I just checked my decisions and am happy to know that I have gotten into both Boston University and the University of Rochester.
Both look like great places for pre-med, and I like the campus and vibes of both universities. I am willing to work very hard to keep up my GPA, and I have maintained a strong 4.0 in high school. I am also a very strong science student.
However, a lot of threads say that Boston has heavy grade deflation, which concerns me. Also, in terms of financial aid, I have received a merit scholarship of 22K, which makes Rochester affordable. But, Boston has not given me any financial aid, and it is very expensive and will create debt. Plus, I am from NJ, so I live closer to Rochester.
However, in terms of medical opportunities, it seems that Boston offers more because of its location in Boston near many medical center and huge hospitals. Also, it offers ample research opportunities near other esteemed institutions like Harvard and MIT. The acceptance rate for Boston is 25% and Rochester is 29%. Many of my friends said that Boston is more widely known but very competitive.
Rochester has a smaller class, which means I can get to know the professors better for a recommendation letter.
So, can you please share your opinions on whether Boston or Rochester is the better fit for pre-med? Thank you!
The research opportunities pale in comparison to finances for med school considering how great both schools are for your goal. Focus on excelling whenever you go as it will ultimately be you and not the school that makes your dreams come true.
I can confirm BU does deflate… I remember in one class the professor stated he only gives one A… and it seems the case still holds on grades at BU after 25 years lol
As for Rochester it is very well known so not sure what your friends are talking about… both are great schools and I’d say go for the one you can save money with for medical school… plus I think Rochester is ranked 33rd
Based on what you’ve posted, UR seems like a nice choice for your goals. Some of the aspects you listed in favor of BU (e.g., proximity to unaffiliated universities) would not be aspects that would benefit you, imo.
Regarding relative selectivity, note that while BU has recently become much more selective, Rochester even just a few years ago was a significantly more selective school (60th versus 96th in the score-based analysis linked below).
Rochester offers many opportunities for research. Their hospital complex is one of the leading hospitals anywhere.
My daughter was double humanities major but her friends who were in the sciences all did quite well with grad school.
Thanks you for your opinions! I am leaning more towards Rochester now. I just wanted to ask one more thing. Does Rochester offer other medical opportunities like EMT? That was one of the things that Boston offered in addition to basic shadowing, volunteering, and research.
I’m not specifically familiar with UR with respect to EMT opportunities. At other colleges, however, I’ve known students who serve as EMTs either on or off campus, so you may have more than one path for this whichever school you attend.
I am a parent of a med school grad. Boston isn’t going to give you anything Rochester won’t. Also, EMT is just a thing, won’t do anything big for your med school app. I would do Rochester
@merc81 I just don’t think calling first responders just “a thing” like every game we do is a lever for some grad school or med school, is accurate. I am just asking the poster for clarification. I’m clear on my view. And applaud the OP for considering it. What is your stand on first responders?
And I apologize for seeming to be critical. But these programs allow for real life saving opportunities- choking, heart attack’s and student alcohol poisoning.
I wish the poor kid at Penn state had somebody with some training around or someone called student ems. It might have saved him.
And sometimes with our elite school targets and med school dreams. We can look down on people and roles that important. That perspective can influence how these kids act.
And for med school specifically. Georgetown and BC actually recommend it as an excellent ec. So I just don’t want to denigrate it or dissuade this student who May be interested in this ec and community service as a waste of time. It’s not.
That’s kind of what I meant, you were very clear in #9 (though I was less so in #11). As for first responders, I was indirectly describing a pre-med family member above (#7) who has been admirably dedicated to EMT service as her primary collegiate EC.
I was indirect, so I understand your initial interpretation, @privatebanker. So my apology for that. And I definitely like what you’ve since written about EMT service.