I was admitted EA UChicago and RD at Columbia. I live in Chicago and have affiliations with UChicago. I plan on majoring in biochem and pursuing pre-med. I’ve already done research at UChicago before, so I’ll definitely get research if I decide to attend there. However, I’m not sure I’ll get research as easily at Columbia. Which school will better support me when I’m applying to med school? I’ve visited both campuses and I’m indifferent to them. I just really want to think this through rationally and figure out which school will better help me achieve my goals.
Another thing. I got a likely letter from Columbia back in March for STEM but was never named a scholar (john jay, rabi, SRF, etc), which is something that I’ve been really unhappy about. I don’t really like the idea that Columbia’s administration gives more attention to 10% of its undergrads. For example, the scholars get crazy benefits like guaranteed research, paid internships, and they get to meet famous speakers occasionally. I feel as if I’m at a disadvantage by attending Columbia; the admissions committee doesn’t want me enough to name me a scholar . At least at UChicago, I’ll be at an advantage since I know my way around there and have already developed connections there. However, maybe its better to leave home and develop new connections at columbia (since I can still retain my connections at Uchicago). Any input at all would be greatly appreciated and feel free to add anything you think would help me in making this decision.
These schools are direct peers, with strong core curricula and a plethora of top-notch programs, located in great cities. Both feature four seasons, sometimes in the same week.
To help you decide whether or not to venture out to New York City, I think you should concentrate on fit.
Finances: which education would cost less, including travel expenses?
Culture: Which campus/city has more cultural/art events going on? Which is more diverse or more like me? Which is safer? What about shopping?
Social: What's the party/Greek scene like? How about dorms and the food? Student activities? City access?
Weather/Environmental concerns: in this case weather and environment -- huge cities -- are at least nominally similar. Still, look for differences and assign values.
Academic fit -- Which school has classes or programs that sound more interesting, or degree requirements that are more appealing? What about access to profs and class sizes?
If you have not yet visited Columbia, you probably should.You can then answer the most important fit question fairly:
Congratulations! I love Columbia and everything about it; but U of Chicago is right up there also.
In regards to your points:
Of course, both colleges will help you in getting into medical school - pretty much equally. I doubt there is much difference there.
As for research, Columbia has a prodigious amount of research on campus. I’m not as familiar with Chicago’s research and where it is being done. But at Columbia, once you got into your major and get to know your department, it would be very easy to find a research position in a lab. Of course at a large research university doing world class research, there is a lot of PhD students and post-docs, and you would be working perhaps more directly with one of them, rather than the professor. But personally, I would prefer that to working directly with a professor at a small school doing useless “research.”
Ideally, you would do some of the research as a SR research course and get Credits for this (as well as an A if you do half way decent job). And if you do it during the summer, hopefully you would get paid. That is where the Scholars program does give some perks, since it would guarantee a line of funding for your summer stipend. But in my previous experience, getting funding did not seem to be a problem in the sciences. I did chemistry research one summer, and I talked to the professor and he arranged for me to be designated one of several NSF fellows for that summer with its corresponding stipend.
I understand your annoyance with the Scholars program. It does provide some perks. But at the end of the day, it would Not really affect your experiences and happiness at Columbia. I hope you don’t let this injustice jaundice your views.
You did not mention the Core. For some, it is onerous and a deterrent (we don’t want those people). Some people really enjoy it. Personally, I really liked Contemporary Civ where you read the great works of Philosophy of western civilization. I did not really like Literature Humanities where you read great literature works. And I really enjoyed the Art and Music Humanities.
Finally,although you down play the campus and location, I do believe this is what most impacts your experiences. Both are elite colleges (although only one is among the Ancient Eight ). You will get a great education at both. You will make friends at both. You will achieve your goals at both. You can quibble about some of the details.
But the Columbia experience is equal parts Ivy League and New York City. If you are open to the NYC experience, then nothing beats it. It’s great to be a college student in NYC, whatever else you do in the future.
I’m a current senior at Columbia and have been speaking to a lot of prospective students about campus life. If you’re interested in knowing what the average Columbia student’s grades are, I recently interviewed a bunch of students on their GPA’s and if (and/or why) their grades matter to them. http://features.columbiaspectator.com/eye/2016/04/13/what-do-we-do-when-we-talk-about-grades/
. At least at UChicago, I’ll be at an advantage since I know my way around there and have already developed connections there. However, maybe its better to leave home and develop new connections at columbia (since I can still retain my connections at Uchicago). Any input at all would be greatly appreciated and feel free to add anything you think would help me in making this decision.
). You will get a great education at both. You will make friends at both. You will achieve your goals at both. You can quibble about some of the details.