<p>I have recently been awarded a spot in the Honors Fellows program at Elon University. This will bring the price of Elon down to $13,000 less than Furman. Also, I will be required to complete an undergraduate research requirement that I hear is very demanding. But, (I'm pretty sure I'm right) I heard Furman was either 2nd in the nation in undergraduate research, or very highly ranked. So, i have good opportunity to complete research at both if that is what i wish to do. I have visited both and liked Furman more than Elon. I liked the social scene at Furman more and had almost decided on going there until i found out I got into the honors program at Elon. I want to be an endocrinologist, and i know Furman has a strong pre-med program. I am afraid Elon's is not so strong. I know one can get into med school from any college, but is it worth 13000 more to go to Furman with their stronger program? Or, in my case, is Elon's honors program enough to pull me away from Furman and towards Elon? Thanks to anyone who may reply.</p>
<p>When/how did you hear that you are an Honors Fellow? I’m sorry, I can’t really answer your questions because I don’t know much about Elon’s premed program, but I am also competing to be an Honors Fellow and am anxious about when we’ll be notified.</p>
<p>How much easier will it be to afford medical school if your undergraduate degree costs $52,000 less?</p>
<p>Both are good schools, but Furman like you said is one of the best small private colleges in the Country (Highly Ranked) my sister went there. Almost everyone I know, has heard of Furman, I cant say the same about Elon. Not sure it makes that big of difference anyways, as the school you go to for Medical School is the one that means the most on your resume.
Did you try UNC or Duke? </p>
<p>P</p>
<p>I got an email March 25th telling me that I got the scholarship. The choice was due march 26 at night so hopefully you ended up getting an email. I got into carolina and do not want to go. I don’t think I will get into duke, but even if i do, it will most likely be too expensive. I have been told by many not to worry so much about the money and go where I really want to go. Furman costs 35000 and elon costs 22000. I don’t think the money is such a huge determining factor, but if neither school gives an advantage, then I will save the money and go to elon.</p>
<p>Curious about UNC. Their pre med school along with Med School, couldve wrote your ticket anywhere, they are that recognized Nationally as one of the top schools in the Nation. I have two Uncles that are successful doctors that attended UNC.
Anyways, are those costs after all is said and done with scholarships and aid?</p>
<p>P</p>
<p>those costs are worst case scenarios, so they can only get better. I want smaller classes and a smaller school, so I have never really had the urge to go to Unc. Both my parents went to Unc and they see why i would want to go somewhere different. But, which do you think would prepare me better? Better yet, if price was not a factor, would furman still prove to be a better choice for pre med?</p>
<p>Just remember, no matter which one you chose, you are chosing a good school. I personally would ask yourself. Which could you see yourself at, and which one made you excited as you walked around the campus. Go with your gut and heart on this one .</p>
<p>That is what I keep hearing… I know your comment is 100% right but its just a tough decision to make. I guess i will be leaning towards Furman! Thanks you guys</p>
<p>I wanted to address the comment on UNC. There is no college that exists where a pre-med can “write their own ticket” To get accepted to medical school, a student would need to do very well at UNC ( and anywhere else). At any large state university, the preliminary classes are large, and not every student in them is destined for medical school. UNC is no different in that aspect. Smaller LAC’s like Elon and Furman are different learning environments, and it is just as possible to be well prepared for med school coming from a smaller LAC. The OP has decided this is the preference.</p>
<p>And you know this how? Pre med is not as important as I mentioned as far as how a resume looks. But Believe me, Furman or Elon can’t hold a candle to UNC (Top 10 easily) when it comes to Medical School.Yes, pre med is different, but once in UNC, you do have an advantage by already being there in so many different ways.</p>
<p>P</p>
<p>As a healthcare provider myself and having graduated from a small LAC for undergrad, then onto
Georgetown University, and finally a residency at Indiana University, I have met successful students from all walks of life. My opinion ~ and I have shared this with my daughter who will likely attend Elon ~ go to the school where you think you will thrive as an individual. The OP has great options for undergrad and if he/she is successful in undergrad then he/she will have great options past college graduation. Please don’t assume people can ride the coattails of a prestigious school into graduate school. I have met some amazing minds from very humble backgrounds. Go to the school were YOU can be your most successful self…place less emphasis on the logo.</p>
<p>I have no opinion about Elon vs Furman for the poster, but since I, a Northerner, had barely heard of Furman, I checked it out. It’s number 52 on the US News list of national liberal arts colleges and accepts 77% of applicants vs 55% for Elon. That’s not to say it might be a better choice, but at least using that stat, it’s not superior to Elon.</p>
<p>Both of my children turned down UNC (the younger is a student at Furman). UNC is a good school but the the opportunities to do meaningful research with individual faculty members as an undergraduate is more difficult to secure simply due to the large number of students and the fact that most faculty are mentoring graduate student research and simply don’t have the time. </p>
<p>Academically strong small colleges provide the student with the opportunity to have individual lab stations (not shared with a group of four like most large state schools such as UNC). The faculty at Furman are very involved with students. The 77% acceptance rate for 2012 was, I believe, an attempt on Furman’s part to bring in more diversity (in terms of talents, region of the country, etc) in the student body. Many students and faculty were unhappy with the compromises (in terms of qualifications of applicants) made to do this The acceptance rate dropped significantly for the class entering in 2013 as Furman retooled some of its practices from the previous year’s experiment.</p>
<p>BTW- UNC posts the undergraduate origins of its entering medical class each year. There is no advantage to attending UNC for med school.Here’s a link to the undergraduate origins of this year’s class: <a href=“http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/about-unc/our-students/demographics/demographics#schools”>http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/about-unc/our-students/demographics/demographics#schools</a></p>
<p>First year med students came from Western Carolina, UNC-Charlotte, App State as well as Haravrd and John’s Hopkins</p>
<p>Oh Dear. A few typos above. Johns Hopkins and Harvard (mispelled).
Clarification- a UNC undergraduate degree offers no advantage in being admitted to UNC’s med school. In years past, the numbers of students from given undergraduate schools were listed. As one can see, the med students graduated from a wide range of universities and liberal arts colleges. As an earlier poster mentioned, the OP should focus on what feels right.</p>