<p>Hey, I have some questions about pre-med at University of Iowa and some about Iowa in general. Please help. Thanks!</p>
<p>-How competitive is pre-med at Iowa? I realize that pre-med is generally competitive everywhere, but how is it compared to some school like Duke or Northwestern. How difficult is to maintain a 3.7+ GPA? </p>
<p>-How are the classes in general? Are they engaging or boring? Are the teachers top-class?</p>
<p>-How is Iowa City? I kind of want to be surrounded by a large city, but I've heard that Iowa City is pretty cool too.</p>
<p>-Are the pre-medical opportunities good? Are there plenty of opportunities for research and medical-based volunteering, etc?</p>
<p>-Is the school a major party school? I am not that big of a party person, but I love hanging out with friends. Still, I want to be able to study a lot without many distractions.</p>
<p>Hi Hogwartshopeful,</p>
<p>My daughter is a neurobiology/psychology (pre-med) major. It is very competitive and not at all easy to maintain a 3.7+ GPA. She studies all of the time and is very involved in clubs and volunteering to build her resume. </p>
<p>It’s impossible to compare programs, but obviously, the name Duke and Northwestern will impress med schools. I’m not sure about grade inflation at the schools, that would be something to consider.</p>
<p>Classes are difficult. The curve for her chemistry and calculus classes last semester were brutal. Her chemistry professor was amazing and famous in his field. </p>
<p>Her Biology professor this semester is also well known and respected. She is already impressed with him and looks forward to the semester.</p>
<p>Her labs were challenging but kept her engaged, she learned a lot. </p>
<p>The University of Iowa medical school is well respected and every doctor she has talked to in our hometown raves about the school and the hospital. My father-in-law is a neuro surgeon and persuaded her to go to Iowa because of its reputation. </p>
<p>Iowa City is a great college town, not too big and not too small. The new 21-ordinance has put a bit of a damper on things for many students but if you’re pre med it shouldn’t make a big difference to you. There won’t be a lot of time to party.</p>
<p>My daughter is volunteering at the hospital and went to Panama on a medical mission trip with her pre med club over Christmas break. She will apply for research work next summer. Yes, there are many opportunities.</p>
<p>She is not a big partier either, but she likes to have fun. Iowa, like all schools is what you make of it. </p>
<p>The school spirit is infectious. Hawkeyes love their school and the football season is the best.</p>