I need help picking a school in New England

deskjet123
Thu, 10 Apr 2014 04:13:25 +0000

Our D has to make to pick a school soon. She will be majoring in Biology and wants attend Med-School

She likes HC little better than PC but not much. She know HC is better rank school and they have great alumni. She likes the city of Providence though. I heard the grading curve is tough at HC. Also, I am hearing from other people on CC that the undergrade school you attend does not matter when applying to Med-School. I thought better school like HC would matter but people are telling me it does not.

This is our first and only child if I had to do it all over again I would of had her applied to Honors College at a State U. It would of been lot cheaper. I did not know about those programs when we stated this process. To late now. She got scholarships from Stonehill College and Wheaton College, MA too but she really does not want to attend those schools.

Daughter’s Rank by School she got accepted:

1. Holy Cross, MA: $57K - $0 = $57,000

2. Providence College, RI: (Accepted to Honors Program): $57.5K - $18,000 (Merit)= $39,500

3. Stonehill College, MA: $52K - $20,000 (Merit)= $32,000

4. Wheaton College, MA: $57K - $20,000 (Merit) + $9,000 (Grant) = $28,000

** Wheaton: $9,000 Grant is need-based scholarship because my wife lost her job 4 months ago and I appealed the FA (which was $0) that they gave us back in early March and they awarded us $9,000 more this week. However, they will review our income at the end of the year and they could pull back some of the money if my wife gets a job and and our income gos up. Also, we might not receive Grant money every year. It matters what our income is. Therefore, I cannot count on it every year.

Also, HC might give us about $5,500 Grant because I am appealing our FA package which was $0 (other than FA loans). I will find out about the $5,500 by next week. Again, like Wheaton if my wife starts work again that money might go away. Also, it might not be guarantee every year so I do not think I can count on it every year because of our income. HC does not give Merit Scholarships.

HC is my daughters number one school and PC is second. She loved Boston College but did she got waitlisted at BC and Bates College. She thinks Stonehill and Wheaton (MA) are ok but she not thrilled of the schools. Wheaton seems to have different student body than other three schools. I guess little more artsy or earthly. I am not sure that accurate but it seems that way and what I read on CC. We only visit the school once and I am not sure. It could be great school. Also, She thought HC and PC was more of a fit.

Couple questions.

1. The best school on that list above is HC. Is it worth the money vs PC - $17,000 year x 4 years= $68,000 total. I would have to borrow the $68,000 difference too.

2. I know HC is the best school on the list above but I also assumed PC is little better school (not much) then Stonehill College and Wheaton College, MA. Is that true?

Your help would be appreciated.