Accepted to SABA, and MERPed at Ross. Advice?

[lowhighkang]

GPA: 3.2 MCAT 31 R

First off, I don't understand why I've been MERPed at Ross, seems kind of random - others with lower stats have gotten straight in and those with higher have gotten MERPed. Kind of seems like another way to nickel and dime students.And SABA and Ross seem to have similar GPA/MCAT requirements on avg. acceptance. Anyway, to the point:

I've been accepted to SABA's May 2010 semester.

I have also been accepted to Ross MERP program starting Nov 2009. That's like, right now.

First off, Nov 2009 is cutting it close. I assume he means late Nov, otherwise he wouldn't even bother mentioning to me. That's a lot of money, adjustments, and decision making quickly.

Should I relax, and go straight into SABA for May 10' - or should I hussle into this MERP program, pay the money, take the chance and stress of passing this 'audition' - and then get into Ross, which also starts - like SABA, in May 2010.

Both schools are 50 - state accredited and both have high USMLE pass rates.

Both schools are also of similar size, class sizes etc.

[CaribMD]

If you need loans then Ross is much better option, I have to beg for money to finish this year, since there are no loans for other schools that has been consistent.

Ross, SGU and AUC have federal student loans and private that are attached to that approval.

no other school will get the federal loans, no matter what they say.

SO if its a factor I say Ross
If not then Saba is fine.

[lowhighkang]

It is still possible to get private loans from banks to attend Saba correct?

I have good/perfect credit.

SABA sent a package that has the loan vendor that they work with. Obviously, as you say it's not a federal loan, rather a private loan - but it's the organization they work with.

Or, if you decide to go to SABA - you need your own funds since getting loans is impossible?

I have no problem with taking loans. I figure the route of a doctor - all of us are going to be massively in - debt regardless no?

Also - the email I have received about the MERP program gives me vendors to obtain private loans (i.e, Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo).

The MERP program starts Nov. 30 - I figure that getting federal loans is too late at this point for the MERP program.

Furthermore, what are the benefits to federal loans other than lower interest rates?

[lowhighkang]

I also wanted to mention that I -already- gave SABA my 750 dollar seat deposit a week ago, before I knew I was MERP'ed at Ross. The timing of the deadlines really gave me no choice to sit and wait to see if I got into Ross straight.

[CaribMD]

I also wanted to mention that I -already- gave SABA my 750 dollar seat deposit a week ago, before I knew I was MERP'ed at Ross. The timing of the deadlines really gave me no choice to sit and wait to see if I got into Ross straight.

Ok what I was saying is I have had two private loan companies, one Sallie Mae, stop lending, these same companies lent to Saba as well and stopped, the all 50 thing means nothing to the loan companies.

Ross will not loose the Federal loans.

So just understand this.

and Good Luck

[arash23]

ok, 1st off, if you do merp now you will start Ross in Jan 2010 not May 2010, so its not the same as Saba as you stated. The debt you will be in wont be the same because the great amount of interest youll be paying throughout the years on private loans, so itll be much more. I would go to Ross Merp get a little warm up and then start right in jan 2010.. If they told you theres no space for merpers in jan they lied, my friend was in the same situation they took him, merp students are always given priority into next term. good luck!

[thomasfx10]

You might have been MERP'ed due to not having more than the required sciences. Did you have any of the below classes that are in the MERP? (See below) ... PS ... The MERP is a 15 week program ... see the link below to the MERP website.

http://medicalreviewprogram.com/

These are great classes to prep you for medical school if you did not take them.

Courses include Anatomy/Histology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Physiology