<p>I'm a senior in high school and I was accepted EA to Georgetown in early December. I completely fell in love with the school and I was dead set on becoming a Hoya. That was until 3 days ago when I received my Stanford acceptance letter... I have no idea what to do. I'm a bio major on a pre med track and at GU I was planning on double majoring in Business Admin or International Affairs. Through visits and social media contact, I know that I would be happy at Georgetown. I haven't visited Stanford yet, but I'm planning on doing so later this month.</p>
<p>I love Georgetown's sense of community, location, political contact, networking opportunities, and students but is their bio / pre med program so below Stanford's that I'd be shooting myself in the foot for medical school?
I know Stanford is an amazing school with perfect weather, fantastic research opportunities, a huge campus, intelligent profs and students, but does it live up to its reputation? </p>
<p>I know that I can't make a wrong decision (it's like choosing between a Lamborghini and a Bugatti), but I need some insight. Stanford has a stellar reputation but what is their pre med program like? Is west coast living all that it's cracked up to be? Do medical schools favor one school over another? Though Georgetown is a political powerhouse, does it have enough of a science background to support me?</p>
<p>It really is a no brainier. Pick Stanford. It’s an amazing university, arguably the best in the world. Stanford runs one of the best hospitals in the United States. You’ll have innumerable research opportunities. The Hoover Institute is at Stanford. Etc. etc. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Stanford and Georgetown are both amazing schools with strong programs. You are in a very lucky but difficult situation! </p>
<p>The two schools can be very different. Georgetown being very Eastern and classic , whereas Stanford is very Californian, more diversified and contemporary. </p>
<p>Academically, you cannot not go wrong with either school for your majors, since both institutions have the similiar caliber students and faculty. </p>
<p>Stanford.
My understanding is that many people go into college thinking pre-med and for some reason decide it isn’t for them. The issue then is then what?</p>
<p>Presumably Meyers went into Stanford thinking pre-med, changed along the way went to google and is now ceo of Yahoo!</p>
<p>There are two points:
Does it have a good program? Yes, as mentioned earlier - it is top notch.
If you change, do you have options for something else of a similar high quality? Yes, absolutely.</p>
<p>Since you didn’t mention it, I am assuming that finances are not a major issue.</p>
<p>For med school, it will make absolutely no difference if your degree is from one or the other. BUT, if you change your mind (as tons of pre-meds do) and leave the idea of medicine behind, Stanford will generally open more doors. Visit. If afterwards your heart still belongs to Georgetown, go for it. If not, I’d agree with the other posters and head west young man.</p>
<p>@skyhawk2014. Congratulations! Looking at your academic/biographical profile that you just posted on Stanford’s results thread…I have a very strong feeling you will fall in love with Stanford coming from Ohio…especially during AdmitWeekend. By the way…I know you still are in disbelief that you were “accepted”…and whether you belong at Stanford…make no mistake…they saw something special in you…that you have the capacity to be a game-changer in the future. Best wishes!</p>
<p>You asked about the premed biology program strength and medical school strengths:</p>
<p>Probably 99% of people in CC would recommend Stanford because they are prestige obsessed or only know Stanford. Visit and don’t be afraid to break the mold…=) if you would be happier at Georgetown because only you know yourself and your preferences. These other people don’t have anything riding on your decision. And this is coming from a Stanford Ph.D.</p>
<p>I have a visit scheduled for next week so that should help with my decision. I don’t think I’m so much worried about academics (they both have amazing profs, research opportunities, and resources), I’m concerned about which I would enjoy more. I’m from Ohio, so east coast living is closer to what I know. I’ve also always wanted to live in a city so Stanford’s suburban profile makes me a little wary. The cost for both schools will be around the same figure, about $15,000 in loans, so I’m finances isn’t going to play a role in the decision. Once I visit I’ll be sure to let you all know which way I’m leaning!</p>
<p>@jkeil911‌ That limit is for federal subsidized and federal unsubsidized loans, but that cap doesn’t apply to state or private loans, correct?</p>
<p>for the private loans you’ll need a co-signer, like a parent. They become responsible if you default. Their co-signing can, in some cases, also factor into their credit rating, so that they might not want to do that. Of course, your defaulting would also, should that happen, affect their credit rating.</p>
<p>What state loans? Most states don’t have a loan program to supplement federal loans. Some states offer loans for very specific shortage fields - like nursing or teaching - and you usually have to agree to teach in that state for X years. But generally speaking, federal loans are what’s available to you unless your parents are willing to co-sign a private bank loan for you (or unless one of those schools offers you an institutional loan. Colleges used to do this more often back before the recession, but few of them are doing it anymore).</p>
<p>With that said - I agree that most people will say Stanford, just because it’s Stanford and CC folks do tend to see prestige before everything else. I also admit that before I opened the thread I also thought “Stanford!” but that’s because that’s MY personal preference - the weather and location is a huge draw for me. But it’s definitely not a “no-brainer.” There’s far more important things in college choice than absolute numbers on a mostly-arbitrarily derived rankings list.</p>
<p>But based on what YOU’VE said, it sounds like Georgetown has been your first choice all along. It’s in a city, which is what you want. Georgetown is also a cute neighborhood in DC and you’ll have great opportunities for term-time internships. Georgetown also has a well-reputed medical school and a university hospital attached; there are also plenty of hospitals in the DC area, so if you want research opportunities and opportunities to volunteer you have them too. Hundreds of students go to medical school from Georgetown every year; it’s science offerings will be more than fine for a pre-med student. And it’s not like we’re talking about a tiny unknown college vs. Stanford. Georgetown is a top 20 university. It’s academically rigorous, it’s well-known and well-reputed. There are also tons of famous and successful Georgetown alumni, so if you change your mind about pre-med, you’ll have tons of other options. I don’t agree that Stanford will automatically open more doors, and even if it does, I don’t think the difference will be large enough to make a huge difference in your personal career. What you do in college matters a lot more than where you go, anyway.</p>
<p>It sounds to me like you wanted to go to Georgetown all along, but since you got a letter from a school that’s perceived as “better” now you’re having second thoughts. That’s only natural. But if Georgetown is your true first choice and that’s where you want to go, please go there and don’t look back.</p>
<p>What would I pick personally? Stanford. What would most people on CC pick? Probably Stanford. What would most people in general pick? Again, the answer is likely Stanford. Does that mean you should go to Stanford?</p>
<p>Generally, people recommend picking the university where you’ll be the happiest. This is because the happier you are, the more likely you are to enjoy your college experience and do well academically. Personally, I think Georgetown is one of the most overrated schools on CC. But if you think you’d do well there and you love it, I would unequivocally recommend enrolling there.</p>
<p>I appreciate everyone’s insight and advice and I am happy to announce that I am officially a member of Stanford’s Class of 2018. I had the opportunity to visit three weeks ago and I felt an overwhelming sense of support. It felt like home, and that is what I based my decision off of. Though a piece of me will always belong to Georgetown, I’m happy to be a Tree. The resources and connections and opportunities that will be offered to me, especially in the science department, are unparalleled and I find the relaxed atmosphere comforting. To anyone reading this that is stuck between two universities, VISIT! You’ll know when you find “it”.</p>