<p>I really hate to begin this thread, but all the previous threads specifically addressing my dilemma are either outdated or unhelpful.</p>
<p>I was recently admitted to both schools (NU-Weinberg, GU-College), and I want to fulfill pre-med requirements (bio major).</p>
<p>I live in New Jersey, and I am much more comfortable staying closer to home--on the east coast-- and travelling to Evanston via plane as it seems too expensive/time consuming.</p>
<p>Although NU's prestige in pre-med is far reaching, I'm wary of the infamous Orgo sequence, (understanding it is a weed out course). Although I understand I should not pick a school based on how easy it is to maintain a high GPA, that issue is still on my mind. Furthermore, which school would prepare me more for the MCAT?</p>
<p>Also, from your experiences, what are the pros/cons of the quarter system and the semester system?--> is the rigor of courses at either institute more difficult?</p>
<p>I have visited Georgetown, and liked the feel of the school, but I have only read statistics/information on Northwestern.</p>
<p>This is a very difficult decision, and any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Actually, you should be concerned about keeping a high GPA, as it is one of the most important factors of going to graduate med school. Yes, NU does have a more prestigious pre-med program, but if you feel that Georgetown is better for you (academic-wise and social-wise), then attend Georgetown.</p>
<p>You should also consider how much financial aid (if at all) you get out of each school.</p>
<p>Well I don’t know that. I assumed that you were implying Georgetown pre-med was easier than Northwestern pre-med, my bad. Although I do know a student from Northwestern who currently has a 4.0 as a pre-med major.</p>
<p>I cannot address pre-med aspects of your decision. But I can give my opinion on the quarter system and the “feel” of NU. Our oldest is a current junior in Weinberg and is having a stellar academic and social experience. His apartment mate is pre-med and he is CS major. </p>
<p>Quarter system has several benefits: First, you never have to stress about exams over breaks. Finals for fall quarter occur prior to winter break, finals for winter quarter occur prior to Spring break and spring finals obviously are over before summer break. Second, the quarter system allows a student to take more classes during the course of the year and if a particular class is not enjoyable, you will be moving on in 9 weeks. The quarters are intense, but our eldest prefers this system. </p>
<p>The feel of NU is very similar to GU. We just returned from an accepted student weekend at GU with our youngest son, knowing next to nothing about the school. Both my husband and I were very impressed and felt that GU had a similar academic seriousness among the students as NU and while NU does have frats, they don’t play much of a role in our son’s experience. GU does have more school spirit (I can say this as a graduate of NU myself) and the overall approach seems to be nurturing and focusing on the heart as well as the mind of the students, while NU tends to be more hands-off with the students and non-inclusive of parents in many ways. </p>
<p>Both settings are beautiful campuses amidst urban/suburban enclaves and close to the action of metropolitan areas. NU has far superior access to public transportation and therefore more linked to the city. So, while travel to and from Evanston is an issue for you to consider, the actual feel and setting of NU is quite similar to GU.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances and my advice would be to only focus on the academic (pre-med) aspect of your decision and hassle and cost of travel and/or tuition as your institutional environment will be similar whichever you choose.</p>
<p>I have the same predicament, Georgetown vs Northwestern for premed.
both of them cost pretty much the same for me, and I live in DC…
It’s really a tough decision. please help as much as you can :D</p>