, or equipment etc.
My child’s major is Biomedical Engineering should medicine not stay in the future. Although I am not sure how much I agree, many people argue that most future compensation is driven by what you do and your major, independent of which university. They say this is especially true for Stem majors. I guess this would argue in favor of UM, along with the again general belief that med schools care more about GPA, mcat, and premed related ECs than where you get your degree from; again arguing for UM.

If money and GPA concern for med school (3.8+) were not a consideration, my child would pick USC for the similar but slightly better vibe and school spirit, honors dorm optoon, and slightly better weather than Miami. Now you see the subtlety in our decision. The schools are ultra similar once you leave the rankings list.

Many people say that borrowing up to one years expected salary is still reasonable for a good education. Should premed not work out (unlikely to. Ot follow in my wife’s physician tracks), nothing will be borrowed. Adding 80k to med school loans will keep total debt right around the 1 year salary for surgeons etc.

I think the coin toss is coming too just to alleviate the stress of delaying the decision without attaining any additional differentiating information despite our efforts.