Hi guys!
This is my first ever post lol. I’m on a pre-med track and I need help choosing a good undergrad college before the May 1st deadline. Im looking for a good college with the premed qualities (research, clinical opportunities, grade deflation/inflation, other opportunities, and not many weed out classes). I also applied to a mix of colleges from liberal arts to public universities. I’m from Kansas. Also I was wondering about the premed to med school acceptance rates, so if anyone knows about the premed program at any of these places, I would greatly appreciate the insight!
Majors: Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychology or Sociology.
These are the schools I’m considering in order from cheapest to most expensive (im on a waitlist for a few more prestigious unis):
Washington College in Chestertown MD: Very cheap due to multiple scholarships, almost 5K COA per year, but its a rural college, low diversity representation, and im not sure about the support/opportunities they have for premed.
University of Kansas, Honors Program (KU): Heard of good opportunities, in-state around 22k. Location is average.
Bryn Mawr College in PA: Its a historically womens only college, but has good opportunities and a good location. 10k more expensive each year than KU for me. If I do change my path from premed might have better back up options.
Loyola Chicago: Same price as Bryn Mawr, so more expensive in general. Good location, heard premed was good here.
I wouldn’t pay Bryn Mawr prices for Loyola Chicago.
I’m not sure about Washington “premed” opportunities - email the Pre Health advisers: do their students have weekly volunteering opportunities? what about a course to become an EMT or any link to paid clinical work?
Assuming KU is affordable, how would your family pay the difference with Bryn Mawr?
BMC can be a life-changing experience, but only if you aren’t saddled with more than the federal loans in debt!
I think Bryn Mawr is doable, but recently I also got into Cornell’s Human Ecology school but It also is around 30K more expensive than KU each year so it is expensive. Would it be worth it- also how is the competitiveness?
How much more than BMC is Cornell?
BMC was already a financial stretch if I remember properly. If you want a different atmosphere, a qualitatively different learning environment from KU, discover the East Coast, etc, BMC would likely work at a lower cost than Cornell’s college of Human Ecology.
When I discussed finances with my parents they said they could make both work with a little refinancing and decreasing spending.
Bryn Mawr: 30k
Cornell University: 50k
I heard that Cornell would open up a lot more connections and opportunities compared to BMC, would you say that it would have an impact?
I disagree - Cornell has excellent connections of course, but not stronger than those from a women’s college. Women’s colleges alumnae are super tight and the bond with “sisters” from other classes is very strong, first through BMC, second through other women’s colleges.
I will add that Bryn Mawr and Cornell have two very different atmospheres. First off location wise, Bryn Mawr is located close to Philadelphia and has cross registration with Haverford. If you are a city person, you would be able to go into Philadelphia often at Bryn Mawr. The main difference is the fact that Bryn Mawr is a women’s college which has traditions and other aspects not found at other colleges. I think with most people they either really like that or don’t, Really try to think wether you want that co-ed experience.
Yes, Bryn Mawr is very strong and the partnership with Haverford means there are lots of options. Being close to Philadelphia and on the Mainline means city access (internships, volunteering, connections…)
Jump on Washington College at that price! It might not get talked about much here on CC, but it’s a terrific small school where you will be able to do quite a bit. We relatively often get students from our high school who go there and they are good students. At that price, even if you wanted a future as a social worker or some similar not-so-high paying, but really needed, job you wouldn’t be stuck in debt. I honestly can’t see where the other schools on your list are worth essentially 100K more (over 4 years).
For pre-meds, their acceptance list is impressive. Have you seen it? My own son’s highly ranked med school regularly accepts students from there too.
Hi Creekland, thanks for sharing the insights. It’s good to know that WAC graduates are been accepted in highly ranked med schools. Which med school is your son going to? Also, did he graduate from WAC?
The on campus opportunities for research, shadowing, and volunteering will probably be very good at UK. Bryn Mawr would be an great place to go to school and they have a strong pre-med office. Research and medical related activities might require a drive into Philadelphia. It all comes down to money and the college experience between UK and BM.
UK Med school has a huge preference for Kansas residents, so there is a good chance you will go there. Do you want to live 8 more years in KS or see another part of the country?
Do you think UK is worth 68K more (over 4 years) than Washington College for someone who then wants to go to med school (which costs a ton)?
Unless that and paying for med school is an easy cost burden for the family, I sure don’t, esp when Washington has a decent med school acceptance record. If it is easy to pay the costs, then go wherever one likes the best.