Is Chicago actually affordable?

kitkatkatie
Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:34:47 +0000

One thing that got me that I’ll address: as far as having relationships with professors, I’ve been in classes of 20 and classes of 500. Even in the large classes, I was able to have a report with the professor by going to office hours and asking questions after class. It really isn’t all that different from any other school. You just have to make an effort. I have good relationships with professors at CU.

As far as being with all the people you’ve been in HS with… like you said, CU is a big school. And, you’re 45 minutes away. 45 minutes is a long enough drive to be a decent parent buffer space. And, because it’s such a big school, you can easily avoid people. I’ve done it.

I know you’re trying to convince yourself to go to chicago, even if it means taking on all that debt. It’s ultimately your decision. I’m just saying that CU is a good option. A great option, even. It’s your money, but if I were you, I’d think long and hard about taking on that much debt at such a young age, especially as you’ll have four years of medical school tuition (with few scholarships or financial aid) and then another 3 years of residency where you get paid almost nothing, and then more time of being paid almost nothing if you want to do a specialty. That’s a TON of interest… I would want to try to cut down on that as much as possible. But, that’s what I would do, maybe not what you would do.

I know a couple pre-meds at CU. One of them has a great report with his ochem prof and will hang out at his office regularly. It’s not hard to get personal contact and attention. I understand it’s not the solid liberal arts core of chicago. That sucks. I know. But, is that worth all of that debt plus 11+ years of interest?

It’s all up to you. I’m just saying that CU is pretty darn great, and I’m sad that you’re not excited about it.