Hey everybody! I want to go the premed route, and one of the biggest factors of going premed is having a great undergraduate GPA. I have been accepted to both Columbia and USC. I will not receive financial aid at either. If I go to Columbia, I’ll have to run track, meaning a lot of my time will be dedicated to that. I’m worried I won’t be able to get a good GPA while balancing all the other factors at Columbia. Is it possible? In terms of USC, I am not as worried about getting a solid GPA. My gut tells me USC seems more social and it’ll be easier having fun there, but It’s tough turning down Columbia…
I would recommend visiting both schools. Altho you are correct you will proabaly get a better GPA at USC, at Columbia you will gain brownie points for being at a top school, like being in honors courses, so it many equal out. Columbia has a 90% acceptance rate for first time applicants to med school, I do not know what USC’s is.
Do you have to run track for all 4 years, or can you drop it after a year?
Being on the track team might just make you more efficient with your time. Or you can (unfortunately) just give up something else, like going out a lot. You can handle it.
I’d go to Columbia.
Just an assumption but since you got into Columbia, you probably can manage work and play.
NYC’s a great place, well, most of the time. I’d ask you to come attend Columbia!
I’m at Berkley. I am so glad that I didn’t choose USC! Have so many friends there as Bio majors and the science classes are killers. The worst is the non-English speaking TA’s that you pretty much rely on to give your grade and teach the class. I can’t believe how many have such thick accents that you are pretty much on your own.
In addition, they grade so hard that most science classes have a B or C average!! NOT GOOD for future med school students. Cal is so much better and more fair in this regard
Heard GREAT things about Columbia!!!
How did you know you were already accepted by Columbia and USC?
Did you get a likely letter from Columbia?
How about USC? I thought only the ones who were selected for scholarships were accepted early.
You would be under no obligation to participate in athletics, even if you were admitted as a recruit. Just pass the swim test during freshman orientation and that’s the end of your Columbia athletic career, if you wish.