<p>You’ve gotten good advice here already on both sides. I just want to say that “worthiness” has nothing to do with need-based aid. It is a strictly financial equation. </p>
<p>I also think you should consider a few more points.</p>
<p>I am far from a financial aid expert. But consider this: if your family income is in excess of, say, $200K, with no other kids in college and reasonable savings in place, you may not be likely to get FA anywhere. On the other hand, if your family income is lower than $100K and your parents own a business, the situation may be more complicated, and you might benefit from an appeal. Never discount the possibility of an appeal.</p>
<p>Something else to consider is whether your parents will, if the day comes, actually be willing and/or able to help you pay for med school. If they already have $X socked away in a college fund and there is no possibility that they will need to draw on that money because of changes in circumstance such as health issues and/or job loss, that is one thing. But that is not necessarily the case.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is your siblings, if you have any. Would $60K+ for Dartmouth drain the family resources so that there would be little or no choice left for them? There is also the possibility that if you eventually have siblings in college at the same time that either you or they will be awarded some need-based aid.</p>
<p>cptofthehouse is right about really looking at your family’s financial situation. For some families, the difference between OU and D would mean forgoing a cruise or two. For others, it would mean real sacrifice, significant debt, etc.</p>