Can someone help me weigh out my options here? I don’t want to ask which is the better school because that question can’t really be answered. But what do you think the strengths and weaknesses of each school are. Oh, and I aspire to go to med school. Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS on three outstanding acceptances!
All these fine universities will provide excellent pre-med course work and prepare you well for both medical school and the MCAT examination (I cannot address the other schools, but Duke annually achieves about an 85 percent medical school acceptance rate).
With this said, there’s no question Duke’s is reputation is somewhat more stellar than ether Emory or UVa. I recognize that’s a comparison you didn’t especially want; however, you provided virtually no information which would permit CC participants to assess the institutions’ strengths and weaknesses FOR YOU. To illustrate, for some undergraduates (to provide a single example) a vibrant intercollegiate athletic program wouldn’t mean much, whereas others would find it to be an significant element of college life, of undergraduate solidarity and fun, and of beyond-the-classrooom learning.
It’s likely that more information regarding what is important to YOU would help posters to better respond to your key “strengths and weaknesses” question. I’ll close by urging you to spend serval days, living as an undergraduate, on each campus; that is the BEST way to ascertain YOUR individual “cultural fit” – which is VITAL to making the optimal decision.
To be honest, I was leaning towards Duke anyway. I wanted to see if anyone out there could give me any reason that would convince me that the other two were better choices. But so far, it seems as though everyone is agreeing with me. I haven’t gotten my financial aid offers from the other schools, but Duke is basically free. @TopTier
If it’s actually free, Duke, and pre-med, I’d suggest VERY few other options will be equal or better.
Duke basically free makes it the no-brainer choice. Congratulations and good luck!