<p>As I'm sure you figured out from the title of this post, I'm currently trying to decide whether to attend Boston University or Wesleyan. I'm going to be a pre-med majoring in Biology. Financially, my family could use some aid, and although I wasn't given any FA from BU, I was awarded with the Dean's scholarship (10k). On the other hand, Wesleyan still hasn't given me my FA package since I submitted a tax extension, but should be coming up with one some time soon.
From what I've heard and read about, Wesleyan has a very strong science program with abundant research opportunities and a high percentage of pre-meds who are accepted to med school (>90%). However, BU has the upper hand location wise since it is in the heart of Boston whereas Wesleyan is well.. a little more secluded. I could really use some input to help me make this decision. What would you choose if you were in my predicament? Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>…anyone?</p>
<p>First of all ignore any college’s percentage of those admitted to med school. The way colleges calculate this is terribly inconsistent and often misleading. </p>
<p>Both schools will offer you a strong preparation for medical school. If you’re serious about med school–choose the one which offers you the best FA package. Med school is expensive and there is very little grant aid available–which means you want to minimize your undergrad debt as much as possible.</p>
<p>If the aid is more or less equivalent–then choose the one that offers you the best “fit.”</p>
<p>I would never choose a college solely on its purported numbers of med school admits. 65-75% of all freshmen pre-meds never even apply to medical school. And not because of grades, but because their interests/goals change during college.</p>
<p>Kind of hard to underestimate Wesleyan’s network and the school’s ability to offer you great research opps. With the Jackson Labs project being moved to the UConn Med Center in Farmington from Maine–and–Wesleyan and Yale getting a piece of the research pie along with UConn Med–Central CT and Southern CT will offer many research opportunities for the students of those three schools in a very short time. If Wes can come up with the FA package that you want-that would be great for you. Wes has a very strong Biology program and a superior network of alums in the medical field who do look out for their own if you have the proper credentials. Just because BU is in Boston does not automatically make it better, and just because Wesleyan is in Middletown does not discount its impact as an undergraduate school. The FA package is key for you and don’t believe the hype of what anyone tells you about either school…do your research-you can’t lose on either --again-if you get the correct FA package.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your advice. I’ll definitely wait for Wesleyan’s FA package before making up my mind.
WayOutWestMom - I agree that the percentage of those admitted to med school shouldn’t be a factor in my decision since some of these schools often discourage unqualified pre-meds from even applying.
aberdeen - I wasn’t suggesting that the fact that BU is in Boston makes it better than wesleyan, on the contrary I believe Wesleyan is the superior school. The reason why I mentioned it to begin with is because: a) My sibblings live in Boston and my family owns an apartment that is right next to BU, and b) I live in Athens, Greece meaning that I’ve grown up in more of a city environment than Middletown. Therefore I’m a little skeptical about the whole suburban setting. Plus I really like Boston, though Wesleyan isn’t that far from it.</p>
<p>Not regarding finances, I would pick personally pick Wesleyan.</p>
<ul>
<li>one of the strongest science programs in the nation for any liberal arts college</li>
<li>nice campus and facilities, from sports fields to labs</li>
<li>small and supportive</li>
<li>rigorous; seriously, the kids there were pretty smart</li>
</ul>
<p>It is kind of “hippy liberal”, and they pride themselves on being so, so you’d have to find out if you’re comfortable with that.</p>
<p>Caveat: I don’t know anything about BU.</p>
<p>Somerset - thanks for your input. Seeing as my top choice was Brown and I applied ED there, I’m comfortable with the “hippy liberal” thing. I’m starting to lean towards Wesleyan as well. Thanks again!</p>