<p>I'm having a fairly difficult time deciding between these two schools. I've visited both schools and from what I've seen it seems like Wash U has a slightly stronger premed program, but I just loved Cornell and Ithaca. Not that I don't like Wash U, they were both great. I just have a slight preference for Cornell. I really don't know what to do. I'm set on pre-med and I know Cornell's med school is in New York City- will this be a problem? I know at WashU I can do research at the medical school, but I do hear that you can intern at the med school in NYC, but what exactly does this entail? </p>
<p>I really want to go to Cornell, but only if the opportunities available to premeds there are relatively similar. I know thta going exclusively off of acceptance rates, WashU has it slightly better, but I'm willing to take a slightly weaker program just for the chance to go to Cornell. </p>
<p>As for money, that really isn't an issue as I'd be paying almost the same at either school.</p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>Is there anything specific about Cornell’s program that you think makes it “weak?”</p>
<p>The only advantage I can see from having an affiliated med school nearby is that you can do clinical research. But, the vast majority of premeds simply aren’t equipped to do clinical research in the first place and don’t do clinical research. So, if you’re just going to end up growing mammalian cells in a petri dish, it’s pretty much a similar experience whether you do it in an university lab or a med school lab.</p>
<p>If you have any specific questions about Cornell, I can answer those as an alumnus. If you have any questions about WashU’s med school, I might be able to answer those as well as I interviewed there when I was applying for med school and was there this past summer doing research as a med student. Most WashU premeds do research on the undergrad campus, not the medical school.</p>
<p>I’m not saying Cornell has a “weak” program. I’m just referring to my perceptions overall of Cornell having a good program, but Wash U’s being slightly better. I know one of the factors at Wash U is the access to volunteer/shadowing opportunities through the med school and the Barnes-Jewish hospital. Are similar opportunities available at Cornell? I’m sure they must have something for premed students to get clinical experience, but I’d feel a lot better if I could know for certain what is available there. </p>
<p>And I know Pre-med is hard everywhere, but with hard work will it be possible to maintain a decent GPA? I know this is probably a dumb question but Cornell does have a reputation for being grade deflated and difficult to graduate from, along with cutthroat (though I’m sure its not as bad as everyone makes it out to be).</p>
<p>All you need for volunteering and shadowing is a hospital. Ithaca does have hospitals lol </p>
<p>Stapling papers at Johns Hopkins Hospital is the same as stapling papers at your local community hospital. </p>
<p>Cornell specific has two programs that pairs you with local doctors to shadow (so you don’t have to cold call doctors yourself). And the local medical center has a fairly vibrant volunteer program so it’s not hard to volunteer.</p>
<p>Cornell’s grade deflation is a complete myth. It’s average GPA is 3.4, which is similar to peer schools.</p>
<p>I’m Human Ecology at Cornell vs. Arts+Sciences at WashU if that makes a difference.,…</p>
<p>WashU is a great school and has a great premed program. WashU med school is one of the top in the nation. Great research opportunities. WashU is located in a pretty big city and close to everything. Beautiful and safe campus. I say go to WashU.</p>
<p>Go wherever you will be happiest, and whichever place will set you back the least financially. Both Cornell and Wash U will be fantastic schools for pre-med, I think at this point the variable that will determine if you get into medical school is your own drive and not the resources the schools have to offer.</p>
<p>^I agree with this.</p>
<p>From the sound of it, it looks like you fairly strongly prefer Cornell.</p>
<p>There’s really no difference b/w the premed programs of the two schools.</p>
<p>You like Cornell, Cornell will supply you with all things needed to be a good applicant. Go to Cornell.</p>