Johns Hopkins vs. WashU vs. USC (Half Scholarship) vs. Vanderbilt vs. Rice PreMed

<p>I know there a lot of similar posts but I was wondering if I could get help in my situation. I was lucky enough to get accepted to all of these colleges and am now trying to figure out where I want to go for PreMed. I am a studious person, but I want a nice, collaborative environment. I'd also prefer a city with a baseball team because I am a big baseball fan. I don't party much at all, so I don't care for that (It's actually a negative if other people partying will affect me). I'd like to end up going to a top medical school, so advising is really important. Also I'd like to end up with a very good GPA so I can go to a top medical school. Money isn't a deciding factor, but if I really can't decide in the end it may become a tiebreaker. I have visited all of the schools and am planning on visiting Hopkins, WashU, and Vanderbilt again because I feel I didn't get to see them as much as the other schools. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Hopkins has one of the best pre-med programs. I think that you have the right idea trying to visit these schools and compare.</p>

<p>FYI OP, USC is one of the biggest party schools in the nation. If you’re not into that, then you might want to stay away.</p>

<p>Wash u pre med is one of the top in the nation. But its also one of the most difficult. I think about 50% of those that start off pre med drop that track bc of the difficulty</p>

<p>Hopkins and Washu probably have the best pre-med programs of the group you listed. Fortunately, they both have pretty decent baseball teams nearby; I attended a World Series game in St. Louis 2011, and it was a fantastic experience. Don’t know much about the other schools, but WUSTL is generally quite cooperative, not competitive. There’s partying for those who want it, but it usually doesn’t get in the way of those that don’t. WUSTL provides as much advising as you could ever want - 1 four year advisor, 1 advisor per major, and 1 pre-med advisor are assigned to all pre-meds. You might find that WUSTL GPA won’t be as high as you would have at a state school, but med schools do factor in difficulty of undergraduate program, and adjust admissions accordingly.</p>

<p>Congrats on all your acceptances :slight_smile:
Imo, if you’re not that confident about difficult pre-med classes I suggest u stay away from Wash U and Hopkins, Yes the rankings are good but talk to any student there and they will tell you how their undergrad is basically a living hell. Hopkins pre-med is known to be a GPA killer and competition is very cut-throat. Sure they have a good pre-med acceptance rate b/c all the ppl who couldn’t handle their pre-med dropped out, survival of the fittest
I would personally choose Rice or Vanderbilt, not the biggest fan of USC (terrible area and less than ideal academics, very overrated)</p>

<p>if you honestly think you will work to the level necessary to get into medical school, then Hopkins is the best. </p>

<p>If you think you may be the ‘one who gets weeded out’ long before senior year, then look at what else each school offers and pick the one that offers a good second choice majors. all of the schools offer strong programs in other majors. </p>

<p>With the cuts (sequestration) from the National health Institute, you will also encounter less research opportunities at most institutions. Hopkins will be affected, but they are so far ahead of the pack as far as offerings, that you will definitely find work there if you need it.</p>

<p>“Congrats on all your acceptances
Imo, if you’re not that confident about difficult pre-med classes I suggest u stay away from Wash U and Hopkins, Yes the rankings are good but talk to any student there and they will tell you how their undergrad is basically a living hell. Hopkins pre-med is known to be a GPA killer and competition is very cut-throat. Sure they have a good pre-med acceptance rate b/c all the ppl who couldn’t handle their pre-med dropped out, survival of the fittest
I would personally choose Rice or Vanderbilt, not the biggest fan of USC (terrible area and less than ideal academics, very overrated)”</p>

<p>Ok, I’ve talked to several students there as I went there. No, it’s not a living hell nor is it cutthroat. Stop spreading lies; glad you arent going.</p>

<p>Thank you Blah. I was about to say the same thing</p>

<p>If you don’t go to Hopkins, you have no right saying anything about it. Many of my friends are pre-med and they all have time to relax on the weekends (unless a midterm is coming up the next week). Additionally Hopkins is not cut-throat at all. In fact most students are very cynical about how hard the classes are and thus help each other more out of empathy. Also, many professors grade in a way that does not pit students against each other to encourage cooperation
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<p>It’s a tough choice. As people have stated earlier, Hopkins and WashU have the best pre med programs out of the colleges listed. As far as the stereotype goes, Hopkins is pretty cut throat wheres washU is collaborative. I can’t really speak for Hopkins, but stereotypes like that don’t sprout out of nowhere. I safety is a matter of concern for you, I’ve been to both WashU and Hopkins and the area right outside Hopkins seemed really sketchy, especially at night.Even though St louis is not really a safe city, WashU is actually in clayton, a really safe wealthy suburb with gorgeous houses. And I don’t really have to even speak about the St Louis Cardinals do I? Great place for baseball lovers. And TRUE, visit all of them again before making your final decision!</p>