<p>Hi, I was recently accepted to Haverford. However I do not know enough about LAC as I want to. I plan on majoring in biology and hoping to go to Med School after that. Is Haverford a good choice in terms of the natural sciences? (Because I read on their website that the bio dept. does not really prepare you for the MCAT) Thanks!</p>
<p>Hello Bio Major,</p>
<p>I am a Biology grad from Haverford and subsequently went to medical school. I am currently a neurosurgeon and teach at an Ivy league medical school.</p>
<p>I cannot say enough positive things about Haverford and their Biology Dept in particular. The professors are dynamic and exciting and I was thoroughly prepared for medical school. Almost everyone from Haverford who applied for medical school my year was accepted and I felt I was more than thoroughly prepared for the rigourous studies required. With respect to the MCATs, as a whole we did great, but Haverford does not waste their time as a MCAT prep curriculum. You will learn unbelievable things and the research your participate in will be of world-class caliber. </p>
<p>I have 4 children and I will encourage all of them to apply to Haverford. Have no regrets and congrats on getting accepted.</p>
<p>Wow… another HC person!!
If the “Ivy” med school you’re referring to is Harvard, then we have a connection cause my HC classmate is a neurosurg resident @ MGH.</p>
<p>Jdude, Welcome. I guess you’re new to CC cause I’ve been writing about HC’s sciences, research and premed for the last year or so and I will copy some of the links to my previous posts or posts by others on the topic. If there is anything in addition that you wish to know, just ask. Before that, I realize that I’ve been writing a lot about how strong HC’s sciences are (even when compared to ANY top LAC) but I don’t want to give the impression that HC is only good in the sciences. Other notable programs are History, Poli Sci, Econ, English, Religion, Philosophy and Comparative Literature. Not only are they strong by themselves but students also have the opportunity to take complementary coursework with BMC’s departments too (no Religion at BMC). Other HC departments are small but the teaching and mentorship are also excellent.</p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=2967259#post2967259%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=2967259#post2967259</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=265587%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=265587</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=299566%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=299566</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=146705%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=146705</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=260301%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=260301</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=320232%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=320232</a></p>
<p>As an update, Jenette Wheeler (HC's premed advisor), who I can't say enough good this about, is retiring this year and will be a consultant with HC med admissions in the future. Michele Taylor (new pre-med advisor from Penn with several years experience), who I've been communicating with, seems like a great person too. My friends and I (we all sat on our med schools' adcoms)just wrote up a 5 page summary "cheat sheet" for HC kids to explain the tricks it takes to get into med school as it is much more than GPA and MCATs (how to interview, what questions are asked, the kinds of great questions applicants should ask, how to write the essay, ect...).</p>
<p>Even though HC's science resources are great, I hope that there are other important reasons why you are considering HC because if you don't like the size, location or it's campus culture, you will likely perform poorly with academics. When deciding on colleges, please look at fit 1st... after that, then academics. :)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.haverford.edu/news/stories/861/2%5B/url%5D">http://www.haverford.edu/news/stories/861/2</a></p>
<p>/\ above link...</p>
<p>In August, Assistant Professor of Biology (and Class of ’91 graduate) Andrea Morris received an NIH Career Development Award for junior faculty members, under the auspices of the National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke. The five-year grant, totaling over $600,000—the first of its kind awarded to a faculty member at a small liberal arts college—supports Morris’ exploration into the molecular mechanisms of visual system development, focusing on a particular gene called, yes, “sonic hedgehog” and its role in retinal axon guidance (the process of connecting the eye to the appropriate parts of the brain that allow for visual perception)...</p>