I’m not convinced that U of Chicago is that much more cerebral than H,Y and P. I think Harvard is sort of notorious for kids who major in their ECs and may pay less attention to academics, but they are more competitive with themselves than cut-throat. Yale has always seemed quite similar - with a reputation for being stronger in the humanities. Princeton has always had a bit more of a preppy vibe, probably undeserved these days. The only kid I know who went their recently should have graduated several years ago, but was so traumatized by his poor grades that he seems to have given up on a degree all together. I’m not convinced any of that was P’s fault though. All the Yalies I know were very happy there - didn’t study science though. I think any of the three will offer you plenty of science. I agree with the suggestion that you try to get fee waivers if you can’t decide what you like best.
I’m a bit biased to Princeton.
But I also agree with @mom2collegekids assuming I understand what she’s getting at. The MolBio courses/other science and lib arts courses at these schools are insane and could become overwhelming with other social activities (eating clubs, secret societies, fraternity parties, etc.) My cousin graduated val of his high school class, went to Wesleyan, and proceeded to Yale Medical School with no problem. If he had gone to Harvard or UPenn (where he had been accepted alongside Wes) he would’ve had a much harder time keeping up.
Finally, what are your credentials for these schools? It’s extremely hard to get in, you know. Are you a legacy? Made any scientific breakthroughs?
P.S. Brown has one of the best pre-med programs in the country, if not the best. I’d look there before HYP.
Best pre-med program–what does that mean? What are the metrics for such a statement? I live with several doctors in my own house (wife and daughter) and never heard such a statement…
@Nparker Codemachine and NickFlynn gave you great advice. Seems like you are just spinning your wheels on something with such a low probability and no upside.
Anywho to answer my own question, and if any of you care to cull down on the actual numbers definitively, this provides stats from both an institution and race/ethnicity --see:https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/86042/table2.html
@boolaHI I have an SAT score of 2200+, 4.0 GPA, and am in the top 5%. @mathmom Does Princeton’s grade deflation still apply? I read an article that said that Princeton ended its experiment with grade deflation. Also, are you suggesting that I ap
You have legitmate scores for application, but given the pure competiveness of these schools, ultimately that is your decision to make on your own behalf. Further, I’m much more familiar with Y than the other schools.
@NParker Those are great stats and certainly fit the qualifications for those schools, but (almost) everyone else applying has very similar or better stats. You need to differentiate yourself from the rest of the flock. My best advice for how to do this? See if you can shadow a doctor at a local medical clinic or hospital to gain experience, specifically in the field of medicine you are interested in. That’s what is really going to get you in to HYP etc.
In F.Scott Fitzgerald's "This Side of Paradise" the protagonist wrestled with the same choices and picked Princeton.
“Because it’s a gentleman’s school, and democracy won’t hit you so early. You’ll find plenty of that in college.”
“I want to go to Princeton,” said Amory. “I don’t know why, but I think of all Harvard men as sissies, like I used to be, and all Yale men as wearing big blue sweaters and smoking pipes.”
Monsignor chuckled.
“I’m one, you know.”
“Oh, you’re different—I think of Princeton as being lazy and good-looking and aristocratic—you know, like a spring day. Harvard seems sort of indoors——”
“And Yale is November, crisp and energetic,” finished Monsignor.
“That’s it.”
^I really need to reread that book!
Yes, I believe they eased up on the grade inflation thing.
I know which two schools I would pick, but I’m not you.
@mathmom Which two schools would you pick, and for what reasons?
My reasons are forty years old, but I’d pick H or Y for the residential college system.
Premed can be any major as long as you include a few core classes.
@mathmom How is the residential college system at Princeton?
I have no idea, they were put in place after my kids were done looking at colleges.
It’s not as storied or Harry Potter-ish as H and Y, but I think all 3 have equivalents to each other in most aspects (Harvard has final clubs, Yale has numerous secret societies, and Princeton has eating clubs). I can only imagine the housing situation is similar. BTW, despite what you hear, there are fraternities at P, I just don’t think they have (m)any houses.
If I recall correctly, at P, just the first two years are mandatory at a college–probably not as delineated as the residential college system at Y.
My understanding is that the eating clubs have opened up considerably, but are far more important to campus life than finals clubs or secret societies. When I was a student at Harvard, I only knew one person who was even in a finals club - though there might have been others who didn’t talk about it.
Well because I think the reputation of H and Y (correct me if I’m wrong) is that maybe their elitist/cliquey? I’m sure P can be the same way but I haven’t heard about it being preppy, etc. And I believe you’re recruited to final clubs or secret societies without choosing one (just based on merit) while you opt to “bicker” for eating clubs.
It goes back to some colonial BS and for whatever reason it never hit NJ.
@codemachine Then between Harvard and Yale, which one would you pick and for what reason?