<p>I decided to be cautious and applied to 9 schools, and was accepted into all nine. My intended major is pre-med/biomedical sciences (depending on the school.) I've visited seven of the campuses and have done research on all the schools, so I guess I'm just really looking for some honest opinions. If you could please name the top 3 schools you'd suggest from this list for my major with 2/3 being SUNY schools (trying not to go to broke during undergrad so I have more options for med school.) I'm also looking for a good balance between academics and social life so that is also a factor I'm considering. Thanks ahead of time for all suggestions, I really need the help : ) </p>
<p>-Binghamton University (SUNY)
-Stony Brook University (SUNY)
-University at Buffalo (SUNY)
-Syracuse University
-State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY)
-University of Rochester
-Nazareth
-University at Albany (SUNY)
-Wells College</p>
<p>Stony Brook has a great reputation in the medical sciences, but its social life may not be all you desire. Visiting (on a weekend) might help you decide.</p>
<p>If the private colleges are asking for a lot more than SUNY prices, I would cross them all off. Of the private schools you applied to only Rochester is better than the best SUNYs academically and that isn’t by much. Also, unless there is something that really draws you to SUNY Oswego and SUNY Albany you should drop them in favor of the other SUNYs.</p>
<p>Ya Oswego and Albany were my original safety schools. As of right now the SUNY schools I’m really debating between are Buffalo, Binghamton, and Stony Brook. I know Binghamton is known as being one of if not the top suny, but I really loved Buffalo when I visited. And Stony Brook having the highest transfer rate kind of makes me nervous…and it’s the farthest away.</p>
<p>You can get a good pre-med education at any of these places. Do the math, including cost of travel between campus and your home several times each year. Take into account any scholarships/financial aid you have been awarded, any requirements for keeping those scholarships (such as a GPA requirement), and remember that costs can be expected to go up at least 6 to 7% each year that you are in college. Since you are pre-med, most parents would recommend that you eliminate the most expensive options so that you can save your money for med school.</p>
<p>I am not familiar with Nazareth, but I do know that Wells is a very special place - completely unlike the SUNYs. Since there is a course exchange with Cornell, it may make for a more interesting option.</p>
<p>*I know Binghamton is known as being one of if not the top suny, but I really loved Buffalo when I visited. *</p>
<p>Visit UB now that it’s really cold and see how you like it. Some say that the weather is horrid. Also, if you can, stay over on a weekend and see if it’s more of a suitcase school. </p>
<p>What did you like about UB? What did you not like about Bing? </p>
<p>but I do know that Wells is a very special place - completely unlike the SUNYs. Since there is a course exchange with Cornell, it may make for a more interesting option.</p>
<p>Interesting…<br>
Do you know if you’d get merit money from Wells that would make the costs comparable to the SUNYs?</p>
<p>*Out of the FA packages I’ve received generally the SUNY schools are looking a lot better cost wise, even with all four private schools offering me pretty substantial scholarships (not full ride though.) </p>
<p>My parents aren’t helping me with any college expenses, all my FA was filed as Independent (under legal guardianship,) so I’m kinda on my own with about 10000 saved up and I only make about 10.50 an hour (work part time after school,) which pretty much all goes towards car insurance and the community college classes I’m taking now.*</p>
<p>Did you receive your FA package from Wells?</p>
<p>I noticed on your other thread that you were concerned that some kids from better schools were accepted into med school with lower GPAs than the SUNY kids with higher GPAs. GPA is only one factor. The MCAT score is very significant. You can’t just compare GPA. Also, it can depend on one’s chosen curriculum. If a person majors in humanities and only takes the minimum pre-med classes, he may not score as well on the MCATs as someone who majors in biochemical engineering and took extensive bio and chem classes.</p>
<p>D1 is a Geneseo grad and several of her classmates went on to dental and medical schools. She felt she got a top notch education and had wonderful undergraduate experience there. D3 accepted at UB and a girl from her class enrolled and absolutely loves it there. It really is all about how YOU feel about the schools. Were you by chance accepted into the UB Honors Program? We went to a program specifically geared towards those accepted into the honors program when D3 was accepted, and were very impressed with what it had to offer the students. I believe there was some type of Early Assurance Program to their med school if you were in the honors program and met certain criteria. If this applies to you, check out the website. It might make UB even more attractive to you. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Did any of these schools give you financial aid? I would say SUNY Buffalo or Binghamton, but it’s possible that Wells (I’ve heard great things, too), or Nazareth could give you a great FA package. I’d follow the money otherwise. Personally, I think I’d pick Binghamton otherwise.</p>
<p>What I liked about UB was just like the general atmosphere on campus, it seemed really laid back and had a diverse population of students. And I visited there about a month ago so there was snow, but I only live about an hour outside of Buffalo so I’m definately used to that. As far as Wells goes I did receive a scholarship for being a “Henry Wells Scholar,” which is about 18,000 per year. But the total cost is 43,180 and my FA package says my total awards are only 36,475 (with 9500 of that being loans anyway,) which is a big difference in my mind (especially since I’m trying to conserve for med school.) As far as Rochester goes I would really like to go there but there are two problems: the cost, and all the kids seemed really stuck up, and it’s really competitive (still would be one of my top choices if when the FA package comes it shows something promising.) Binghamton is actually one of the two campuses I haven’t visited yet, because I received there acceptance last (like last week,) so I’m just going on others opinions regarding campus life their.</p>
<p>Always…repeat ALWAYS go where your gut tells you to go…where you will thrive and excel. Presuming your gut isnt into partying and being a wild child.</p>
<p>I presume from what you told us that you are focused on the best education and outcome. GO WHERE you feel the best chance of success is for you.</p>
<p>However, if you dont have a clear gut choice then I am partial to U Rochester. But that is a private school and very expensive. </p>
<p>So pick the SUNY that fits you the best. Go there, do well and best of luck to you.</p>
<p>I understand why you may end up at one of the SUNY behemoths-- but my brothers and I are products of Binghamton, Albany and Oswego. We all went on to private grad schools and realized how much we missed of the college experience going to such large and impersonal institutions. I guess my best advice would be to go to a smaller med school. Make sure you dont mind kids like those from “The Jersey Shore”-- maybe Buffalo will have fewer, but the long islanders threw us all for a loop!</p>
<p>I just saw this thread - I already replied to your other thread.</p>
<p>But seeing this I really think UB is your best choice. You already know the weather so that is a moot point. It is an excellent school, and a great social life, and most importantly, it is what your “gut” is telling you.</p>
<p>SUNY’s:
Binghamton or Buffalo.
Both have nice kids, great programs and social life.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t even bother with privates in your case. Save the money for med/grad school.</p>
<p>(Son applied to 15 schools- w majors is the reason. Got into all. Privates, publics, and SUNY’s. He loved Bing and UB the best of all, saving us lots of money. UB won him over with the excellent engineering program. They also have a dental school, Med school, Law school… We are from LI by the way and reading the above post by Wilner, must say, the kids at the SUNY’s seem like nice down to earth kids.)</p>
<p>Coming from a student. Trust me. Don’t do it.</p>
<p>Premed is fine at any school, but Buffalo and Binghamton are probably the most open ended. Keep in mind that you might quit pre-med along the line… as much as you think you will now nothing is for sure!</p>
<p>Wow, congrats on your acceptances! I’m thinking of premed too. I know SUNY has a great medical school - maybe connections with a medical school nearby would help? (in terms of clinical experience or research)</p>