<p>Can anyone provide input on the pre-med or biology program ? Specifically what the acceptance rate to med school is and if there are enough clinical/research opportunities in the Poughkeepsie area for students ? Thanks !</p>
<p>Hi dean84- I know there are 2 hospitals very nearby- in fact st francis, you can actually walk to from marist, and then vassar brothers is just a short drive (like 10 minutes) Also there is a area further into Poughkeepsie with clinics. The new Hancock center is focused on the science student, and apparently Marist is trying to get stronger in that area. My son is a communications major, so I am not sure of Marists rep in that area, however my daughter is in med school right now, and altho her undergrad (wesleyan u) provided invaluable tools for job placement, and her education was top-notch, she said the mcat and your volunteering/work in the medical field is what most med schools looked at, and the undergrad school itself was primarily used for your GPA, and any research/volunteering you did there. A school strong in sciences/research is preferable of course.
My daughter took 2 years off between undergrad and med school and worked in research @ Columbia Med , and had several papers published. She also volunteered @ a hospice, and a nursing home since 8th grade, and as a best buddy, and aide to handicapped adult.
She did research in undergrad as well all 4 years. There is alot considered by a med school, and a well-rounded, good student, with extensive volunteering, and good mcat score and undergrad GPA generally does well in med school acceptance.
Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Hi Petcat - thanks for the information and congrats for your daughter ! Although your son is a communications major at Marist, does he have any friends who are pre-med or does he know the reputation of the dept ? Would you recommend any other Northeast colleges for pre-med (NY, PA, Ohio etc) ? Thanks !</p>