<p>It's my number one choice and I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight on the biology program along with its premed path.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>W&M has an excellent track record for placing students into medical school.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that’s all I really know about the various science departments.</p>
<p>W&M students are very successful at achieving med school acceptance - the # I see lately is “80%” of W&M applicants for med school admission get accepted, comparable to Ivy League and other top-tier private schools such as HYPS, Duke, Williams, and Johns Hopkins (note I said ‘comparable’ - without bothering to check for myself, I think some of these schools have even better acceptance rates, like 80-85% - but as the numbers approach 100%, I start to think ‘pre-med committees who’re protecting their yield’.) Again, without looking, I think the national average is about ~46%. </p>
<p>Biology is one of the more popular majors at W&M, and what’s perhaps most exciting is the availability of research positions for undergrads (a word of advice, though - if you’re interested in research opportunities, actively seek them out from day 1 - they won’t come find you. And the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes.) </p>
<p>Keep in mind, while there is a “pre-med curriculum”, you don’t necessarily have to major in Bio - in fact, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that being a Bio major is actually a disadvantage in med school admission. In any case, W&M offers (requires) a liberal arts curriculum, so make the most of it - study abroad, learn a new language, take courses that have <em>nothing</em> to do with “pre-med” and so on. </p>
<p>Some links:</p>
<p>[William</a> & Mary - Undergraduate Research in the ISC: On the trail of the bacteriophage](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/news/ideation/winter0809/biology-saha-hhmi-phage-6619.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/news/ideation/winter0809/biology-saha-hhmi-phage-6619.php)
[William</a> & Mary - Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, Pre-Dentist, and Pre-Pharmacy Program](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/advising/preprofessional/premed/index.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/advising/preprofessional/premed/index.php)
[Bev</a> Sher’s site](<a href=“Services | William & Mary”>Health Professions Advising)</p>
<p>I definitely echo what Squiddy said. W&M science programs are fantastic and our pre-med advisor (a bio prof) is a great resource for pre-med students. She’s very much like a college counselor for those who want to go to medical school. Right now, W&M students are accepted into medical school at rates about 15-20% higher than the national average. </p>
<p>Some of the unique features of W&M’s science and pre-med programs are 1) the opportunity to do undergraduate research, 2) the early assurance programs with EVMS and MCV and 3) the Scribe program at Williamsburg hospital which W&M students can apply to and participate in.</p>
<p>Check out some of the student blogs. Christina H. and Tildi are neuroscience majors and Christina H. has engaged in undergraduate research throughout her time at W&M. They can give you some good insight into these unique opportunities.</p>