I think you should sit down with your parents and discuss finances, especially given your concerns about your parent’s financial situation and your plans for some type of professional degree. A plan for paying for all of this should be discussed.
Rutgers is a great school, but there is some crime in the area. The same goes for Pittsburgh or any other city. You will not find an area with no crime.
Is Pittsburgh, Minneapolis or Cleveland different ? Have you visited each ? Cleveland isn’t downtown. Pittsburgh is in Oakland and Minnesota just off downtown. @twogirls is spot on. This is an 8 year, not four year journey. It’s time they get into the weeds on what they can truly pay, knowing you can only get $200k in federally backed loans for undergrad/med school combined and $100k if another major is chosen.
If you are concerned with urban ness due to the perception of crime ( I don’t know the data), JMU would be a great alternative, especially if in state. Would it have a medical facility like VCU, I don’t know. But big city it is not !!
I have not had the opportunity to visit Case nor U Minn. So I don’t really know what it is like. JMU does not have medical school nor a hospital. It’s in a small town and known in the state for its nursing school.
I don’t mind crime in a city because every city is gonna have it no matter where I go. But, I do mind the level at which it exists in Richmond, especially the area around the VCU campus
I have tried to discuss the cost with my parents but they keep saying that they are willing to pay if I will make the most out of it. So don’t really know what to do. My parents told me to commit to GW, but I don’t really think its worth the price. Plus it is not economical in the long run.
Well as long as they know the cost up front plus $400k for med school, you can trust them. Or ask - can you afford this and grad school ? Many parents shy their finances from their kids why did they pick GW? Did you tell them it’s your #1?
GW is a fine school - but more urban than campus like the others. Do you like a lack of main campus. It has a campus but not traditional - although it has the Vern a few miles away for early year students.
If cities make you nervous, you won’t like UMN.
The reason why my parents like GW is because it is only a 15min metro ride from where I live and a 30 min drive. I will be a commuter if I go there, so that might reduce the cost. They also think that it is prestigious and believe that the city will give me an advantage in terms of opportunities. But from what I understood when I visited, I have to grab what ever I can. GW is not going to help me secure anything or give me any sort of advantage.
I don’t mind cities at all, but I would prefer a more traditional main campus vibe. But cities would provide more opportunities, therefore I am willing to adapt my preferences.
As a parent, I disagree with yours. You should (unless for someone reason you can’t afford to or don’t want to) - but going away to college is a huge part of the experience, part of your growth, etc.
I personally don’t see GW as “prestigious.” It’s different than UMN, Pitt and Case - but I’m not even sure I’d see it as better for government roles. I see it, personally, as overpriced - but perhaps you got strong merit there.
Now it is known for public health but you know, one can work in public health from a variety of majors. And in DC you have lots of competition. All your four schools will have public health or governmental opportunities.
Pitt is a health care beast - so if they cared about prestige and given the likelihood of further schooling, I wouldn’t - but it might take the cake here for most prestigious. But UMN and Case are both top universities - but different - with UMN being a huge public, Pitt being a mid large, and Case on the smaller side. Case, of course, has medical facilities nearby as will UMN.
I’m not a fan of ranking, but if you used US News, everyone’s favorite - and I’m looking at the schools, Case 51, GW and UMN tied at 59, Pitt is 69,
Frankly, you should go away to school - my opinion.
Assuming you need grad school, then you can go to GW - but going to GW takes away your chance to grow, mature, and gain independence.
Here’s the other thing - I looked at college raptor, nurse journal, and masters in public health (which runs an undergraduate rank) - and none of your four schools are in anyone’s top of the top.
That doesn’t mean they’re not good - rankings are just that.
Personally, I’d choose any school but GW. Why?
So I’ll disagree with your folks. Internships are everywhere - and many schools have a DC semester if you want to study there. But I assure you there will be many opportunities in Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Cleveland and Richmond (VCU) as well.
Best of luck.
I love Pitt, but I have not seen the others (other than passing by GW while in DC). Pitt is a premed/prehealth power house with loads of opportunities. The school takes over the city and there is an excellent bus system.
That would be my choice (at least right now). However….you really need to sit down and figure out a plan to pay for medical or some type of graduate school. If your parents are good with 6-8 years of schooling, please disregard.
I would also compare crime statistics between VCU and the schools on this list. VCU is really your best bet, but you have to be comfortable.
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