Is there a tipping point , full pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was premed at UVA but struggled and had to change their focus. To this day they regret not just going to VCU because they think they could have stood out there more - but of course in high school nobody turns down UVA for VCU.

What does "standing out more at VCU" do for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was premed at UVA but struggled and had to change their focus. To this day they regret not just going to VCU because they think they could have stood out there more - but of course in high school nobody turns down UVA for VCU.

What does "standing out more at VCU" do for you?

Gets you into their medical school, for one. Was I that unclear?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was premed at UVA but struggled and had to change their focus. To this day they regret not just going to VCU because they think they could have stood out there more - but of course in high school nobody turns down UVA for VCU.

What does "standing out more at VCU" do for you?

Gets you into their medical school, for one. Was I that unclear?

+1

What part of "it's easier to maintain a Higher GPA at VCU vs UVA or a T25 for premed" is that difficult to understand? And if undergrad is "slightly easier" you will be able to study for the MCATs while still in undergrad, and possibly go staight from undergrad to medical school without a year gap (many students are at schools that are so intense they don't have the time to do all of that while still in undergrad so they take a gap year)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was premed at UVA but struggled and had to change their focus. To this day they regret not just going to VCU because they think they could have stood out there more - but of course in high school nobody turns down UVA for VCU.

What does "standing out more at VCU" do for you?

Gets you into their medical school, for one. Was I that unclear?

+1

What part of "it's easier to maintain a Higher GPA at VCU vs UVA or a T25 for premed" is that difficult to understand? And if undergrad is "slightly easier" you will be able to study for the MCATs while still in undergrad, and possibly go staight from undergrad to medical school without a year gap (many students are at schools that are so intense they don't have the time to do all of that while still in undergrad so they take a gap year)

Yeah, I mean I could not have been more obvious if I spelled it all out in all caps. That poster was a dunce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Vandy and Colgate are all ~$80K+, and Austin OOSis 70K+. PP stated he got $16K scholarship--so tuition free for IN-state. Pretty smart to take that and run to the bank. VCU has an excellent premed program---he will be well prepared. Chem 101/102, Org Chem 201/202 and Biology 101/102 all cover the material at every university. To get into Med school you need a high gpa, research, great recommendation letters and a High MCAT. Much easier to get a high GPA at VCU than at any of those with all the weed out courses and high competition. He will easily get a 3.8+ at VCU. Not to mention he will likely get to do research, be more involved with professors as the big fish in the pond at VCU vs everywhere else. It's a win-win.
Financially, it's a no-brainer. His ultimately goal is medical school. He will get that debt free, not many people can say that. And the $64K he saves from undergrad will pay for a good portion of one year.

Blah blah blah if I made $650k I would not GAF about that or be trying to nickel and dime undergrad.

Well good for you. However, your kid might go to one of those Elite schools and struggle to keep a 3.9+ and stuggle to get into medical school. While this kid could be on a direct path to medical school at VCU (and likely is). Even if he wants to go elsewhere, he likely will have a 3.8/3.9+ GPA and well set to get in anywhere. Med school don't give you a leg up because you did undergrad at an elite school. They look at MCATs and your GPA/GPA for prereqs and your reserach/involment/volunteering. This kid as a top honors student at VCU will have the opportunity to excel at that. Not as much at Vandy---where 35%+ of the undergrads start wanting premed.

So feel free to throw away your money at college and possibly have your kid taking 2-3 cycles to get into medical school. Meanwhile, this kid will be almost thru medical school, with a tuition of only $34K/year for med school before your kid might even start medical school.
Just because you have money doesn't mean you throw it away.

You seem fairly logical until you insist on adding the judgy judgmental conclusion at the end. Then you've lost your case.

That's reality and not "judge"---the $250K+ saved on medical school and undergrad could be given to that kid for "starting life". Downpayment for a home, no debt from school leads to an excellent start at age 30. The previous posters stating you should pay for the elite schools is not the smartest financial advice. And yes, it is much easier to maintain a high gpa when at a "lesser school" Ultimately many kids do take multiple cycles to get into Med school/PA/PT/OT/etc schools. It's competitive. GPA and MCATs are key requirements and any kid that got into the elite schools listed will probably have an easy time maintaining a very high gpa at VCU in premed courses. And yes, kids from elite universities do often take more than 1 cycle to get into med school---just like kids do from all universities. There are only so many slots available and more people who want that path. So I simply don't understand people vilifying someone who takes a path without debt at a school with a great medical school.

We have the money to — and will —- do all these things for our kids. If my kid really wants BC or Vandy and gets in, then that’s where they’ll go. And it’s not at the expense of grad school, down payments etc. So you don’t need to tell me I’m throwing money away. I don’t disagree with you that for you VCU is what you chose. Why do you insist on imposing your will on others? That’s the judgy mcjudgmental part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin. He didn’t get merit from any of them. He did get the provost scholarship at VCU for 16k/yr so that 64k goes towards med school. He will not need to take out any loads for med school.

What if he decides he doesn't want to go to med school...which a ton of kids do? Why would you have him apply to a school like Vandy or UT Austin or Colgate, knowing they give almost zero merit aid?

I don't undestand? Then he does not go to med school, what do all those kids do? They do someting else LOL! I think his chances are high. His dad is a doctor, his grandfather is a doctor, his uncle is a doctor, he knows exactly what he is getting into.

we did not dictate where he applied, or where he chose to go. He does know exactly how much money he has for undergrad and med school and made his decision accordingly. He also knows that his GPA and MCAT and ECs/research are absoultly critical to getting into a good med school.

DP: And it's much easier to have a near 4.0 and have time to study for the MCATs if you are at a school like VCU (when you got into T25 schools as well). Yes it will be challenging but nowhere on the same level as doing premed at Vandy or Colgate or UT Austin. And you are correct---he will have the ability to do research as an undergrad at VCU and volunteer at the hospital,etc. He will have an easy time building the full resume for Med School applications. People somehow think going to the tippy top schools is always the best. If your intent is med school, law school, any type of medical graduate school, it's often not the best. Going to "a slightly lesser school" where you can shine and will have an easier path to success is the smarter path.
Either way, he gets his undergrad degree for virtually no cost to you (just R&B).

If only more people thought this way

DP: I'm a Vandy alum and can't really quibble with the VCU choice. Particularly if he did or will do the guaranteed admission program. https://honors.vcu.edu/admissions/guaranteed-admission/

Yup---VCU is an excellent med school. And it's instate tuition is very reasonable. If your goal is to be a doctor, it's an excellent path to ensure you go straight to medical school and don't have to spend a year or two "studying for the MCATs and applying and hoping you get in".

Do you care where your doctor got their degree? I don't--beyond I'm not keen on seeing one who went to medical school in the Caribbean (those are known to be slightly lower level, easier to get into). But as long as they are board certified there is not different between a Harvard med grad and a vcu grad---both will be outstanding.

Don't disagree with you as a patient. I don't know how the "business" market works with MDs. Do Harvard med grads get the offers from the top plastic surgery, cardiology, orthopedic practices vs. VCU? Honest question. There must be some reason everyone wants to attend Harvard med compared to VCU med.

I mean, the median income in the DMV for a doctor is $287k. Good living, but nothing fantastical, especially considering you gave up your entire 20s.

All the more reason to do Undergrad for virtually free and medical school with in-state tuition. That income looks much better when you have no debt

I mean, wouldn't you rather take on debt and make $3MM/year with one of these top practices? Better yet, shouldn't you pursue one of the myriad other careers that can get you to this salary level without the massive opportunity cost of being in school?

Wait, what are the myriad other careers that get you $3M a year?

Was referring to the $287k median DMV doctor salary with respect to "myriad other" careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

My niece worked as an EMT and after doing it for several years, it totally turned her off of pursuing medical school. Perhaps everything will work out swimmingly for your kid, but you definitely restricted his optionality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

My niece worked as an EMT and after doing it for several years, it totally turned her off of pursuing medical school. Perhaps everything will work out swimmingly for your kid, but you definitely restricted his optionality.

cool! my kid started training on his 16th birthday and has been at it for 3 years. He has also started chipping away at getting certified as a paramedic. He wants to be in emergency medicine and loves being an EMT My DH is a dr, his grandfather was a doctor, his uncles and aunts are drs, I was a nurse…I think he knows what he wants. Not sure why you all are sooo obsessed with my kid. it’s bizarre. I really hit a nerve huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Vandy and Colgate are all ~$80K+, and Austin OOSis 70K+. PP stated he got $16K scholarship--so tuition free for IN-state. Pretty smart to take that and run to the bank. VCU has an excellent premed program---he will be well prepared. Chem 101/102, Org Chem 201/202 and Biology 101/102 all cover the material at every university. To get into Med school you need a high gpa, research, great recommendation letters and a High MCAT. Much easier to get a high GPA at VCU than at any of those with all the weed out courses and high competition. He will easily get a 3.8+ at VCU. Not to mention he will likely get to do research, be more involved with professors as the big fish in the pond at VCU vs everywhere else. It's a win-win.
Financially, it's a no-brainer. His ultimately goal is medical school. He will get that debt free, not many people can say that. And the $64K he saves from undergrad will pay for a good portion of one year.

Blah blah blah if I made $650k I would not GAF about that or be trying to nickel and dime undergrad.

Well good for you. However, your kid might go to one of those Elite schools and struggle to keep a 3.9+ and stuggle to get into medical school. While this kid could be on a direct path to medical school at VCU (and likely is). Even if he wants to go elsewhere, he likely will have a 3.8/3.9+ GPA and well set to get in anywhere. Med school don't give you a leg up because you did undergrad at an elite school. They look at MCATs and your GPA/GPA for prereqs and your reserach/involment/volunteering. This kid as a top honors student at VCU will have the opportunity to excel at that. Not as much at Vandy---where 35%+ of the undergrads start wanting premed.

So feel free to throw away your money at college and possibly have your kid taking 2-3 cycles to get into medical school. Meanwhile, this kid will be almost thru medical school, with a tuition of only $34K/year for med school before your kid might even start medical school.
Just because you have money doesn't mean you throw it away.

You seem fairly logical until you insist on adding the judgy judgmental conclusion at the end. Then you've lost your case.

That's reality and not "judge"---the $250K+ saved on medical school and undergrad could be given to that kid for "starting life". Downpayment for a home, no debt from school leads to an excellent start at age 30. The previous posters stating you should pay for the elite schools is not the smartest financial advice. And yes, it is much easier to maintain a high gpa when at a "lesser school" Ultimately many kids do take multiple cycles to get into Med school/PA/PT/OT/etc schools. It's competitive. GPA and MCATs are key requirements and any kid that got into the elite schools listed will probably have an easy time maintaining a very high gpa at VCU in premed courses. And yes, kids from elite universities do often take more than 1 cycle to get into med school---just like kids do from all universities. There are only so many slots available and more people who want that path. So I simply don't understand people vilifying someone who takes a path without debt at a school with a great medical school.

We have the money to — and will —- do all these things for our kids. If my kid really wants BC or Vandy and gets in, then that’s where they’ll go. And it’s not at the expense of grad school, down payments etc. So you don’t need to tell me I’m throwing money away. I don’t disagree with you that for you VCU is what you chose. Why do you insist on imposing your will on others? That’s the judgy mcjudgmental part.

Wow, you seem easily triggered. It was Not "judgy" at all. Simply stating facts. Financially, it is the best path for the vast majority of people (I'm not the OP). The pressure to attend "a highly ranked school" is what makes many to pay way to much for college when they don't have it and it doesn't have to be that way.

Btw, We are financially set and our kids can go wherever they want and we will still set them up with a downpayment, set them up for life, etc. However, for 99% of people that is not the case. For most taking that path means mega loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

My niece worked as an EMT and after doing it for several years, it totally turned her off of pursuing medical school. Perhaps everything will work out swimmingly for your kid, but you definitely restricted his optionality.

cool! my kid started training on his 16th birthday and has been at it for 3 years. He has also started chipping away at getting certified as a paramedic. He wants to be in emergency medicine and loves being an EMT My DH is a dr, his grandfather was a doctor, his uncles and aunts are drs, I was a nurse…I think he knows what he wants. Not sure why you all are sooo obsessed with my kid. it’s bizarre. I really hit a nerve huh?

Keep digging. You do realize this all comes across as "you are going to be a doctor damnit!"

Again, read your original post. You didn't list any of this...your original post said your kid was allowed to apply to top schools that don't award merit, and then after acceptance, you basically told him you can't go because he didn't get merit.

You never said your kid wanted VCU, or that you had told him from the start that you will pay 100% for medical school only if you don't pick Vandy or Colgate with no merit.

Maybe write articulate posts the first time around?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

My niece worked as an EMT and after doing it for several years, it totally turned her off of pursuing medical school. Perhaps everything will work out swimmingly for your kid, but you definitely restricted his optionality.

OMG---OP stated her son is exposed to multiple close family members who are physicians, the kid has been an EMT for over a year and has a 4.0 at VCU. He seems happy with his choice. While many change their majors in college, this kid seems very likely on the right path and well informed about making these choices. Worst case, he gets a psychology or science degree from VCU, graduates with a 4.0 and then goes onto some other grad school program to pursue his new interests. Still done virtually debt free for undergrad, still will likely keep a near 4.0 and went to a good school. The kid's drive and determination will contribute much more to his success than where he attends undergrad. He's not restricted in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

My niece worked as an EMT and after doing it for several years, it totally turned her off of pursuing medical school. Perhaps everything will work out swimmingly for your kid, but you definitely restricted his optionality.

cool! my kid started training on his 16th birthday and has been at it for 3 years. He has also started chipping away at getting certified as a paramedic. He wants to be in emergency medicine and loves being an EMT My DH is a dr, his grandfather was a doctor, his uncles and aunts are drs, I was a nurse…I think he knows what he wants. Not sure why you all are sooo obsessed with my kid. it’s bizarre. I really hit a nerve huh?

Keep digging. You do realize this all comes across as "you are going to be a doctor damnit!"

Again, read your original post. You didn't list any of this...your original post said your kid was allowed to apply to top schools that don't award merit, and then after acceptance, you basically told him you can't go because he didn't get merit.

You never said your kid wanted VCU, or that you had told him from the start that you will pay 100% for medical school only if you don't pick Vandy or Colgate with no merit.

Maybe write articulate posts the first time around?

Are you ok?
You sound mentally unstable?

Np on this thread btw.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Because he is pre-med and that would be a colossal waste of money. He also got into a bunch of other schools, but all were similar in price to VCU (before the provost scolarship). My examples were real life comparisons as the poster was asking about private/expensive schools.

Don't let them DCUM Shame you. What your kid is doing is the smart choice!
Even if he decides not to do Medical school (as someone stated), he will be debt free, likely have a very high gpa and the ability to go to an excellent grad program in whatever he wants to do, all that you can afford to pay for.

The kid didn’t decide that…his dum a** parent let him apply to schools that don’t give merit aid and then told his kid he can’t go because….guess what…he didn’t get merit aid.

I mean don’t let him apply.

where did i say he couldn’t go? he could go, but he’d blow through all his med school money. Unlike you he’s intelligent and understands what it takes to get into med school and understands that 300k is better spent on med school than undergrad that doesn’t mean shit for med school applications.

Many of you clearly know absolutely nothing about what it takes to be a doctor. You’re goofy.

Those of us who intended, at one time, to become a doctor but changed our minds and our major in undergrad think it's nuts to choose your undergrad based on "doesn't matter where you go if you're going to med school".

considering my kid has been working as an EMT for a year and comes from a long line of doctors, currently has a 4.0, and has never waivered, I think he’s gonna be fine. But keep obsessing .

My niece worked as an EMT and after doing it for several years, it totally turned her off of pursuing medical school. Perhaps everything will work out swimmingly for your kid, but you definitely restricted his optionality.

cool! my kid started training on his 16th birthday and has been at it for 3 years. He has also started chipping away at getting certified as a paramedic. He wants to be in emergency medicine and loves being an EMT My DH is a dr, his grandfather was a doctor, his uncles and aunts are drs, I was a nurse…I think he knows what he wants. Not sure why you all are sooo obsessed with my kid. it’s bizarre. I really hit a nerve huh?

Keep digging. You do realize this all comes across as "you are going to be a doctor damnit!"

Again, read your original post. You didn't list any of this...your original post said your kid was allowed to apply to top schools that don't award merit, and then after acceptance, you basically told him you can't go because he didn't get merit.

You never said your kid wanted VCU, or that you had told him from the start that you will pay 100% for medical school only if you don't pick Vandy or Colgate with no merit.

Maybe write articulate posts the first time around?

Are you ok?
You sound mentally unstable?

Np on this thread btw.

VCU mom has sent these hens absolutely feral and foaming.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:we are full pay with a HHI around 650k. we would only have paid slightly above in state, so merit is critical for private or OOS. our kid also is pre med and we plan on paying for medical school. He is at his first year at VCU. he also got in Vandy, Colgate, and UT Austin.

Got into Vandy, Colgate, Austin, went to VCU? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Vandy and Colgate are all ~$80K+, and Austin OOSis 70K+. PP stated he got $16K scholarship--so tuition free for IN-state. Pretty smart to take that and run to the bank. VCU has an excellent premed program---he will be well prepared. Chem 101/102, Org Chem 201/202 and Biology 101/102 all cover the material at every university. To get into Med school you need a high gpa, research, great recommendation letters and a High MCAT. Much easier to get a high GPA at VCU than at any of those with all the weed out courses and high competition. He will easily get a 3.8+ at VCU. Not to mention he will likely get to do research, be more involved with professors as the big fish in the pond at VCU vs everywhere else. It's a win-win.
Financially, it's a no-brainer. His ultimately goal is medical school. He will get that debt free, not many people can say that. And the $64K he saves from undergrad will pay for a good portion of one year.

Blah blah blah if I made $650k I would not GAF about that or be trying to nickel and dime undergrad.

Well good for you. However, your kid might go to one of those Elite schools and struggle to keep a 3.9+ and stuggle to get into medical school. While this kid could be on a direct path to medical school at VCU (and likely is). Even if he wants to go elsewhere, he likely will have a 3.8/3.9+ GPA and well set to get in anywhere. Med school don't give you a leg up because you did undergrad at an elite school. They look at MCATs and your GPA/GPA for prereqs and your reserach/involment/volunteering. This kid as a top honors student at VCU will have the opportunity to excel at that. Not as much at Vandy---where 35%+ of the undergrads start wanting premed.

So feel free to throw away your money at college and possibly have your kid taking 2-3 cycles to get into medical school. Meanwhile, this kid will be almost thru medical school, with a tuition of only $34K/year for med school before your kid might even start medical school.
Just because you have money doesn't mean you throw it away.

You seem fairly logical until you insist on adding the judgy judgmental conclusion at the end. Then you've lost your case.

That's reality and not "judge"---the $250K+ saved on medical school and undergrad could be given to that kid for "starting life". Downpayment for a home, no debt from school leads to an excellent start at age 30. The previous posters stating you should pay for the elite schools is not the smartest financial advice. And yes, it is much easier to maintain a high gpa when at a "lesser school" Ultimately many kids do take multiple cycles to get into Med school/PA/PT/OT/etc schools. It's competitive. GPA and MCATs are key requirements and any kid that got into the elite schools listed will probably have an easy time maintaining a very high gpa at VCU in premed courses. And yes, kids from elite universities do often take more than 1 cycle to get into med school---just like kids do from all universities. There are only so many slots available and more people who want that path. So I simply don't understand people vilifying someone who takes a path without debt at a school with a great medical school.

We have the money to — and will —- do all these things for our kids. If my kid really wants BC or Vandy and gets in, then that’s where they’ll go. And it’s not at the expense of grad school, down payments etc. So you don’t need to tell me I’m throwing money away. I don’t disagree with you that for you VCU is what you chose. Why do you insist on imposing your will on others? That’s the judgy mcjudgmental part.

Wow, you seem easily triggered. It was Not "judgy" at all. Simply stating facts. Financially, it is the best path for the vast majority of people (I'm not the OP). The pressure to attend "a highly ranked school" is what makes many to pay way to much for college when they don't have it and it doesn't have to be that way.

Btw, We are financially set and our kids can go wherever they want and we will still set them up with a downpayment, set them up for life, etc. However, for 99% of people that is not the case. For most taking that path means mega loans.

I really don't understand all the posts of...you can go to the cheap college and you will be set up for a downpayment, paying for your wedding, etc. vs. paying for the expensive college.

The natural conclusion to all of this, is to give your kid all the money now (or put in an account in index funds or otherwise make sure they don't squander it), they invest it and they skip college entirely. If this is all a financial decision, they can apprentice with industrial companies, or get plenty of jobs requiring no college degree.

I mean, the median earnings of a VCU graduate are below:

Six years after enrolling, VCU alumni who are working have average earnings of $36,100 per year. After ten years, graduates earn $47,500 on average.

If this is all about money, then college itself is a waste.