<p>Sorry to joke earlier, but I couldn't resist. I will be serious (mostly) now:</p>
<p>While I can't speak directly to which is better for Pre-Med, I can suggest something to consider (with no mention of cows):</p>
<p>PSU's medical school and medical center is not at University Park, it is in Hershey, PA. Great place, but it's a long cow ride from PSU to Hershey. They also have an accellerated program in cooperation with UPenn in Philadelphia. A pre-med at PSU is far from the medical school resources.</p>
<p>OSU's medical school is at the Columbus campus. In addition, OSU Medical Center is one of the premier clinical and research medical centers on the planet. It too is at the Columbus campus. You can walk between your dorm, premed classrooms and labs, medical school and medical center before your coffee gets cold (if you have a good cup). Columbus is also home to the Batelle Institute, and other companies involved in medical, pharmaceutical and biomedical research.</p>
<p>If I was considering pre-med, I would prefer a school where I could be exposed to the medical school resources, research facilities and the medical center clinical experiences during my pre-med years. I think OSU has the advantage here. OSU has an accellerated MD program as well, based in Columbus.</p>
<p>By the way, Pitt would be similar to OSU in this regard, since their medical school is at the main Pittsburgh campus and University Hospitals is also a premier institution. But the hills in Pittsburgh are killers. </p>
<p>My 2 cents.</p>
<p>I can't tell you which one is better for pre-med, because I have not attended both schools. I doubt the people on here who are telling you that the social atmosphere at OSU and PSU are the same have attended both schools to actually compare, either (apologies if I'm wrong).</p>
<p>I can, however, tell you the good things and bad things about being pre-med at OSU:</p>
<p>Good: Opportunities. Several options for volunteering right by campus, lots of research going on everywhere, internships opening up every month, dozens of pre-med organizations to choose from, lots of options to fulfill your prereqs.</p>
<p>Bad: You're competing with about 30,000 other premeds (possibly an exaggeration) for all of these opportunities. This really only affects research and internships, where only the really qualified students get them. It is hard to get that first experience on your resume when everyone else can say they've had previous experience.</p>
<p>We just got back from a college visit, and my kid has finally decided. Nope, not OSU. Nope, not Pitt. Nope, not PSU. It's SUNY! SUNY Buffalo turned out to be the right size for my kid, the guaranteed pharmacy and honors program were too good to turn down, the financial pkg was great, and my kid felt comfortable there. I'm glad the decision struggle is over. I'm a little disappointed that my kid won't have the experience of an OSU or PSU, or even Pitt, but my kid is happy with this decision Thank you to everyone who posted info on these schools, and best wishes for happiness and success to everyone in the Class of 2011!</p>
<p>Good luck to you and yours as well Neonzeus. Being happy with the choice is the most important thing. On another subject, do you think the Penguins will stay in town?
-PP</p>
<p>Neonzeus: That's great that your child found a comfortable fit at Buffalo. It's got to be a huge relief all around. Best wishes to you and your family.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. What do you know--I might go to OSu next year after all!</p>
<p>Penniless -- Penguins are history, and the Pirates will be next outta town. But as long as we have the Steelers, Pittsburgh will be content! Today's the big day that I put the Penn State (older kid) and SUNY stickers on the cars. I guess everyone who sees them will know that I'm a penniless parent too! Time to start talking to my high school sophomore about her college choices???? What can I say, it seemed like a good idea 16-21 years ago...</p>
<p>"What can I say, it seemed like a good idea 16-21 years ago..."</p>
<p>Everything seemed like a good idea back then. :)</p>