<p>Hi, I’m a senior in high school and I applied to Georgia State and UGA. I was accepted to both. I was offered the opportunity to interview for the Netzel Scholarship for bio and chem majors at GSU. I was awarded the scholarship. The Netzel Scholarship covers unmet financial need for college expenses after considering the HOPE and other scholarships, grants, and research-related work-study funds, up to $10,000 per year. College expenses covered include: </p>
<ul>
<li>Tuition, fees, and books </li>
<li>The cost of housing in the University Commons (Honors dorms)</li>
<li>Funds to purchase a Georgia State University meal plan </li>
</ul>
<p>In addition, Netzel Scholars participate in a comprehensive program to develop their interest and skills in their discipline through an Honors Freshman Seminar, research group seminars, an Honors biochemistry course, support for undergraduate research opportunities and presentations at local and regional conferences, and opportunities to teach in Supplemental Instruction and Writing Across the Curriculum courses. The program also pays me $10.42 an hour up to 8 hours weekly for 15 weeks each semester in the research lab.
I am confused as to which university would be better and more beneficial to me as I am also desiring to be pre-med. Being a regular student at UGA or a Netzel scholar at GSU?
Any help is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I live in GA and if I were in your position, I would go to UGA. While both are good schools, I believe UGA is held higher than GA State. You also have HOPE, etc. and chances are that you will still go to UGA for free.</p>
<p>How so? If the OP hasn’t received a scholarship to cover room/board (and s/he hasn’t mentioned one) then it’s unlikely that s/he will at this point. Even with HOPE UGA is still somewhere around 9-10k a year.</p>
<p>OP, if going to UGA will put you in debt, go to GSU. If it would put significant financial strain on you/your family, go to GSU. If it would not, then you have a difficult decision to make. I think you will be able to go to medical school from either university, and that the opportunities you will get at GSU as a result of your honor might even serve you better in that regard. But no, Georgia State is not as good a school as UGA, and it lacks the trappings of a traditional campus life, such as…well, an actual campus for one. Sports, for another. Which do you prefer? That consideration has to come into it as well.</p>
<p>Financially, I could attend UGA. I do have HOPE and along with hope I have received sufficient scholarships up to $5,000 and there are still quite a few scholarships I have yet to hear from but should soon.
I have visited GSU and it does lack the campus feel of UGA’s.
I am just concerned that research and oppurtunies would be better at GSU considering the Atlanta area and the fact that I would have the opportunity to perform research earlier starting as a freshman instead of waiting and conducting research as a junior or senior, such as many do.
Is the honor of being a Netzel Scholar at GSU and being included in the Honors program held at equal prestige as graduating from UGA?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your previous advice! It really is helping.</p>
<p>Academically, if you do well in undergrad, you would be a competitive candidate for graduate programs/medical school with a degree from either university. UGA is the flagship, but GaState has assets because it’s a metropolitan university and closer the political power, funding etc. GaState is still in its infancy so to speak, as it remakes itself into a residential campus. Being in downtown Atlanta has pluses and minuses. If you’re not leaning one way or the other, think about which assets you’ll need/appreciate most from either school. Sounds like a 6 and 1/2 dozen situation to me, unless you insist on a traditional campus environment like you’ll find in Athens.</p>
<p>I do see your point. I’m not focused so much on a campus. I am really focused more on education and the value of it. Thank you everyone for your advice. I guess it’s just a matter of time before I decide.</p>