<p>Hi! I have to make a decision on these two schools, and I'd love some help.</p>
<p>First off, I'd like to say that I'm very, very much a pre-med. The ultimate goal is medical school. However, I also want to use college to learn as much as possible - not just science. I don't want college to be a stepping stone at all; I want to push myself intellectually to the max. Quick stats: 3.98 GPA, 34 ACT, NMF, smart I guess but not brilliant by any means. Planning to work my a** off.</p>
<p>Northwestern:
- I really do love the school, but I'm afraid that the environment might be competitive and the classes too impossible for just an average applicant (ie: Orgo, Bio). I'm going to major in Human Communication Science if I come, which sounds great. Basically, I'd love the challenge; I just don't want it to be insurmountable.</p>
<p>Creighton:
-I'm from Omaha, so I wouldn't really be experiencing a new city. However, I'd feel more comfortable at Creighton (at first at least) because some of my best friends are going there. Also, my GPA would * probably * be higher here, but I'm not sure if intellectual stimulation will be the same. Also, if Med School is ultimate goal, it might be smarter to come here, but I don't know.</p>
<p>I mean, NU is completely and entirely better academically to the point of nearly making this question silly, BUT you seem to have thought it through accurately re: difficulty of the classes and admissions to medical school. As an overall experience NU is probably better for you to grow and develop as a person and an intellect, but on the level of simply getting into medical school and saving money, Creighton is likely the safer bet.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I agree with you. A poster on another board claims to be part of Med School admissions. Essentially he says that of course they realize that some schools are harder than others. All ‘A’s’ are not created equally. Also, the Med Schools realize that those who went to better schools are, on average, better prepared and do a perform better in Med School.</p>
<p>I would think that NU is by far the better choice here.</p>
<p>zephyr- while that is true to some extent, if you look at the actual admissions stats side by side, NU is only worth about a .1 bump to your gap for admissions. NU students DO tend to do better on the MCAT, but whether that’s because they’re natively more intelligent or better prepared for the test is nearly impossible to know.</p>
<p>I do agree that cost not being a factor, NU is the extremely obvious choice.</p>
<p>Thanks! Can anyone comment on these schools vs. McGill in Canada too? But thanks for the advice. As of now, Northwestern is probably my number one.</p>
<p>Adcoms from med school may care little where you’ve served your undergrad years when the gap between schools is comparatively small. Don’t know that that applies here. Even then, adjusting for stronger grades at the weaker school, the advantage will usually favor the applicant from the stronger of the two.</p>
<p>The bigger issue is the reality that up to 75% of entering frosh pre-meds choose to do something else by the time they graduate. Northwestern will offer very real advantages come graduation should that prove to be the case.</p>
<p>bump… can anyone comment on NU vs. McGill? My brother said both are very comparable/equal in academic prosperity, opportunity, and fun. However, McGill costs like $9000 total in 4 years. So although I like NU, would it be smarter to just go to McGill? My family doesn’t need financial aid, but it’s always nice to be able to save money.</p>
<p>NU is a better school than McGill. Not by a lot, but it’s distinctly better. My roommate is Canadian and he finds it fascinating how Americans regard McGill so highly.</p>
<p>Ok so… here’s an updated take:
-It’s mainly between NU and Creighton again. My dad’s reasoning was that, as the ultimate goal is medical school, I should go to Creighton. Not only is it cheaper, but it should prepare me just fine. Since both will prepare me well, I’m not sure if that extra $30k a year or so will be worth it. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>You never mentioned a $30k price difference. Here’s the deal: IF you end up attending medical school, Creighton is the better choice- save the money. BUT you need to realize that a lot of pre-med students (about 2/3) will not end up attending medical school. If THAT is the case, the NU degree is the MUCH, MUCH safer bet.</p>
<p>So how certain are you you’ll make it through? Or that you’ll want to? Do you want to gamble with cost, or with career prospects.</p>
<p>Hmm good point. Well I guess it sounds naive to say cus I’m sure plenty do, but I’m willing to really work as hard as I can to make it to medical school. What I lack in natural intelligence I’m going to make up for in dedication and a strong work ethic. It’s been a lifelong dream.</p>
<p>And the price thing isn’t that big a deal I guess. I mean my family technically would pay for either, but I would feel a little guilty I guess making them pay $60k+ a year lol</p>
<p>Don’t write off Creighton’s pre-med program as being “less intellectually challenging.” Despite the admissions rates, Creighton’s pre-med program is DIFFICULT. They are purposefully weeding you out if you’re not working your butt off. Prestige wise, I’d say pick NU if you are willing to push yourself intellectually, because NU probably has better teachers and staff… but Creighton pre-med is tough and competitive. It just depends on what you want.</p>
<p>I’d say NU is competitive period. You’ll be feeling it no matter what you do, Creighton’s difficult because EVERYONE and their mother enters “pre-med”</p>
<p>Go with Northwestern. If you find yourself struggling in a science class, then drop it. You can also transfer out or study the material on your own and take the classes in a post-bacc. You are so lucky to experience a school like Northwestern…don’t give it up.</p>
<p>Faced with similar choices – Higher priced ‘better’ schools or lower priced ‘still good’ schools, my Daughter is attending NU. However, we are in a position where we can pay the extra without hardship to our family.</p>
<p>However, the cost issue is one that only you and your family can resolve.</p>
<p>awksauce, I wouldn’t necessarily call creighton’s pre-meds “competitive.” I actually found the environment rather friendly and collaborative. I do agree that the currirculum is not easy, but that will be the same where ever you go to school. Organic Chem and physics are difficult subjects to master no matter what school you are at.</p>
<p>Go to Creighton, save some money, and aim for a high GPA for Med school admissions. NW is academically very competitive and not necessarily a pleasant experience - go read some student reviews on other web-sites before you decide and don’t get swayed by the prestige factor. Years ago I walked away from NW admissions twice, once for undergrad and once for MBA school to go elsewhere.</p>