Stuck Between a Rock (LAC) and a Hard Place (State School)

Ok so— got rejected/waitlist by all of my reaches, thought I would have a miserable time at my cheap state flagship (Rutgers-a strike, a missing kid, and a repeat of high school?) Got accepted off the waitlist to a T3 LAC across the country. Didn’t put some documents into my Non-Custodial parent’s CSS (makes >$125k but pays child support.) Mentally prepared to go to the LAC, put in the info in my NPC and resulted in $9k after aid. (FAFSA EFC is 0)

Just got my official financial aid letter today, and it’s $36k.

They gave me like 24 hours to pay the $500 deposit after receiving my package, but nevertheless I will try and appeal my offer. For a really nice school that demonstrates 100% financial need, has a very high med school acceptance, and good weather all the time (it’s Pomona lol), I didn’t expect it to be so expensive. As stated, I want to go into medical or dental school, and I want Pomona’s accessibility to their pre-health resources, grade inflation, as well as its ability to explore the 5cs and become independent. I dislike how large Rutgers is, asbestos in the dorms, and not much interaction with other professors. But it is the cheaper option after all…

Pomona also has the prestige (in terms of grad school), and I want to pursue an MD/PhD path. Not sure if Pomona is known to be good with appealing financial aid. It’s the better opportunity overall, unless someone says that it is not.

Have not decommitted to Rutgers, said that I will accept my offer to Pomona but have not paid the fee waiver. Scared to let the best opportunity fly by.

What’s my best bet? Do off campus dorming? Loan options?