Columbia Vs. USC

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!!!

@fattycat96

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.