<p>So, these three are my top choices. I'm going to the open houses for all three. I understand that the differences among them are vast, especially between Bowdoin and the other two. I'd like to study premed and major in math. Are any of these schools stronger than the others in this course of study? Here's what I've come up with so far for which school offers the best -----.</p>
<p>Food (important!): Bowdoin
Weather: Vanderbilt
Teachers: Bowdoin
Town: Probably Vandy. Nashville is supposed to be amazing, although being a short ride from Chicago is nice too.</p>
<p>I do not know much about Bowdoin, but I can speak on the other two. Northwestern is ranked higher than Vanderbilt, and in terms of prestige, it is considered to be more prestigious than Vanderbilt. Pre-med, however, is another issue. Vanderbilt is one of the only elite universities (if not THE only) to have its own cancer research center. Its medical school is a 'T-20' institution, while Northwestern's Feinberg cannot boast this same reputation. Vanderbilt, while weaker in law and business than Northwestern, is known as a "science school" and Vandy's med school is praised in the world of medicine.</p>
<p>"Its medical school is a 'T-20' institution, while Northwestern's Feinberg cannot boast this same reputation."</p>
<p>For heaven's sake. Right now USNews has Vandy med school at #18 and Northwestern at #21. It would be ridiculous to put much stock in that difference even if you were choosing a med school; it should not play any role in selecting an undergrad college.</p>
<p>I got the same impression about Vandy's premed program compared to Northwestern's by looking at some profiles on mdapplicants.com... Vandy seems to be stronger. I agree that presitge isn't very reliable, and it's of minimal concern to me.</p>
<p>bowdoin provides one of the best undergraduate educations in the country. it is a phenomenal school if you could handle the remoteness and the weather.</p>
<p>Northwestern is fab! Vandy is great too. i still feel research universities have more prestige/name recognition in general (especially amongst immigrants & overseas).</p>
<p>NU is actually a better science school also, as far as ranking goes:
bio: NU 29, Vandy 34
chem: NU 9, Vandy 59
phys: NU 29, Vandy 62</p>
<p>Perhaps Vandy is "known" to be a "science school" because that's how they try to project themselves when their other non-science programs aren't that known either and they do have a good medical school as the platform for its marketing.</p>
<p>NU doesn't sell itself as science school because it's so strong in variety of other fields. To many, NU is more known for business/law/journalism/theater even it has one of the best chemistry departments. Its science is overshadowed by other programs to most random persons on the street but for those in the know, it's very strong in science also.</p>
<p>jsph89,
the mdapplicant.com shows the profiles of admitted students for each medical school. It shows nothing about premeds.</p>
<p>You definitely have the right approach. I'd called the premed advising at NU before and I was told the premed placement rate is around 80%. Vandy's is probably very similar. Unless Vandy's is very different, I'd consider other factors more so than premed placement.</p>
<p>I know all 3 schools well. Very different in style and feel, but all will get you into med school if that's your objective. All have strong academic reputations and med school adcoms will know that. Post grad acceptance rates are very high for all 3. Do well at any, in almost any cirriculum and you're in. I wouldn't base my decision on grad school admission. </p>
<p>Pick the school that you find most engaging and fits right. Then you'll do your best and med school will surely follow. Find the wrong fit and then all bets are off.</p>