CMU vs. BU vs. NEU for chemistry (pre-med)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
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I’m choosing between Carnegie Mellon University, Boston University, and Northeastern University. I got into Chem for everywhere, and I plan to minor in computer science. However, I’m interested in taking business, finance, and engineering classes just to see if they spark my interest.

I visited CMU recently, and I really liked it. The people, atmosphere, campus, etc. But Pittsburgh sucks tbh. Also, the food and athletic center is terrible. The small dorms I can live with, but id prefer better dorms. Furthermore, I’m not sure if undergrad chem there is good. CMU is known for engineering, math, and comp Sci, not bio or chem. Additionally, CMU is known to be a rigorous school which would affect my GPA and consequently my medical school admittance negatively.

BU and NEU are enticing because they’re in Boston (which is incredible for college kids IMO) and they have great food, dorms, and athletic centers. Generally, CMU is ranked much higher than BU and NEU. But i think BU, NEU, and CMU’s undergrad Chem are basically the same (i can’t back this up at all). I’m going to have a much better college experience in Boston than at CMU, that is if the people there are as great at the people at CMU. Plus, BU has a med school so perhaps going to undergrad there may positively affect my chances of admittance there.

Lastly, I heard that med schools don’t acknowledge the undergrad schools applicants went to. They just look at GPA. So even if CMU does have a better (harder) chem program than BU and NEU, my GPA would probably suffer if I went to CMU.

Something to add: money DOES NOT have to be taken into account in my decision

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One thing to note: BU has known grade deflation. If med school GPA is your aim, it may not be the best choice. To give the flip side of that,

I love Boston, and while NEU / BU / CMU are all comparable, you are right that CMU will have a significant difference.

How do you feel about co-op? It’s a standard NEU question but it’s the backbone of the school. If it’s not a factor and you can do without Boston, go CMU. Otherwise, I would go NEU over BU for co-op and against BU’s grade deflation.

Of course factor in other fit factors between BU and NEU.

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The nice thing about neu is that you can do medical coops before you go and that will help your med school application. One of our friends son is working in an ER for his first six month coop. Both bu and cmu have grade deflation. I am not aware of grade deflation at neu.

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Medical co-ops. UMass Medical Center. Enough said.