Alt to Georgetown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe William and Mary. Similar size - decent bio department. Even OOS it is cheaper than Georgetown. Not really in a city though. If you want that, you are mostly looking at private and similar $$.

I *love* William and Mary. I recommend it to all my kids and all have applied and then decided no. They pointed out that there's just nothing at all to do for college aged kids after, like, freshman year. In other words, freshman year you might enjoy the novelty, the quaintness of the Colonial area (literally, across the street) and even Busch Gardens. But by sophomore year, that's old hat and there's just nothing to do in a sleepy town full of retirees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem you have is Georgetown is a much better ranked school than the alternatives. It will be up to you if the difference in cost is worth it.

Pitt is an urban school. Much bigger but if you have Georgetown stats you will likely get merit aid. A lot of the options suggested are great with merit if you have Georgetown level stats.

Pitt seems like a great alternative. Also agree with others on W&M - and would add, a great chemistry program but not urban. But also not isolated. And it easy to get to other cities like Richmond on the train.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can’t afford Georgetown, just go to a state flagship.

Probably the right path. Unless pre-med, biochemistry is going to require a graduate degree for any real career. Go to UMD, save $250-300K, and then pick somewhere for grad school.

Valid point. I wish UMD wasn’t so large or there was a W&M type school for MD. I’ll look at UMBC as an in state option.

[Anonymous]

A couple ideas that may have some elements of Georgetown: Fordham, Boston College, Syracuse, Tuft. I realize they aren’t exact matches.

Loyola MD is lovely and worth a look even though it’s probably not quite going to check all the same boxes as Georgetown. Could be a solid safety though and generous merit very likely if your kid has high stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can’t afford Georgetown, just go to a state flagship.

Probably the right path. Unless pre-med, biochemistry is going to require a graduate degree for any real career. Go to UMD, save $250-300K, and then pick somewhere for grad school.

Valid point. I wish UMD wasn’t so large or there was a W&M type school for MD. I’ll look at UMBC as an in state option.

SMCM. Public, great school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What state are you for in?

Maryland

UMBC

U Maryland College Park

Both good STEM schools

Not sure re St Marys and STEM

[Anonymous]

see if your child even gets in. see what the aid looks like. then decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe William and Mary. Similar size - decent bio department. Even OOS it is cheaper than Georgetown. Not really in a city though. If you want that, you are mostly looking at private and similar $$.

I *love* William and Mary. I recommend it to all my kids and all have applied and then decided no. They pointed out that there's just nothing at all to do for college aged kids after, like, freshman year. In other words, freshman year you might enjoy the novelty, the quaintness of the Colonial area (literally, across the street) and even Busch Gardens. But by sophomore year, that's old hat and there's just nothing to do in a sleepy town full of retirees.

It's sad to me that they don't have bigger imaginations. As someone who went there (and went to Busch Gardens once and toured CW … maybe also once?), it was endless fun. I hope you keep recommending it; the right ones will find their way there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What state are you for in?

Maryland

UMBC

U Maryland College Park

Both good STEM schools

Not sure re St Marys and STEM

OP said the major is Biochemistry.

https://www.smcm.edu/program-biochemistry/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:see if your child even gets in. see what the aid looks like. then decide.

+1 Running the net price calculator also a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can’t afford Georgetown, just go to a state flagship.

Probably the right path. Unless pre-med, biochemistry is going to require a graduate degree for any real career. Go to UMD, save $250-300K, and then pick somewhere for grad school.

Valid point. I wish UMD wasn’t so large or there was a W&M type school for MD. I’ll look at UMBC as an in state option.

SMCM. Public, great school.

Where is the urban area near SMCM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can’t afford Georgetown, just go to a state flagship.

Probably the right path. Unless pre-med, biochemistry is going to require a graduate degree for any real career. Go to UMD, save $250-300K, and then pick somewhere for grad school.

Valid point. I wish UMD wasn’t so large or there was a W&M type school for MD. I’ll look at UMBC as an in state option.

SMCM. Public, great school.

Where is the urban area near SMCM?

Yeah, SMCM is a great little school and strong in sciences but the environment is *nothing* like Georgetown and I can’t think of a single similarity between these schools.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Marquette? Loyola of Chicago? St. Louis University? University of San Francisco? Drexel? Very tough to find an urban school a small step down from Georgetown and cheaper.

Will GW or Case give you money?

[Anonymous]

Fordham -- not as selective as Georgetown, but also a good Jesuit school in a city -- gives merit aid, including Presidential scholarships for many national merit semi-finalists.

Fordham's alumni outperform the school's rank. Plus, beautiful campus, great city, nice kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem you have is Georgetown is a much better ranked school than the alternatives. It will be up to you if the difference in cost is worth it.

Pitt is an urban school. Much bigger but if you have Georgetown stats you will likely get merit aid. A lot of the options suggested are great with merit if you have Georgetown level stats.

Pitt seems like a great alternative. Also agree with others on W&M - and would add, a great chemistry program but not urban. But also not isolated. And it easy to get to other cities like Richmond on the train.

I agree on Pitt, and William & Mary as well. I loved both schools when I visited.