<p>Hello, I'm a current HS senior looking to double major in English and either Neuroscience or Biology and then go to medical school. I'm interested in Bryn Mawr, Barnard, Smith, Wellesley, and Vassar. I would love it if anyone could share their thoughts on the English and science programs at these schools, and their pre-med advising? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi ak1016,</p>
<p>I’m a current History of Art major and English minor at Bryn Mawr, so I can only speak on behalf of our programs, but I’ll try to be as informative as possible!</p>
<p>English is one of the most popular departments at Bryn Mawr and as a minor, I really can’t speak highly enough of it. The professors are very invested in their students and in academia at large. My very first semester at Bryn Mawr I took a Shakespeare course and was invited by the professor to be interviewed with her by the New York Times about digital humanities - as a freshman! The work is challenging but very rewarding - emphasis is placed on your ideas rather than memorization or proving you did the reading. The topics are really diverse and interesting, too, but if you are looking for something else, there’s always Haverford, Swarthmore, and UPenn. You could even major at Haverford if you preferred their department. Here’s the department website: [Bryn</a> Mawr College: English](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/english/]Bryn”>Literatures in English | Bryn Mawr College)</p>
<p>I haven’t taken many courses in the sciences, but Bryn Mawr has a very high percentage of students involved with STEM departments. There’s a ton of emphasis and funding towards student research. The halls of the science center are lined with posters created by student research teams - unusual for an undergraduate department. Many STEM majors stay on campus for the summer to work with professors on research while receiving funding from the college. Because Bryn Mawr also has a very selective Post-Bac program, our pre-med program for undergrads is equally as prestigious. </p>
<p>Our Neuroscience program is comprised of several departments and is offered as a minor, however it nicely complements a Biology or Psychology major. A recent concentrator is now getting her PhD through the Gates Cambridge Scholarship: [Bryn</a> Mawr Student Brielle Stark ?12 Wins Gates Cambridge Scholarship to Pursue Ph.D. in Neuroscience : News](<a href=“http://news.brynmawr.edu/2012/02/16/brielle-stark-awarded-gates-cambridge-scholar/]Bryn”>http://news.brynmawr.edu/2012/02/16/brielle-stark-awarded-gates-cambridge-scholar/)</p>
<p>More on the neuroscience program here:[Bryn</a> Mawr College: Neuroscience](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/neuroscience/]Bryn”>Neuroscience | Bryn Mawr College)
and Biology: [Bryn</a> Mawr College: Biology](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/biology/]Bryn”>Biology | Bryn Mawr College)</p>
<p>While students do elect to double major, it’s important to keep in mind that Bryn Mawr requires students to write a thesis - it’s not optional (except for a couple departments like Psychology, Sociology, and Math). Therefore, if you decided to double major in English and Biology, you would be expected to write an English thesis and a Biology thesis comprised of some sort of independent research. As I’ve said, it’s totally possible (I’ve known some Chemistry/Philosophy and Biology/English majors), but it is intensive.</p>
<p>Some more info on Bryn Mawr and STEM :[$1</a> Million Grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute Recognizes Bryn Mawr as a Top Producer of Scientists : News](<a href=“http://news.brynmawr.edu/2012/05/31/howard-hughes-medical-institute/]$1”>http://news.brynmawr.edu/2012/05/31/howard-hughes-medical-institute/)
For example, Bryn Mawr is ranked 12th among all U.S. colleges and universities in terms of the percentage of female graduates who go on to pursue doctorates in the STEM Fields.</p>
<p>I know that was a lot, but I hope at least some of it was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions!</p>
<p>Thanks englishivy! That was really helpful. Bryn Mawr is pretty much top of my list now. I’m not sure I’ll double major but I will at least go for an English major and science minor. The opportunities at BMC seem wonderful.</p>
<p>Anyone else have comments on the other schools mentioned (Barnard, Smith, Wellesley)?</p>
<p>I was an English major at Wellesley decades ago. The department was first class, including very well known poets and scholars such as Robert Pinsky, David Ferry, and Frank Bidart. Classes were small and discussion-based. There was no such thing as a survey course with a “textbook.” Expectations were very high. I would assume that the same still holds true.</p>
<p>Wellesley has always had tons of pre-med students, and I believe they were very successful in med school admission. Since then, they put even more funds into the sciences, including a completely revamped and expanded Science Center and so forth. In addition to that, cross-registration with MIT is obviously a significant science/math resource.</p>
<p>When I was a student, the senior year thesis was an Honors project that one had to be invited to do by the department, so not everyone did one. I found it to be a hugely rewarding endeavor.</p>
<p>I am not up on the current departments at Wellesley. I hope that a more recent grad will turn up and tell you about it. But I can assure you that everything they do is first class. :)</p>
<p>Thank you Consolation, Wellesley also sounds brilliant! Definitely applying there. I hadn’t known about the MIT cross-registration before, that’s great. </p>
<p>Other comments on English and/or sciences at Barnard, Vassar, Smith?</p>
<p>You have a great list of schools. DO visit them all as this Dad found that “fit” was so important for my D. My D LOVES Smith and especially the English program. </p>
<p>As to the hard sciences, Smith puts a great deal of effort into attracting the best, and giving them immediate research opps via the STRIDE program. Check it out.</p>
<p>Smith’s pretty strong in the sciences, and it’s investing quite a lot of money in them. I’ve heard English is strong as well as long as you’re not trying to do a lot of creative writing because there aren’t many courses in that. I suggest you post another thread at the Smith forum, you’ll get a lot of detailed answers from parents and students who know a lot more about it than I do (I’m about to start my first year), but they don’t always check this forum.</p>
<p>brie99 - Thanks for the info! Unfortunately I probably won’t be able to visit since I live on the West Coast but it’s great advice. I’ve looked into the STRIDES program on your advice and it sounds great! </p>
<p>Guitar500 - I’m not planning to study much creative writing so that’s okay, but I’m glad to hear that Smith’s English department is otherwise solid. Thank you for the suggestion as well!</p>
<p>D2 majored in Film studies, minored in Physics and finished the premed requirements at Barnard. It can be done and still allow time for other electives.</p>
<p>Thanks mardad! Having time to double major or to have a minor and still finish premed reqs has been a big concern for me. Does anyone know if Bryn Mawr, Smith, Wellesley are good for double majoring in two different fields (no overlap)? Is it doable or too intense? I know that BMC requires a thesis for both majors.</p>
<p>I’ve met many double majors at Smith, and while Smith is intense even if you’re not double majoring, it seems to be doable. It’s specially easy at Smith because of the open curriculum. There’s only one requirement, a writing intensive course during your first year, so it’s definitely possible to double major while still having quite a few electives.</p>
<p>It’s true that many majors require a thesis at Bryn Mawr, however our premed courses are the same courses students offered in our PostBac program ([Bryn</a> Mawr College: Postbaccaulareate Premedical Program](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/postbac/]Bryn”>Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program | Bryn Mawr College)). The PostBac is for students who have already completed their undergraduate education but wish to go back and fulfill all premed requirements. It’s one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country and has linkages with several top medical schools. The advisers for the PostBac program also advise undergraduate premed students. Since you’ll be in the same classes at Postbac Students, not only do they serve as a resource for tips on applying to medical school, but you can rest assured that you’re receiving a rigorous science background that will position you well for medical school.</p>