<p>Which school is better for pre-med? Also, keeping in mind the difference in tuition and opportunities like volunteering and research. Or is it that you can't make a wrong decision either way...</p>
<p>I don’t think you can really make a wrong decision. Both have very similar levels of NIH funding (which is a direct measure of the amount of high caliber bio and health science research going on) which speaks to the volume and variety of undergrad research opportunities. In fact they are usually ranked right next to each other (#5 & 6). Sometimes Pitt is ahead, sometimes Michigan. Pitt has a somewhat bigger medical center on its undergrad campus (UPMC) than Michigan, but the are both highly regarded clinically as medical centers (both are on US New’s honor roll of hospitals #12, & 14). This speaks to the quality and number of physician shadowing and volunteering opportunities. Their med schools are also ranked similarly (#10 & #14). </p>
<p>Pitt has about 10K less undergrads, so it may be easier to get the undergrad research and other opportunities that you want. Pitt is more of an urban campus, while Michigan has a more traditional campus. Michigan has a better overall reputation than Pitt, but for pre-med, that in my experience and opinion, that isn’t going to make any difference when applying to med schools. Look into their programs for facilitating undergrad research. But I think it really could come down to where you feel comfortable (which might also mean you could be more successful or productive) and cost differences, because both are great places to explore a medical career as an undergrad. Med school is obviously expensive, so if you are getting more help at one vs the other, that should probably factor in.</p>
<p>Thanks! I think I’m leaning towards Pitt because I’m from Pittsburgh and I know a lot of people that work at UPMC that can really help me with research and volunteer opportunities. I just get upset when I tell people that I got into Pitt and they don’t know what it is (I currently live in Georgia).</p>
<p>Don’t worry about what they think. In the long run, it doesn’t matter. Being from PA, I was not familar with Emory for example and it’s a great school. Interesting fun fact - Pitt’s 1976 football national championship was a result of Pitt’s 27-3 thrashing of the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. Only the parents will recall that!</p>
<p>hahahahahahahahahahahahahha</p>
<p>UMich is going to run you big bucks, out of state. Really big.</p>
<p>OMG yes I knowwww. It’ll probably be about 45k? Which honestly, makes me seriously consider if it’s worth it. Is paying that much worth the 30 seconds of gloat when you tell someone what college you go to?</p>
<p>But Pitt will probably be around 35k too…</p>
<p>Michigan is a more prestigous school, but if you can’t afford it don’t pile yourself in debt.</p>
<p>I can afford it. I just question whether it’s worth it.</p>
<p>If I went to Pitt, should I be proud to say that I went there? Is Pitt a prestigious school?</p>
<p>No doubt Pitt is a great school, it’s just that Michigan is more selective. Regardless, you should be proud to say where you went to college.</p>
<p>In-state for Pitt wouldn’t be 35K, unless you’re international or don’t have Pa. residency for some other reason.</p>
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<p>Yeah, or you could save that 35K/year and use it towards the 60K/year med school will cost. Dunno about Michigan, but Pitt is pretty good about scholarships!</p>
<p>I don’t think I can get a scholarship. I emailed Pitt admissions and they said that scholarships usually come around with a 1450+ SAT which I definitely DON’T have.
Also, I’m out of state now for Pitt. I lived in Pittsburgh my whole life and then moved to Georgia in July. Sigh.</p>
<p>Bummer about that, but check out the Georgia schools. I hear good things. OOS schools are very expensive, and may not be worth the money for most people.</p>
<p>Also, check residency requirements carefully. They’re tricky.</p>
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<p>That is just ignorance. Trust me, anyone in the fields of biomedicine and health science know what Pitt is. You are talking about one of the top five institutions in the country in bioscience and medical research. My guess is people in Georgia will know more about Pitt soon since it is heading to the ACC and will start showing up more regularly on Georgia Tech’s football and basketball schedules.</p>
<p>In the meantime, if they give you a dumbfounded look, just remind them of the 1977 and 1982 Sugar Bowls.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. You make me feel a lot better haha. I told my doctor that I got into Pitt and he was like “UPMC!!”</p>