What would you do...

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

I am in a bit of a dilemma.

I have decided to go to veterinarian school after I get my BS Biology degree (took me long enough to come to this realization). I want to become an equine DVM/PhD, and, essentially, it is what I have been geared to do for my entire life. I don't know why I was fighting it so much, and I had to make a decision because I was running out of time.

However, with all of the requirements for admissions to NC State's veterinarian college (400 hours of volunteer service at 3 different veterinarain practices + 5 courses that I will not have upon graduating UNC) (this also sucks because I am well-known throughout the state), there is no way that I can fullfill them since I am late in my junior year. UGA seems like the best option since they do not have near the requirements, and since my boyfriend lives about 2 hours away from that campus. I am very confident that I could get into UGA with my past credentials and experience with the horses in combination with my GPA. I just have to do well on the GRE.

UGA gives preference to in-state students in addition to the difference between paying 33,000 a year and 12,000 a year (out of state vs. in state). Needless to say, I would need to establish in-state residency before attending. Wesleyan College is currently only 10 minutes away from my bf's place. It is an all-girl's school, and only has 700 students. It is a private institution, and only costs 16,500 a year to attend (not including other expenses). UNC costs about 16,000 total with dorm and other expenses a year. 100% of the students receive some type of financial aid at Wesleyan, and I am eligible for quite a few large academic scholarships. It has an equestrian team, and pre-veterinary curriculum, but so does UNC. However, Wesleyan is not UNC-Chapel Hill academic wise. I feel as if I wouldn't be challenged, and would breeze through that college. I am doing well at Chapel Hill GPA wise, and I really love the college (although I don't like the size of the classes and the impersonal nature or being away from my bf). I also don't think that all of my courses would transfer into Wesleyan, but I'm not sure how private institutions work when it comes to transferring credits. It the end, it's all about the cost of college and the GPA.

So, my question is this: Would you stay at the more lucrative and prestigious college of UNC-Chapel Hill, and work in GA for a year to establish residency in the state before going to UGA, or would you go to Wesleyan, a college that might be a little bit more expensive that UNC, so that you could go straight into vet school?

There are people chomping at the bit right now because I am considering giving up my seat at Chapel Hill so that they have a better chance of being accepted. Even if I do go to Wesleyan, it will never compare to that college. I will always be a Tarheel, but I have to make the most strategic and cost-efficient decision. I have time to decide, but I would still like other's opinions.