<p>I want to study and major psychology and go the pre-med route. I was wondering between these two colleges, which will provide me with a better opportunity to get into medical school and provide a good psychology research opportunity? I know that they both have high percentage rates of getting accepted, it's just a matter of which is more practical and realistic.</p>
<p>Is there anyone in either college who has taken the same route (with also a minor) and is willing to give me advice on what to expect? Will I have free time for clubs and other activities and have time for other classes that I am interested in?</p>
<p>Also did you have fun at either college? I don't want to be bored, and don't plan to stay in my dorm studying the whole time.</p>
<p>D is majoring in psych with a neuroscience concentration. She started off a bio major but since Grinnell doesn’t really have the traditional human bio courses that she is more interested in, she decided to major in psych. She likes the PSY major and likes her adviser (who also teaches neuroscience courses). There is plenty of opportunity to develop research projects and many of the PSY classes had a lab component.For PSY related extracurriculars, she has done crisis line training, tutors at the women’s prison and will be doing a neuroscience internship at Duke this summer (addictions research). </p>
<p>How much fun you have depends on how good you are with the sciences (o chem and physics in particular). The sciences are rigorous and D has spent much more time working on these courses than her other ones. D chose to take physics in summer school last summer at our state flagship after her first year at Grinnell in order to leave room for a bigger variety of courses at Grinnell and also so she could continue to have a social life. She sings in a group, exercises daily, takes violin lessons and plays in a chamber group. Grinnell is challenging but she does have a satisfying social life and seems to have balance.</p>
<p>Grinnell also only offers the calculus based physics (harder). The algebra based physics is easier and all that the med schools require or test on with the MCAT (bottom line is MCAT score and GPA). You can look on Grinnell’s website for the health sciences advising. They have several scenarios of how one can complete pre-med requirements with different majors and time frames. This may help you with your decision.</p>