<p>Okay so I’ve considered mentioning this before on this forum, due to the fact that I joined in the summer, but given my sitation I didn’t feel it would make a difference. On the SDN, I’ve noticed a good # of people mention how it’s a good idea for first time freshman to look into private schools due to the fact that they occasionally offer 10K scholarships to freshman, and possibly have many research opportunities (not sure if this completely valid or not). Prior to entering the CC I am currently attending and also prior to my high school graduation, I was accepted by and offered a regular merit scholarship of $34K at a private university, at $8,500 per academic year. At first I was completely on board with accepting the offer, simply because money was a factor in my case, and if a school is offering you help with your tuition, you take it, simple as that (my logic at the time). It wasn’t until I discussed this offer with my dad, that he convinced me it wasn’t going to be the most beneficial for me and with the remaining +20k I would have to provide after the scholarship, I would only land into extreme debt. Given the fact that my father’s perspective and mindset is one that is very scholastically-driven and making the best grades and attending the “best” institutions and at the same time remaining very “frugal”. I was completely against attending the CC and throwing away what I thought, for the most part was a beneficial opportunity in accepting the offer of the private university. (Sorry I know this a lot to read), it’s obvious that I am starting to regret my decision and really just need to know would I have been better off atending the private institution and reaping it’s potential benefits!!! I could really use some helpful, reassurance or advice! Anyone? Thank you in advance!!!</p>
<p>There are schools that will not accept CC prereqs for medical school, but that can easily be overcome by taking upper division science classes when you transfer to the university. You can also delay taking the majority of your prereqs at the CC and take them when you transfer. Take your general ed courses, get excellent grades and do well at your transfer school.
If the net cost of the private school was not cheaper then you did not get a bargain.</p>
<p>You’re suffering from Buyer’s Remorse and that’s pretty normal. But as MissBee said–if you couldn’t afford the cost of the private college then you couldn’t afford the cost of the college and all the regrets in the world isn’t going to change that.</p>
<p>What you need to do now is be proactive. (And stay away from SDN!)</p>
<p>–Take your transfer requirements and get top grades. </p>
<p>–Research carefully those public colleges that have transfer agreements with your CC and find several that are both affordable and offer the opportunities you want.</p>
<p>–Get involved in community service projects now. (They needn’t be medicine related). </p>
<p>–Find opportunities to do physician shadowing and clinical volunteering. (You don’t need to be enrolled in a 4 year to do either activity. Finding opportunities is going to take lots of asking and lots of rejection–but that’s true for almost everyone.)</p>
<p>–See if any research opportunities are available at your CC campus or if any of your instructors know of any available elsewhere. (This means going to office hours to talk to them, or hanging round after class to chat.)</p>
<p>–If you are from a low income or URM background, there are some summer medical research/internship programs specifically for individuals like you. Apply to them. </p>
<p>–Consider getting part-time job so you can start saving for the $5000+ cost of one round of med school applications. </p>
<p>–Realize that you will likely need to to delay your application to med school until after graduation since you’'ll need to have 2 full years of grades from your 4 year to have the strongest application possible. You’ll also the 2 years to make strong contacts with your future LOR writers. (Also realize this is not unusual and the median age for MS1s is ~24.5–and at some schools it’s even older.)</p>
<p>–Use your glide year wisely to shore up any weak areas in your application. </p>
<p>BTW, just attending a private (or a public) college doesn’t mean that things are simply handed to students. They have to be proactive too. Things like research opportunities may be easier to come by, but are by no means guaranteed. (And remember research is just one small facet of a much larger picture.)</p>
<p>I understand. I don’t like being regretful but I hate unseized opportunities and I let that get to me. Thank you both for your reassuring advice!</p>
<p>Not sure why your only options are CC or Private university…how about a Public university in your state?</p>
<p>Think about it this way…You are actually going to be “gaming the system”…You can to take some general ed courses at a CC, do well, and then transfer to your State University. There you will take your med school pre-requisites. Do volunteering while you are at the CC…you need to get in those volunteering hours, so do a bunch while your work load isn’t as bad. You save money on tuition at the CC (that you will want to use for med school) and then get the classes and diploma from your State U. Your State U will have many opportunities to do research or get to know a professor for letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>If you had gone to the Private U, you would be applying to Med Schools already $80K+ in debt!</p>