Torn between locking in Cerrahpaşa vs. waiting on Hacettepe Medicine (non-refundable tuition panic) 😭

Hey everyone,

I’m in a massive dilemma right now and honestly feeling super overwhelmed with all the administrative deadlines and financial risks. I need some perspective from people who have been through this!

The Situation:
I have already been accepted to Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (English Medicine) for the 2026–2027 academic year, which is incredible and a huge dream come true.

However, Hacettepe University is opening its application window soon (August 11–18).

The Emotional Rollercoaster & The Catch:
Cerrahpaşa’s mandatory registration and fee payment window runs right alongside Hacettepe's application window (August 10–18). To lock in my seat at Cerrahpaşa, I have to pay the first semester's tuition.

Here's the catch: tuition fees in Turkey are non-refundable once registered.

If I pay Cerrahpaşa to be safe and then get into Hacettepe on August 28, I’d have to withdraw from Cerrahpaşa and completely forfeit that first semester tuition. But if I don't pay Cerrahpaşa to save the money and hold out for Hacettepe, I risk losing my guaranteed spot at Cerrahpaşa if Hacettepe doesn't accept me!

My Questions for You Guys:

1. Would you treat the non-refundable tuition as an "insurance policy" to hold the Cerrahpaşa seat while applying to Hacettepe? Or is Cerrahpaşa so good that I should just commit 100%, pay, and forget about Hacettepe?

2. For current med students in Turkey: How big is the actual difference between Cerrahpaşa and Hacettepe in terms of international residency matches (USMLE/PLAB) and everyday student lifestyle (Istanbul vs. Ankara)?

3. Has anyone successfully done a horizontal transfer (Yatay Geçiş) from Cerrahpaşa to Hacettepe after Year 1? Is keeping a high GPA in 1st-year med realistic enough to rely on that as a backup plan?

I’m feeling super stressed trying to balance the financial risk with the fear of missing out on Hacettepe. Any advice, reality checks, or personal experiences would mean the world right now!

Thanks in advance 🙏