<p>I'm highly interested in biology and other sciences, as well as a pre-med program/track/concentration. What are some of the best schools on the East Coast (preferably non-Ivies in NJ, PA, southern NY near the city/island, DE, DC, or MD) that offer wonderful science programs and have the best science facilities?</p>
<p>I would prefer to attend a school in a more rural to suburban area with a beautiful, quaint (but not necessarily small) campus. I would also prefer a smaller student population (under 10,000 works, but best would be under 5,000). However, these criteria are not necessarily essential. </p>
<p><strong>I visited Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, and I fell in love with every aspect of it besides its science department. I was extremely disappointed, and I am looking for a comparable school with better science aspects.</strong></p>
<p>Some to possibly check into are TCNJ, Franklin & Marshall, Ursinus, Allegheny, Muhlenberg, Washington & Jefferson, Juniata and Haverford. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks so much! TCNJ, F&M, Ursinus, Muhlenberg, and Haverford have already been brought to my attention as good overall schools, so I’m glad to see that they are recognized as good science schools as well. I’m actually planning on visiting F&M soon. I’m pretty excited about that one. And I’ll be sure to check out Allegheny, Washington & Jefferson, and Juniata. I never considered them before. Thanks, again! :)</p>
<p>I read info regarding your August tour of Bucknell-and in particular your review of the science facilities. I am truly sorry that you thought the science facilities were not up to the standard you expected. That being said, I can assure you that Bucknell is a great place for a PreMed student. I am a senior at Bucknell who has had a wonderful experience as a Biology major and who has been able to participate in the excellent programs for Premeds. The advising system for PreMeds and the courses in the Bio Department have been superb the four years of my matriculation. In January of my sophomore year–Bucknell’s Career Development Center set me up duing January to shadow a physician–a Bucknell grad. Overall, I have been able to shadow four doctors during my time at Bucknell. This past summer before my senior year I was offered a 10-week internship at the Yale School of Medicine and was awarded a grant completely funded by Bucknell. I was able to perform cancer research at Yale and it was a great experience. I can tell you that I competed for the position with Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford students. Being from Bucknell’s Bio;logy Department was NOT a limitation–instead it was an advantage. My Bucknell science lab training with cutting edge research implements–I think–gave me the edge. Because Bucknell is the largest liberal arts school in the country, course offerings in the Biology Department are numerous–and ALL course are taught by full professors. Additionally, there are MANY research offerings on campus-as well as-a system in place to help Bucknellians gain access to research positions through the Career Development Office. Placement of Bucknell graduates in medical school is high-and the PreMed adviser does a super job of assisting students through the maze of applying. I know that your perception of the science facilities was not up to your standard. However, as a graduating Bucknell senior–my hope is that you will give Bucknell–and its science programs–and your hope of maybe someday applying to medical school–another look. I think that if you were able to visit the campus while school was in session–your perception might change. I want to wish you the best of luck in your college search–have a great senior year!</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with me. It actually has me wondering if maybe I was too hard on Bucknell, and I do admit that my opinion was probably worse than it should have been because I was mad that many of the facilities were closed and dark when I was on my tour of the science building, which I wasn’t expecting after making a torturous three hour drive (in a car that shakes when it hits 60 mph) to see the school. I was impressed with almost every other aspect of Bucknell, however. My main concerns were the interior of the science building and the equipment. Compared to other science departments, the interior was rather unimpressive. I felt like I was in a high school, everything seemed narrow and dimly lit. And, while I am certainly no expert on cutting edge technology, the little technology I was able to see seemed comparable to what my high school has. I think I was just expecting such a great school to have a “wow factor,” and on my visit I did not see it (though that does not mean it isn’t there). I’m willing to chalk my experiences up to a bad tour, and I will consider applying to Bucknell. If I’m accepted, I guess I will just have to come have another look. Maybe I missed something. Thanks so much, and have a great senior year, as well!</p>
<p>Williams. Somewhat out of your geographic range and very selective, but excellent science and medical school placements. I’d also look at Hamilton, Bowdoin.</p>