<p>which one would you choose overall?</p>
<p>in terms of pre-med?</p>
<p>hmmmmmmmmmm..... i'm not sure. i am interested in both.</p>
<p>Have you visited both? The surrounding environments are REALLY different, and I'd say the student bodies are pretty different as well.</p>
<p>They are both excellent schools with similar SAT stats and such, but with big differences that may help you decide which you'd prefer:</p>
<p>Carleton vs Tufts
Rural vs suburban
Northeast vs Midwest
2000 vs 5000
no greek system vs some greek life
90% live on campus vs 75%
1/4 minnesotans vs 1/4 massachusettans</p>
<p>At Carleton, Bio is one of the more popular majors and it's very strong overall in science, especially for women.
Tufts does not list bio as one of the popular majors.</p>
<p>None of these distinctions are "better" or "worse", just different.</p>
<p>Definitely go visit both and meet students to see what you think.
Good luck,</p>
<p>Are you asking the right question?</p>
<p>Bingle's comment about Carleton's recognized strength in the sciences is well taken. In any given year its PhD productivity in these fields will rank in the top 3 of all non-tech colleges and universities in the nation. Even though biology is the most popular major on campus, the physical sciences are actually proportionately even more popular compared to peer colleges - Carleton produces in absolute numbers more chemistry, geology and physics majors than many elite schools triple its size. </p>
<p>BUT, I'd argue that while these facts might be relevent to someone interested in pursuing graduate degrees in these fields, remember that medical school is a very different animal. As a group, they will not show preference for a biochemistry major over a philosophy major. They'll all expect that you show strong grades in science courses, but as is the case in college admissions these days, in med school admissions diversity is now the name of the game as well. There are med schools where undergrad non-science majors now outnumber science majors.</p>
<p>Both schools will prepare you extraordinarily well. Ultimately, find that place that makes you happiest and promotes the best of what you are. teenage_cliche and bingle are right in emphasizing the significant differences between these colleges. Spend time exploring which school will fit you best as an individual. Ultimately that will be the most important predictor of what follows, be it medical school or some as yet unidentified other path.</p>