Speech Language Pathology....MGH-IHP vs. Auburn University

[cmadden]

I am at a loss for what to do.

I was accepted into Massachusetts General Hospital-Institute of Health Professions and it was one of my top choice schools that I applied to. I love Boston and believe it would be a great fit. Minus the price. Lots of student loans would accompany my attendance. 

On the flip side, I was just offered a full-ride to Auburn University. Less prestigious school, but I would graduate debt free.

I don't know which to choose, the better program or the free education. Will I get a good job if I go to auburn compared to the opportunities I would have in Boston?

Any advice?

[CLCD]

Congratulations on your acceptances! I actually want to apply to those two programs myself this fall 

If I were you, I would first analyze what I want to get out of the program. For example, I really REALLY like MGH because I am highly interested in Neurogenics and .Auburn really wouldn't be able to afford me the same opportunities MGH has. So I would first think about stuff along those lines. Have you had a chance to research their curriculum? Do you resonate with one more? Why did you originally apply to Auburn? Why did you originally apply to MGH? What about each program appeals to you? How will each school benefit your professional goals as an SLP? If you can answer those questions I think you will start to realize which answers hold more weight. Or if you still have trouble deciding, you could always assign point values to try to see it from a different perspective. Example, if you have 7 different categories and the cost category is the biggest factor for you, make cost worth 7 points and give Auburn those 7 points. At the end, see who has the most points.

Speaking of cost, once again, CONGRATULATIONS!! You should be extremely proud of yourself!! And while a part of me says "GO FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP!", the other part of me says, "make sure you are doing it for the right reasons." A friend of mine turned down Law School at an Ivy League because the University of Florida gave him a full ride. He didn't want to practice up north, he wanted to practice in Florida so the brand name really didn't matter to him. But then I know someone who turned down a scholarship worth roughly $75,000 because the school couldn't pay him enough to give up attending his dream school. Both individuals are extremely happy with their decision. Either way, you should be proud of your accomplishments. If you decide to turn down MGH, you will always have pride knowing you got into a top tier program. If you turn down Auburn, you will always have the satisfaction that a school not just accepted you into the program, but wanted to pay for it because they see enormous potential in you and want you to represent their university.  

(ps: would you mind sharing your stats?)

Edited April 22, 2016 by CLCD