How rigorous are IU's academics?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Indiana University - Bloomington
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Hi everyone! I’m an Indiana resident, and right now I’m seriously considering IU (my other top choices at the moment are WashU, assuming I get one of their full-tuition scholarships, and Boston University or Northeastern). They are offering me a full ride (EVERYTHING paid for, plus some extra study abroad money), which no other school is offering me, as well as a 4 years of working closely in research with the department chair of the Department of Biological and Brain Sciences through their STARS program (basically an undergrad research program).

My dilemma is this: while I really like this offer, I’m worried that IU’s academics aren’t up to par with those of the other universities I’m interested in. I plan on pursuing an MD/PhD after college, so I really want to get a strong foundation in the sciences. (My current major is biochemistry, with a likely minor in computer science and Spanish.)

Can any current IU students or parents of IU students who were top students in high school speak to the rigor of the university? Do you feel challenged and that you’re growing academically? How are the honors classes? I’m not too concerned about the party scene (it seems to mostly be in Northwest, and I applied for Central housing), but has this influenced your studies at all? Is there a “niche” for studious students?

Thank you so much for your help.

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Getting a strong foundation is up to you. The classes are there. My daughter is in the same general department, aiming for the same general goals, and seems to find it to her liking. All her friends are the academic types, no partying, but she has a great time. She was accepted to “better” schools but at the end of the day, free is free. That was our choice.

I know quite a few friends’ kids who went to IU then med school. MD/PhD is very selective and it takes a lot more than good foundations to get in, in general. The courses are there (IU’s premed sequence seems to be a bit strange but nothing out of the ordinary. Ain’t easy by any stretch but do the work and you’ll get thru)

I’ve lived in Boston too and BU is quite a vast school. Good choice if they cough up enough money I suppose. WashU is WashU :), and again it depends on money. As a parent, also, the convenience of having IU nearby (instate) can’t be beat - unless you live in Northeastern Indiana or South Bend)

The department in the building with the huge brain in the yard is Psychological and Brain sciences (psych and neuro), lots of interesting research there (tho I recall a flyer in the biology building about a research project involving petting animals)

Wait to see the final offers from everyone, and then compare. Also visit, WashU isn’t too far.