I recently got off Wesleyan’s waitlist, and I am already committed to Rutgers for cell bio & neuroscience. I didn’t apply for financial aid at all because I was 99% sure I wouldnt be eligible for any need-based aid. Just to clarify, my parents are willing to pay either way, but we agree that Rutgers is financially more practical.
I am planning on majoring in Neuroscience but am unsure as to whether I would pursue a PhD or go to med school. This is where I wish I knew for sure what I wanted to do, because the difference in price over four years between Rutgers and Wesleyan would basically put me through med school.
I am leaning much more towards Rutgers at the moment, but wanted to get other opinions.
Here is a list of things I like and dont like about Wesleyan (from what I know so far)
much smaller class size (800 first years vs Rutgers is 3k)
more familiarity with teachers and mentors, therefore better LORs
less competition for research
i appreciate the open curriculum as someone who isn’t 100% sure what she wants to do in the future
dont like (other than the cost):
not an R1 school, while Rutgers is - worried that research won’t be as good
middletown CT is kinda in the middle of nowhere:
if I do end up pre-med, i dont think there are great clinical opportunities as there is only the local hospital nearby, while rutgers has its own university hospital
Thank you! I appreciate any and all advice on this.
I would stay at Rutgers, as I would want the security of knowing that the costs for medical school/grad school are covered…or significantly covered.
Neuroscience is a major that requires some type of graduate school. Rutgers is an excellent university with a lot to offer those going into a science or health care field.
This is true - but it’s also like saying that W Carolina is more financially practical than Rutgers because it’s $12 or $15K less, even out of state.
So if you can afford both - and your folks are willing to pay the delta - then sure, choose what you want.
But - that you are already noting that Rutgers can give you options that maybe Wes can’t from a financial POV - that’s HUGE - i.e. to have a lot less worry about grad school - should it happen.
Let’s look at your likes and non-likes:
Yes, the overall class will be smaller at Wes - at Rutgers, it will be closer to 8K, not 3K. But so what - you are in your world - you won’t interact with all 8K.
While will you have more familiarity with teachers and mentors at Wes? I call bunk to that. Kids have great rapport with profs at large schools - but you have to work at it. And kids have horrible relationships with profs at small schools - if they don’t work at it. You are the key.
Open curriculum can be a double edge sword - because what if you miss classes grad school or pre med want - and if you’re thinking pre med even if you don’t go that way, you’re going to take the required classes regardless. Many don’t know what they want to do in the future btw - many grads included - because they don’t even know the roles that exist, even if they have a major.
Less competition for research? There’s likely a higher percentage at Wes that want research but there’s likely opportunities for research at both. Both my kids went public (one large, one mid size) and I will tell you research is there if you ask. There is more supply than demand. Everyone says they want to do research - but not everyone actually does it. It’s nice to say up front - but you’ll have ample opportunity at both I’d imagine.
Now what you don’t like about Wes?
It’s not R1. Who cares? That’s so overrated - they will be doing lots of research at Wes. People act like that makes a difference in undergrad opportunities but I’m guessing it doesn’t.
Pre med - you can find opportunities most anywhere and in the summer.
Here’s what I think - if you were excited to go to Rutty to begin with, why change your mind now?
If you had this choice a month ago, what would you have chosen? You don’t have to pre-empt a choice just because another school accepted you after the fact.
I don’t know which you’ll like better - but I think your likes and don’t likes are bunk - but will the day to day be different given the school size, vibe, focus on arts at Wes, etc. Yes.. Which is better for you - I don’t know.
But you had me sold at - mom and dad can really help me with grad school if I go to Rutgers, but maybe not if I go to Wes.
That’s reason enough right there to stay the course.
Is the price difference $100,000 a year…because that’s likely what medical schools will cost should you get accepted to medical school.
You can take the required courses for medical school admissions at either college.
I think this is a decision only you and your parents together can make. Both are fine colleges, and you can do well at either. It comes down to costs and personal preference.
The thing is - you’re making the assumption that Wes is better than Rutgers - if all were equal - no grad school, etc..
It’s not but we are individuals and it may be better for a specific individual. May be….or Rutgers may be better for that individual (experience wise).
Even if grad school weren’t in the picture, a quarter of a million dollars is a lot for what is a commodity - a college degree in neuro.
That’s a big risk to take….regardless in my opinion. It probably took $375-400k b4 taxes to make that $250k and surely if not grad school, your family can find a good use of the money - retirement, helping you get established, etc.
Certainly you can get where you want to go in life from either school. However, the experience will be different at a LAC compared to a large public. Only your family can make this decision.
I think you’re wrong about the research opportunities at Wesleyan; there’s a ton of it going on and only a few hundred PhD students. Undergrads are constantly co-authoring papers. “Only the local hospital nearby”(how many do you need?)
TBH, it sounds like Wesleyan was a toss-in application (you don’t mention it in your Chance Me thread) and Wesleyan was really filling in its slots for science majors. But you really have to want the small college experience and your comments about Middletown “being in the middle of nowhere” and there being “only the one local hospital” tell me that your hearts not into it.
Only 16% freshmen with a premed intent actually complete the premed prerequisites. Of those, only 40% are admitted to even one med school. And you’re not even sure of your premed intent.
So, on the one hand, this uncertainty would make me disregard med school as a factor.
On the other hand, it doesn’t sound like you’re sold on Wesleyan and it’s a lot of money for an experience you may not be that interested in: how do you feel about sitting front and center in a large lecture hall (the best place if you want your professor to have an idea that you’re a student there) vs. sitting around a big table or in a classroom with 17 other freshmen where you cannot hide and must be ready? How do you feel about athletics and joining a club sport? How do you feel about the split campus (doesn’t bother you/does)?
If the answers don’t sway you toward Wesleyan then Rutgers is probably safer.
Wesleyan being far less urban than Rutgers is something that I prefer, I was only looking at it in terms of what it means for clinical experience. Really my primary concern is the cost, which i’m wondering if it’s worth it. My parents aren’t familiar with the colleges here, and the best info I can get about Wesleyan or Rutgers is from alumni or people who know others who go.
You will receive an excellent education at both schools. It will come down to your personal preference as well as having a plan to pay for medical or graduate school.
Only you can decide that. From an ROI POV, highly unlikely. But not everyone cares about ROI.
In the end, if Wes will put you in grad school debt because with a neuro degree you’ll likely be going - and Rutgers won’t - think of many years down the line about the weight of debt on your ability to make the choices you want in life. So it’s not just the four years.
Your comment on urbanness is odd. I would not call New Brunswick urban. Newark yea and they have a campus there but not NB.
And above in your don’t likes you said about Wes -
I’ll disagree with that that too.
Just because a more selective school - and need aware by the way - they want the $$$ - accepted you doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
Wow, T. You seem to have a lot invested in this decision. I think I know New Brunswick and Wesleyan a lot better than you do and the former is definitely urban and Wesleyan did not take the OP off the w/l because they needed their money. Wesleyan offered them a slot in the incoming class because they’re just opening a brand-new Life Sciences building with dozens of labs that will be involved in cutting edge research and they are anxious to fill it.
This ain’t necessarily so either. Most reputable PhD programs in neuroscience will be funded.
Do not assume that a smaller school will mean “better” letters of recommendation. It really comes down to you, what you do, and the relationships you build. Attending office hours regularly and sitting front and center helps build relationships in larger schools.
You cannot assume that a smaller school will have “less competition” for research. I have a colleague with a child who recently graduated from a well known LAC- she would not agree with you. All schools are different.
What does this mean? I disagree that research at Wesleyan “wont be as good.”
Most premeds do clinical work and shadowing at home during school breaks and gap years.
Wes is need aware and yes that’s who they pull. Your urban and my urban are different. And I lived in Bristol with a coworker in Middletown where I spent many a morning/early afternoon. And that’s in the 90s. And it is definitely not in the middle of nowhere except if two semi major cities a short drive away is the middle of nowhere
The student had made a solid choice up front because the logic was solid.
The student is talking about med school and if they don’t go, a masters is far more likely than a PhD - by many multiples and it’s unlikely to be funded. So only in a rare case (PhD) would it be funded. And even if it were, I’m sure the family could put $250k to good use, which likely took them $350-400k to make.
Ok I’m done but OP had made a decision I see no reason they should change that just because they got into a perceived more selective school - I say perceived because they can use wealth to pick and choose and many schools, in case of waitlist, seem to.
Best of luck to OP but your initial gut feel was spot on - if 100 kids had your same situation, 90-100, in my opinion, would be far better off in life (not necessarily during the four years) by going to Rutgers. Probably more than 90. Of course, many would enjoy Wes more than Rutgers during the four years and many would enjoy Rutgers more than Wes - that’s an individual thing.