DC26 is trying to decide between the three. College Park Scholars (and in state) at UMD, honors colleges plus very nice scholarships at UMass and UF.
Thoughts from the brain trust?
1 Like
Wait to see if UMD awards a scholarship. They should be out in a few weeks
2 Likes
Do any of them expense wise - impact grad school?
That’s question #1.
UMD is $31K- ish for tuition room & board
UF is $45K-ish with rumors of substantial increases to come for OOS
UMASS is $60K ish - so I’m assuming you are low 40s but don’t know.
One is substantially cheaper.
If that’s not an issue, then things to think about:
-
Travel - gotta get to Amherst (can drive or fly and bus) and the same with Gainesville. You can actually fly into Gainesville - it’s 20 minutes or so from campus
-
The environment are very different - Amherst more a college town
-
Food and dorms at UMD are known to be no good but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t changed. UMASS has the top rated food in the country.
-
Sports / Greek Life? UF is gonna be most prominent.
I’m not sure there is a this is better for pre-health call but rather which is best for her. You might check for LLCs in healthcare or Alabama has the McCullough Pre Medical Scholars Program. Do any of these three have something like that - where there’s education and a co-hort to work through the program in preparation for further schooling? I don’t see any on their websites but I might be missing them.
Really? Dorms — maybe, unless you’re in one of the fancy LLC dorms. But I’ve generally heard very positive things about the food from current students and parents.
In any case, since most students move to off-campus apartments after their first year, housing and dining probably shouldn’t be a major factor in the overall decision.
The OP’s child is choosing among the three schools listed in the title. I don’t see Alabama mentioned, and it doesn’t seem like the OP is looking to add other options.
3 Likes
Niche rates dorms a C- and food a B+. I’m still haunted by the poor student who died due to the bad dorm - but both dorms and food offerings change.
Kids move off campus - but mine still ate in the dining halls. Some can cook, etc. but others aren’t disciplined enough.
Just to have apples to apples, niche surveys put UMASS dorms at a B and food an A+. My counterpart in Phoenix once told me she’d eat in the dining hall above most any restaurant near home. I’m not sure what Va Tech and they do - but they do something right.
UF dorms a B- and Food a B+. I know many live off campus from the get go.
I’m high on the food thing because both mine suffered low blood sugar and then the entire experience is awful til they get the eating thing figured out.
I’m sure everywhere has good salads and basic staples.
Yahentamitsi dining hall opens with mixed reviews from UMD students
I did not suggest Alabama. I noted they have a special program for pre-health and said to check if any of these three schools had something like that (beyond just advising). I also noted - I don’t see any on their websites but I might be missing them. I also said to check for LLCs (Living learning communities) as they are themed and might have healthcare ones. For example, UF has one - linked below.
Please re - read. You made an inference that I clearly did not make.
”You might check for LLCs in healthcare or Alabama has the McCullough Pre Medical Scholars Program. Do any of these three have something like that - where there’s education and a co-hort to work through the program in preparation for further schooling? I don’t see any on their websites but I might be missing them.“
Pre-Health Living Learning Community | Housing & Residence Life
Congrats on 3 nice choices!
I would consider affordability, given grad school is in her future, as well as fit.
She will receive a great education at all 3.
3 Likes