My daughter thinks she’d like to go to med school so she’s looking at colleges where she thinks it wouldn’t be incredibly difficult to get a high GPA while also participating in internships/shadowing, etc. However, it’s very likely she’ll change her career path and we’re looking for suggestions of schools that have a good premed program but also have a good reputation in other areas if she were to change her direction. Good academic advising, career placement and alumni connections is also a plus. She’s a relatively high achiever but also wants to have a social life. She’s open to east coast and south regions. Thank you!
Bates, University of Rochester, Wake Forest, Bucknell, Franklin & Marshall, Holy Cross, Muhlenberg, University of South Florida?
http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/lists/list/the-experts-choice-colleges-with-great-pre-med-programs/199/
Any State U ever?
Stats?
Can you pay your EFC or will you need merit?
My D went to Lafayette College – she starting off thinking about pre-med but decided she didn’t want that long of a haul. Lafayette is strong in the sciences and equally strong in the liberal arts. It just took an email for her to change majors from chemistry to psychology which was more interesting to her (she got a BS which is a more science driven degree) and is she is now in grad school studying speech pathology. I’d say that Lafayette had very good academic advising and strong career placement area (which can help with internships, externships, job placement). And IMO the school has found the “secret sauce” where kids are academically challenged yet still have time to have a social life and pursue research opportunities and ECs they enjoy.
I’m sure many many other schools can fit the bill, but Lafayette worked out very well for my D (who sounds pretty similar to yours).
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@happy1 thank you! That’s the kind of information I was looking for. Lafayette could be a great option; I’ll mention to her.
Daughter has 98 avg, 34 act, fairly rigorous curriculum. We would love to get some merit but we’re willing to consider one or two schools without merit potential.
I’m not sure that “any state U ever” is really a good fit, if that was a serious response. Can’t imagine they are all the same. We’re in NY and all SUNY schools definitely don’t have the same reputation for challenging academics, recruiting or career placement.
A school like Georgetown, for example, is one she’s interested in but we hear it’s very hard to get a high GPA which is important for med school admission. If she didn’t want to go to med school then Georgetown would be a great option (no merit though). We’re trying to disregard rankings and prestige but then again some of those factors are connected to job placement and recruiting.
Look at schools that also have med schools. They tend to take kids from their own undergrad pool. Tufts comes to mind, also Boston University.
There is no set “pre med” major. Med schools require specific courses in science and math and beyond that they are looking for well round students with critical thinking skills. Yes, you are correct about attaining a high GPA, but rigor of courses must also be considered and high MCAT scores. Med school is very expensive, so many look to their local state schools for undergraduate.
If as you go through the process you have more questions about Lafayette, feel free to send me a message. She would have to like the idea of a smaller liberal arts college for it to make sense. Good luck!
@ECmotherx2 I don’t think the OP ever said her D wanted a “pre-med major”. By a pre-med program I think the OP meant that they wanted a school that has good advisors for pre-health fields and that could provide good opportunities in and out of the classroom (ex. modern labs, research with professors etc.) and so forth for pre-med students…
Keep in mind, all roads lead to Rome, meaning there are other options if she wants to study medicine. Western University of the Health Sciences in Pomona, CA is an osteopath school. Osteopath physician is a real option and nurse practitioner are good professional careers. If allopathic medicine doesn’t work out, she can always find alternative paths to caring for patients.
Right, D isn’t looking to major in pre-med since we know there isn’t such a thing, but is considering the advising available for premeds as well as other research and service opportunities.
Any suggestions on state flagships - not NY - that would satisfy the need for a good premed program as well as strong academics in other areas? For example I know IU’s Kelley school is highly respected but what about other programs at IU? Willing to pay OOS tuition if we think it’s a good value.
Right, D isn’t looking to major in pre-med since we know there isn’t such a thing, but does want to consider what advising, research and service opportunities are available to premeds.
Hadn’t thought of osteopath - will mention that to her!
Any suggestions on state flagships - not NY - that would satisfy the need for a good premed program as well as strong academics in other areas? For example I know IU’s Kelley school is highly respected but what about other programs at IU? Willing to pay OOS tuition if we think it’s a good value.