Hello all!
I have recently been informed of great news from many universities, and I just need a bit help in narrowing down my current college options (I say current for a reason).
For quite a while, MIT’s been my dream school (I’m a sciencey person!), and while I had thought I’d be ready to comMIT unhesitatingly, I find it a bit hard to now… It’s just…such a big decision. Here are my college admissions results:
Accepted:
MIT
Caltech
Princeton
Columbia (with CP Davis Scholars)
Brown
Rice
Case Western
Waitlisted:
Harvard
Yale
Stanford
UChicago
WUSTL
Rejected:
None
As for majors, I’m considering Biology, Bioengineering, Computer Science (Computational Biology perhaps!!!), and Chemistry (maybe Chemical Engineering?). I’ve been hopping around interests quite a bit. For example, I only got really interested in Chemistry because of an OChem class I took. However, I know I want science.
Ultimately… My gut instincts tell me that I’ll ultimately end up in healthcare. I’m highly considering pursuing MSTP (MD/PHD etc. perhaps), MD/MPH, MD, or MPH programs post-undergraduate school (there are very well thought-out reasons for my interests in these programs, in particular). This is also where I’m a bit angsty with the Techy schools…since I feel like they’ll fit me (I’ll try to visit as many schools as possible to make sure that’s true, though), yet the grade deflation there does scare me. What are the pros/cons of each option, do you think?
Also…
Should I pursue getting off the Waitlist? and to what extent? I’m very attracted to the Pre-Med programs at HYS especially: they seem to offer great balance of social life/schoolwork, advising, grade “unharshness,” etc. This is also a thread of “how much am I missing out in not being a Pre-Med at HYS?” kind of thread…kinda…since my heart yells “Tech” pretty much - at least for now before CPW and PFW. And yes! I really do like Caltech also ;)… It’s just that I heard it’s a horrible idea to be a Pre-Med at Caltech :O!
Thank you!
You got into some of the best schools in the world, so you probably could figure this out yourself by doing more research. Or talk with a counselor.
TBH, this post is a bit show-offish. Like, “hey y’all, I got into these amazing colleges, rejected from none, and now I am in pain because I have too many good options! What am I going to possibly do with my life?”, you know?
I don’t mean to be salty. Sorrynotsorry.
All of your options are amazing. What do you want in a college?
Don’t second guess your heart.
@FireBallsDJ Sorry if I came off like that. I sincerely am looking for help. Here’s the thing: I’ve done A LOT of research already. I’ve looked on studentdoctor forums etc. even.
@MYOS1634 Thank you for the input!
@newjerseygirl98 I’m hoping to figure that out myself! Perhaps the college visits will help. Essentially, I just want to feel at home (“fit” seems like the term to describe it) but “at the forefront of human knowledge” and “in the middle of it all” at the same time.
For someone planning to do medicine - MIT or Princeton. Their graduates usually make the top medical schools outside of Harvard and Yale.
A bit unusual to be able to get into so many strong schools but to be so diffuse in terms of interests and potential majors. if you are in engineering or computer science MIT is top. But if you are interested in bio and other areas you list, not as clear.
Bump! Sorry, I’m getting more and more nervous, now that May 1st is nearing!
OP, have you visited any of the schools? Beyond the advice given on engineering, you need to not play guessing games about prestige. Any of those will set you up for success in life. Princeton, Pasadena, and Providence are very different towns/cities. NYC or Boston? Great options but different. If you can’t parse the academics, go for location or campus feel. Does money matter? No way the financial packages are the same.
What’s your net price* at each?
What’s your parents’ budget?
*net price = (tuition+room+board+fees) - (grants+scholarships)
@MYOS1634 and @Sportsman88
Currently, my parents are able to afford all (except Brown…but we can appeal, I’m sure). The financial aid packages are different, but it won’t be the largest determinant in my decision making.
Sorry for edited reply, wrong thread !
In your case, I’d go with MIT or Columbia, since both are affordable.
Are you going to MIT’s college preview weekend? That will help you decide about MIT.