Student is in-state for JMU; Pitt will cost $5K more for COA plus travel costs from northern Virginia (drive for move-in/move-out, but flights to DC for holidays). Student is more excited about Pitt but worried about getting into/doing well in big, competitive science labs, whereas JMU limits the same labs to 100 students. And of course, with med school on the horizon, it’s important to limit costs for undergrad. But also important to maximize chances of getting into med school.
If med school doesn’t happen (which for a majority of “pre-meds” is the outcome) which U provides the most opportunities- intellectually, socially, artistically, etc.?
Either will be fine for pre-med, but for many students-- it just won’t happen. So picking on the basis of a “maybe kinda sorta” seems illogical to me.
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If he likes Pitt more and the 5k aren’t a big problem, I’d let him choose.
At Pitt, his first semester would likely be
Math 220 (large lecture)
Chem 110 (large lecture, small lab) unless he takes the honors version
English Composition 200 (small class)
Psychology 100 (large lecture unless he takes Honors version)
Spanish 004 or 120 (he’d likely have to take it through Spanish Writing&Health) or another foreign language (small)
Second semester would include Chem, Bio, Biostats, Sociology, and Spanish 120 or 125/other FL.
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Pitt only costing $5K more OOS than an in-state option is pretty good! Doesn’t mean that difference is comfortably affordable. But if it IS comfortably affordable, and your kid likes Pitt better, I think it would be rational to choose Pitt.
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Thanks, he chose JMU!
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