Bryn Mawr College (BMC) vs. UPitt vs. UMD College Park for Pre-med?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bryn Mawr College
1

Hello everyone!

I’m a high school senior who’s interested in going down the pre-med track for the next four years and I’m planning to major in Biology. I plan to go to med school after four years and am currently very unsure about which college to go to. My top three choices right now are Bryn Mawr, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh campus), and U Maryland (College Park). I’ve also been admitted to UVM, UMass, and UIUC. Out of the top 3, BMC is the cheapest for me to attend, and that will naturally help towards paying for med school. If I attend UMD, I would also be a College Park Scholar in the Life Sciences. If anyone has info on what exactly that means, please do tell :slight_smile:

Although I do want to maintain a moderate social life, I really wish to study in a focused environment.
I was initially set on going to BMC, given its academic rigor and student body, but now I’m not so sure because the college and the area were very quiet and it didn’t seem like there were a lot of research opportunities around. I’m also questioning whether the classes are as truly rigorous as they say and am wondering about BMC’s reputation with med schools. I also visited UPitt and UMD, and both universities are very large, sprawling, and impressive. I’m sure there are many opportunities for research, but I also know the competition is going to be very intense. And I know that there are always pockets of focused students, but I was getting a very party-oriented vibe from both universities, which is something I don’t want to get swept into.

My parents are way too impressed by UMD and UPitt, mostly because of their size and campuses; sure, they’re both very impressive, but I want to make sure that I’m giving all the schools an equal chance and weighing them fairly. There aren’t that many days left to decide, and I’m very anxious and desperate about this whole thing. So, PLEASE help me as much as you can because I really want to make an informed decision.

Ultimately, I want to go the college that will make me a better critical thinker and person, prepare me better for the MCAT, and help me become a better doctor.

FINALLYY, thank you so much, reader, for reading this long post. I deeply hope you can help me with ANY information you may have. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

-Desperate and Anxious HS Senior

2

I would strongly consider BMC. It’s significantly smaller than the other universities, but you will receive one-on-one guidance and mentorship. BMC has the top post-bac medical program in the country and as an undergrad you’d be taking all of your courses alongside these students. It is excellent preparation for med school and the MCAT. Because of the post-bac program, BMC also has impressive med school advisement and placement. STEM at BMC is VERY rigorous, but because of the small classes you receive individualized attention. It’s MUCH harder to fall between the cracks here than at a big university. My partner was pre-med at Temple University and he really had to do all of his own advising. There was very little guidance that was offered. BMC also offers summer stipends for students to work alongside a professor for the summer. BMC students are always listed first on research produced. Since BMC is also the cheapest option, I really think it’s a win-win.

Here’s info on the post-bac program: http://www.brynmawr.edu/postbac/home.shtml

3

First, what kind of college do you want? The schools you mention are diverse in size and location. After that, if you are looking for a supportive, rigorous education in a safe suburban location with easy access to some of the world’s top pharmas or other abundant research opportunities Bryn Mawr is a great choice. As far as rigor, it is certainly there and it is the kind of rigor that teaches you how to think rather than keeps you busy. D chose BMC for STEM studies and because it provided the kind of environment where she could get personalized attention. The area around is quiet- it is on Philly’s main line with old money homes and quaint downtown shopping. And there is easy access to the consortium schools for a broader social life- fraternity parties, etc. if you want to go to school IN the city and think you would thrive in a bigger school, the others are for you. D wanted to focus on learning and choose her distractions. Bryn Mawr has provided the perfect setting for that experience.

4

If Bryn Mawr ends up being cheapest, go to Bryn Mawr. The quality of education is excellent, and its reputation exceeds UMD and Pitt by a margin as an undergraduate distinction. Those latter two are schools I would consider for graduate study in your intended discipline, and for undergraduate if they were less expensive, not more. Your parents may not understand that those impressive things about the larger universities are not able to benefit you as directly as the strong, dedicated resources at a top LAC like Bryn Mawr.