I’ve narrowed my college search down to these two choices and now I’m stuck. I was accepted to the SAS Honors Program at Rutgers, and accepted into the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at McGill. I live in New Jersey, so Rutgers is much closer (1 hour away, compared to 6 for McGill). If I’m pretty sure I want to go to medical school after college, which should I choose?
I’m assuming since you are in NJ that Rutgers will be much cheaper for you. Depending on finances, I would recommend Rutgers - it has a great reputation and if you plan on medical school, you want to finish undergrad with a little debt as possible.
@NJWrestlingmom: The McGill A&S degree is pretty cheap. Less than $30K even for non-Canadians.
However, I don’t know if the OP has scholarships and McGill definitely has grade deflation.
I was in the Rutgers Honors Program back in the 80s - it was a wonderful experience, both intellectually and socially. If you’re interested in pre-med, access to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital would also be a plus.
Can’t speak to McGill personally although I know it has a fine reputation.
Is there a cost difference? Did Rutgers offer you a merit scholarship?
Cost wise is about the same. My mom works at Robert Wood Johnson, but only 4 days per week. If she starts working 5 days per week, Rutgers would be virtually free.
Is McGill’s grade deflation so bad that I wouldn’t be able to get into medical school out of it?
You can go to med school from anywhere. It’s just a question of risk, effort, and ability.
Getting a high GPA with a pre-med curriculum will be tough anywhere, but at some places, it’s tougher than even that.
So what would you do if med school isn’t an option?
I haven’t really considered anything other than medical school. I’m planning on majoring in Political Science, so I may go down that route if medical school doesn’t work out, but I’m keeping my options open.
At McGill “grade deflation” means that grades are not inflated to keep students happy. Many McGill students get high GPA’s and are admitted to Canadian and American medical schools. But you have to work hard.
https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-attend-McGill-University-as-an-American-undergrad