<p>I'm a High School Junior and have me eyes set on a career in medicine. Georgetown is definitely one of the universities I'd love to attend. </p>
<p>Does anyone know what pre-med at Georgetown is like? Is it harder, easier, than other universities of GU's standards/prestige? Also what about grade inflation/defaltion, what classes are like, and if it is hard to maintain a high (>3.7 GPA)?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I highly recommend premed at Georgetown. There are roughly 100-120 premeds per class that eventually apply to medical school (not the 300+ at Hopkins, Duke, etc.), and the weeding out process occurs BEFORE you get to Georgetown with the undergraduate admissions process (you indicate that you are applying premed on your application to the school–there is a separate admissions committee for prospective premedical students, unlike at other schools which admit and enroll WAY MORE premedical students than will eventually be able to apply and then weed them out with freshman chemistry, organic chemistry, etc.). The atmosphere at Georgetown is far more collaborative and congenial than at its peer schools for premeds. Additionally, the acceptance rate to medical school is extremely high (grade deflation/inflation is a non-issue at Georgetown, and medical schools look very favorably on Georgetown undergrads), and Georgetown medical school loves to admit Georgetown undergrads (which is great–many Georgetown undergrad. premeds use Georgetown med. as their back-up). Having the medical school and hospital right on campus makes it very easy to have volunteer and research experiences, and many undergrads. with strong interest in medical research will also take advantage of opportunities at the National Institute of Health (NIH). I transferred to Georgetown from Duke as a premed, and I can tell you without question that the Georgetown experience was much more rewarding and enjoyable. I went on to attend Hopkins for medical school, and my preparation from Georgetown has been invaluable.</p>
<p>Also, with the opening this coming academic year of the new science center, Georgetown’s undergraduate facilities in the hard sciences will finally match the high caliber of the students, faculty, and programs (including premedicine)–I think there will be no better place to be than Georgetown for premedical studies.</p>
<p>Medman - Your response was very insightful to me. D has applied to Georgetown and is her first choice. She has already been admitted into UT Austin. But your response validated my thoughts that Georgetown will be a better choice for her - especially considering the cost differential. Does the opening of new Science Center mean they will admit more premed students this year?</p>
<p>No plans are in place to increase the enrollment of any programs at Georgetown except for the continuing education programs (Georgetown is planning now for the development of a site in downtown DC to expand professional continuing education programs). I think you D will be making the right decision if she chooses Georgetown for premed! The advising is top-notch, the preparation is incredible, the opportunities endless, and the atmosphere can’t be beat!</p>
<p>I visited Georgetown this past weekend, and the campus is amazing! You should know that GTown doesn’t actually offer a pre-med major at either the college or the nursing school. However, they do have biochem and biology with neurological concentrations and the like. One awesome thing they mentioned was that you can apply to the med school as a sophomore in undergrad, and thus wouldn’t have to take the MCATs. However, they also said that was binding…</p>
<p>Most schools (especially top institutions) do not have a “premed major”–in fact, a “premed” program is simply a collection of courses required for medical school (2 semesters of general chemistry, 2 semesters of organic chemistry, 2 semesters of physics, 2 semesters of biology (all of those with lab), 2 semesters of calculus/statistics; some medical schools also require English/writing course(s) and some require Biochemistry). The Early Assurance Program at Georgetown is a great opportunity to have an admissions offer from Georgetown Med by the end of your sophomore year–it is NOT binding, however–but you are correct about the MCAT–if admitted, you do NOT have to take the MCAT (part of the appeal and purpose of the program–it allows for you to do other significant things rather than prepare for the MCAT). Of course, if you still wish to apply to other med. schools, you do need to take the MCAT.</p>
<p>And yes, the Georgetown campus and location are absolutely AMAZING!!!</p>
<p>I had heard that for the class of 2016 all EAs that had Pre-Med checked in their application were deferred to RD. Wonder if that is true. Any EAs accepted with Pre-Med checked in your application?</p>
<p>Medman - are those two semesters of Biology / Physics / Chemistry / Calculus similar to AP Chem / Bio / Physics B / Calculus AB? D has already completed AP Bio and AP Calculus AB (both 5)…She is taking AP Chem / Physics B right now. I am recommending that she take these classes again in college. I do not not think that high school APs go into enough depth as college would. In doing such, she will at least be exposed to college level material. I am not too much into getting “credits” for AP classes - as I am in making sure that fundamentals are sound.</p>
<p>Planodad,</p>
<p>A premed student still needs to take the required medical school prerequisites in college.
Your daughter’s AP classes would probably allow her to take honors sections rather than the regular sections of the introductory courses. Alternatively (although I think risky for a premed student), would be to take the intermediate level courses instead of the intro courses in a college environment.</p>
<p>212DAD - Thanks…exactly what I was looking for. I would still prefer that she take the introductory level (perhaps honors sections). As I tell her, “What’s the hurry?”</p>
<p>He was accepted NHS EA premed, Human Science major</p>
<p>@ngongs Looks like the information I got was erroneous then.</p>
<p>Most medical schools will accept AP credits in meeting the premedical course requirements; however, they will subsequently look to see how an applicant performs in higher-level science courses. I strongly recommend that premedical students consider taking the introductory chemistry, biology, and physics courses, regardless of their AP credit, unless they are going to pursue a major in one of those areas–the courses will help prepare you for the MCAT, the laboratory portions of these courses are often invaluable and cover topics and techniques that are not necessarily part of high school (AP) courses, and a strong AP background will help insure strong performance in these courses.</p>
<p>In terms of freshman applicants who applied premed and early action, there are definitely numerous individuals who have been admitted–not all of the applicants were deferred–that is a false (and bizarre) rumor.</p>
<p>Medman - much to my daughter’s chagrin, I have asked her to take the said courses again. I tutored her in Chemistry and Physics and found that the high school was not necessarily the right place to learn these classes in depth. At this stage in their lives, they are too distracted with other aspects - such as college admissions, etc. Their labs are woefully inadequate. They may score a 5 on AP test - but that’s not the point. Long term success is what matters.</p>
<p>I think it would be a stretch to say that there’s no better place to be premed than Georgetown. It’s science facilities trail those available at the Ivies, Hopkins, Duke, Stanford, etc. by a significant margin and it’s research spending isn’t even in the same realm. Also, Georgetown is no where as well represented at the top medical schools as many other top 20 institutions.</p>
<p>I am currently a pre-med student at Georgetown and can say that the university provides a great environment for students interested in a career in medicine. Obviously there are other great pre-med programs at the top 20 schools, but there is a lot more you might want to take into consideration besides rankings and %acceptance rates. I’ve found at least that the competitive atmosphere intrinsic to the pre-med track is somewhat minimal here. A lot of students and professors alike are more interested in the success of the collective rather than just the individual. Also, D.C. provides great internship and research opportunities - particularly if you have an interest in global health or health policy. In addition, there is the hospital right on campus, the early assurance program with Georgetown med, and a curriculum designed to help meet the requirements for medicine with minimal stress. Georgetown is also on the verge of completing the construction of a new science builiding on campus which will be open this fall. If there’s ever been a time to be a science or pre-med student at Georgetown, this is it.</p>
<p>hoyasaxa - I agree with you about the quality of premed program at Georgetown. After visiting quite a few colleges, I arrived at the same conclusion. And yes - the new Science Center may be a game changer. It will attract top level faculty and will most likely be equipped with state-of-art technology over the next year or so. My D visited Georgetown twice!!! I am sure other schools have excellent premed programs - but D just loved the school, surrounding areas, and the overall environment.</p>
<p>^goldenboy:
Actually, you are mistaken. I can say, first hand, that Georgetown premeds actually fair better than most of the top 20 in terms of admissions to top medical schools. You must remember, there are approximately 100-120 premeds applying from Georgetown each year. Duke, Harvard, Cornell, Yale and Hopkins have three to four times those numbers and Princeton, Columbia, Wash. U, etc. have two to three times those numbers. Obviously, there will be more students from those schools represented at medical schools–absolute numbers. However, the Georgetown acceptance RATE to top medical schools is as good as any and better than most, and the overall acceptance RATE to medical schools is as good as any and better than most of the top 20. Goldenboy needs an introduction to statistics to understand the difference between absolute numbers and rates…The only gripe that Georgetown premeds have had was the nature of the lab facilities on campus–and that, thankfully, will dramatically change this coming academic year. I stand by my statement–I cannot imagine a better place to be premed. than Georgetown–and I say that being a medical student at Hopkins with peers from all of the top 20 schools (and others).</p>
<p>Medman / Hoyasaxa - maybe you guys are in good position to chance my D. Here are her stats -</p>
<p>GPA: 4.19 (Not sure of unweighted)
ACT: 33
Very rigorous courseload - </p>
<p>AP (until junior year) - World History (5), US History (4), Calc AB (5), Bio (5), Lang (5), French (2 - ugh - at least she took it)</p>
<p>AP (senior year) - Chemistry, Physics B, Stats, Literature, Govt / Microecon.</p>
<p>Attended Duke TIP program for 5 summers (field trips to Costa Rica, Astronomy camps, Anatomy, Biomed)</p>
<p>International travel during summers (Australia, Singapore, London etc.)</p>
<p>Bunch of other “common” ECs</p>