Help me decide on a program??

[futurespeechpath1]

Hi everyone!

I know in the end the decision is up to me, but I really am stuck on what to do. I'm in between Midwestern University in Downers Grove and Lewis University.

Midwestern Pros: 

• Very well known and a well established program
• Great clinic 10 minutes from campus
• Good connections for off campus placements (including NICU!!!)
• In an area where there is a lot to do, right next to the mall

Midwestern Cons:

• Very expensive
• Start out with 20 credit hours for your first semester
• Further away from my house which would make commuting on bad weather days very difficult
• No GA positions just work study

Lewis Pros:

• The program founder also founded both Midwestern's so I have a feeling it'll be a good program. They also already have clinical partnerships with nearby schools and clinics.
• Their semesters are divided into terms. So Summer term 1 you learn the material and in term 2 is when your clinic will be. So you won't be taking classes while in clinic (or will be taking 1 class with clinic)
• Closer to home
• Less expansive than Midwestern
• You only take 3 classes at a time and still finish in a 2 year time frame

Lewis Cons:

• Brand new program I'd be their first cohort, they just got their applicant for accreditation today
• No on campus clinic
• The program isn't very well known like Midwestern
• Since it's a new program there aren't any GA or scholarship opportunities within the major, but you can still apply for GA positions outside the department 

I thought the decision would be easy and I would just gravitate towards Lewis but I'm really unsure of what to do. Distance and an on campus clinic are very important to me and one university has the on campus clinic and one university is closer and cheaper. 

Edited March 21, 2020 by futurespeechpath1