I like my school (Vanderbilt), the people I have met. I’m doing fine academically (3.7-3.8 but would like to do a little better), have gotten opportunities that I probably would not have gotten at my state flagship (not a bad school) due to the lack of job experience (never worked, etc.)
The only possible problem is the cost (I have the NM scholarship only for 20k for 4 years). It’s not breaking my parent’s bank but I don’t think they can just write a check for 250k no problem. I want to go to medical school so I’m considering those costs as well (500k might be a lot).
What should I do? Would it be better to just stay and take the loans later on or should I consider transferring?
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
If your parents can afford just stay, if they cannot transfer.
Stay! Too late for all these questions, should be asking them way back when you applied to coolge. You are happy, doing well, just stay…
One of the mantras on this forum is you should go to a college you fit in at and are happy because in such an environment you’re more likely to do well (GPA wise) which is something med schools care a great deal about. Here, you “like your school” and “are doing fine academically (3.7-3.8 but would like to do a little better), have gotten opportunities that I probably would not have gotten at my state flagship…’’ So, on this front, everything is good to go so far.
Another mantra is try to leave college with as little debt, if any, as possible as med school is often paid for by loans and is expensive. Here there is a concern. But assuming you do well on MCAT and have an otherwise competitive app, you should apply broadly but with an eye towards less expensive med school (ie home state) as your primary goal, and if accepted, be willing to matriculate. I guess the down side is what if you don’t get accepted to less expensive med school and are faced with going to a very expensive one. As I think debt is one of the worst 4 letter words in English language I can’t offer much more as whether to take on this potential debt burden at it’s a decision for you and family.
So as to fit, stay; as to cost??? Good luck.