I’m a high school senior and I’m trying to decide between NC State and Furman. I am an adaptable student who is interested in majoring in biology (or some science) and going in the pre-med track. Does anyone have any personal experience with either university or can give a good comparison of the universities?
Are you rather conservative and religious (Christian)? Do you want to live in a big city?
Would you be in-state or OOS for NC State? Is money otherwise an object? Have you visited the campuses, and, if so, do you feel more comfortable at one school or the other?
I’ve visited both campuses and feel comfortable on both. I am instate for NC State. Money is not an object. I was granted a small scholarship for Furman. I am not religious or conservative at all.
Did you get into the Honors Program at either one? Do you like smaller, more interactive classes?
You can flip a coin: if you’re disappointed by the coin’s “result”, you have your answer… pick the other one!
NCSU sounds like the best choice for you but the answers to the above questions may affect my advice.
I am not in the Honors Program, but I was offered a small scholarship to Furman. I am use to smaller, more interactive classes and do prefer a small class.
Have you visited both colleges?
Academically, they are both good. Furman will have smaller classes. NCSU is good, however, I would think that at least for the general classes, chem, biology, the class sizes would be large. I know of students who have been happy at both colleges, however, I do know of a couple of students who felt NSCU was too large if this is a concern.
Both schools are good. I think NCSU might be better for you if it’s cheaper than Furman if you want to go on to med school. However, if you are more comfortable with Furman’s small classes, then lean towards there. It doesn’t matter where you go UG as long as you maintain a good GPA and get a good MCAT.
Furman is a good choice for pre-med. The classes are small and you’ll have a good relationship with your professors. In addition to your regular advisor, there is an advisor for pre-med students who will help make sure you are on the right path for med school apps. When we were researching this a few years ago their track record was very good for med school acceptances. You need not be conservative or religious to be happy there.
A high school classmate of mine graduated from Furman and had a very positive experience there. He was apolitical and not particularly religious, and encountered no problems. If money is no object, I recommend Furman.