Bowdoin vs. Colby vs. Bates

<p>I’m a sophomore in high school and I maintain a 95 average in classes. I want to be a doctor and I’m wondering which college has a better Pre Med program?</p>

<p>All three schools are good. I think getting into Med School from any of these schools is less about the school than it is about how you apply yourself and how well you do in the classes. You can’t go wrong with any of these schools.</p>

<p>Bowdoin has a slightly better reputation than the other two (and is more selective), but all are excellent schools.</p>

<p>Bowdoin is very strong in pre-med and the sciences</p>

<p>This is strange but true…We live near a top ten research hospital and when my son had major medical issues we met a lot of doctors (MD and MD/PHD) and found at least one who graduated from each of these schools. And were are 1,500 miles away! I agree with GDMACK. I think these schools will weed out the weak students and those who finish will be well equipped to move on to good grad schools. Best of luck.</p>

<p>Honestly, i don’t think those three are in the same line… For me it was definitely Bowdoin> Colby> Bates( in selectivity, reputation …) . But I do agree that you must choose school that you find most comfortable and involved rather than based on ranks. But other things being equal (like financial aid) I say I would choose Bowdoin.</p>

<p>Bates has 2 hospitals each just a few blocks away. Lots of opportunities there.</p>

<p>Bowdoin is very strong in the sciences and has a great track record of placing students in top pre-med programs. Academically it is much stronger than Colby and Bates. But the schools, though all in Maine, are different. Most important is which one is the best fit for you. If you apply yourself, you can do great things coming from any of the three schools. Good luck!</p>

<p>You might double check but I think at least one of the schools and perhaps all of them have a special arrangement with Tufts Medical School where you can apply at the end of your Sophmore year and not have to worry so much for your last two years.</p>

<p>^
[Maine</a> Track Professional School Affiliations | Career Development Center | Bates College](<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/career/students/advanced-studies-graduate-and-professional-school-advising/health-professions-advising/maine-track-professional-school-affiliations/]Maine”>http://www.bates.edu/career/students/advanced-studies-graduate-and-professional-school-advising/health-professions-advising/maine-track-professional-school-affiliations/)</p>

<p>One of the benefits of this program is that students don’t have to take the MCAT.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that the goal of the Maine track education is to develop more primary care physicians that will stay in Maine, which is not an ideal case if you want to become a specialist or practice in an urban environment.</p>

<p>This question is asked often and I believe (and medical school matriculation data will support) that where you go to undergraduate school has a negligible effect on acceptance to medical school. The two primary factors of a medical school acceptance are GPA and MCAT. All things being equal, a student from a school like Bowdoin with the same GPA as a Bates or Colby student, will most likely be accepted, but all things are never equal. I go to Bowdoin, but you should pick the school that you feel most comfortable with and the school you think you can do the best in and thrive.</p>

<p>If you get the GPA, the MCAT, the ECs, and you are sure you want to become a doctor, then going to any of these schools will be beneficial. </p>

<p>As for the Maine Track program, the program prefers Maine residents or students from Maine undergraduate schools because Maine does not have an in-state medical school, so Maine residents are at a disadvantage when looking for a medical school. </p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>You’ve seen from all the other posts that all three of the colleges have a great reputation academically, so you could choose either of those schools and do well. You could go to Colby or Bates or Bowdoin and as long as you apply yourself, everything will turn out fine. Now you can afford to be picky. You can ask yourself things like… Do I like the town? Do I like what the area has to offer? Are there extra-curricular activities I know I’ll enjoy? etc., etc. </p>

<p>Maine is a very diverse state. I have personally visited Bowdoin and live a few hours north of Colby. My opinion is that Brunswick (the area around Bowdoin) has more to offer than the area around Colby (I could just be bored with Waterville because I’ve been there enough). Bowdoin is a skip away from the ocean and Colby isn’t too far from some nice lakes. So, it’s back to the being picky thing. Where do you think you’ll enjoy yourself the most? Look at the clubs offered at each school, take a tour, talk to some alumni and find out which school is “you”.</p>

<p>P.S.
Bowdoin has a great outing club that travels all across Maine on expeditions like hiking Mt. Katahdin, ocean kayaking, skiing at BigRock, etc.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>