D1 graduated from the state flagship. Why? Close to home (parent & grandparent with terminal cancer diagnoses at time of high school graduation) and she had a full tuition scholarship good at any instate public university. Graduated with little debt. (Scholarship is offered to all in-state high school grads who meet certain high school GPA requirements.) Majors: physics & mathematics. Did med school pre-reqs in a do-it-yourself post-baccs at the flagship after graduation.
D2 graduated from a top 30-ish private research U that has an associated top 30 med school. Why? She wanted to go OOS and this college was the highest bidder—err…make that offered her the best merit aid package. (Full tuition plus a research grant to be used on a project of her choice. Scholarship based on combination of stats, ECs, community activism, leadership and “potential”.) She spent 2 years post-grad as a clinical research coordinator at a Top 10 med school while deciding between a MD and MD/PhD. Majors: biological neuroscience & mathematics.
Speaking as a parent–I saw very little difference in the opportunities available to each of my children. Both did research, received mentoring, held paid TA positions, were active in campus organizations, found clinical & non-clinical volunteer opportunities. Both were able to form meaningful relationships with their profs (despite that fact that D1’s state U is 15x the size of D2’s private U). However, both girls are pro-active self-starters and good at self-advocating.
The common denominator–both graduated with little debt, allowing them to pursue professional career plans post-grad.