Pre-med choice VT vs GMU

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Mason University
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<p>So ive applied to seven schools but am reasonably sure ill have to choose between VT and GMU (because of the cost of private (richmond) and my GPA dragged down by grades 9 and 10 (WM/UVA)).</p>

<p>Just a little background. Im one of those smart kids who didn't have any reason to care or try at the beginning of high school (not trying to complain, act superior or anything). I'm currently in my senior year with 6 APs with As in 5 of them and an A+ in my non-AP/honors class (couldnt choose the AP option for the last) and it doesn't feel too hard now that i care enough. I scored a 33 ACT (27E 33M 34R 36S) on my first go. Freshman year i had a 3.3ish, So 3.6ish, Junior 3.87, and Senior 4.69 (first semester only).</p>

<p>And yes I've seen the pre-med to med school matriculant list on VTs website.</p>

<p>I'm confident that I'll be able to score highly on the MCAT and have a high GPA at VT (for Biochemistry) or GMU (for bioengineering or Neuroscience or MAYBE the chem with biochem concentration) and would be interested in both schools with those majors. </p>

<p>THE REASON THAT I'M DECIDING BETWEEN THE TWO is 1) Cost, 2) Academics, 3) Friends, and 4)opportunities/internship</p>

<p>1) Cost
-I'll eventually be going to Med school and calculating based off of the net cost ill save approximately $8000 by going to GMU over VT. </p>

<p>-Every dollar helps right? Im wondering if saving 8k at a apparently lower ranked school will prevent me from going to a nice med school (at least UVA med).</p>

<p>2) Although I'm not so trusting of stigmas and rankings (at least as an absolute) i do recognize that VT is probably a little better academically. </p>

<p>-Its just my interpretation that VT is mainly respected due to its engineering program rather than its science program. </p>

<p>-Also VT accepts 70% of applicants!! Whereas GMU is closer to 54%. Can it be that students with lower GPAs just dont apply to VT? or do the engineering students compensate for them?</p>

<p>3) I have friends that go to both VT and GMU who both equally love the schools. I dont actually know what the people at GMU are like since i only have 3 close friends who go there (one of which was in the top 10 of his class placement wise). </p>

<p>-The people who have already gotten accepted ED to VT i can see myself befriending but this is more of a Q for GMU: is it really that hard to make friends or that boring at GMU?</p>

<p>4) VT and GMU are both close to hospitals which is great! But GMU is near INOVA which is slightly more respected? </p>

<p>-Anyways, from what I've heard, since INOVA is near GMU there are more opportunities to internship/volunteer their with very accomplished physicians i.e. harvard/hopkins med.</p>

<p>-One of the biggest arguments FOR GMU is its experience opportunities, in this i am asking does VT have anything to offer for a pre-med student that far exceeds GMU. </p>

<p>SUMMARY
I'm confident that at the very least i can get into UVAs med school and probably higher. Im putting this in VTs thread and GMUs to get both sides views. VT has slightly better academic reputation I don't know if it does for sciences more so than GMU. I can see myself going to either school and would enjoy the people at both. Also my parents (my mom) are pushing me to go to GMU over VT because of the cost.</p>

<p>Please if you're a VT student don't immediately bash GMU or vice versa. I know this is long, but if you've read this and decide to reply, I genuinely thank you in advance.</p>

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<p>Poparc, have you visited both schools to get a feel for the campus and surrounding area? Since you have friends at both colleges maybe you could do an overnight at each one? That would give you some time to meet students and talk to people on campus. VATech has a strong reputation for mechanical engineering and a few other types of engineering, but I don’t think their other programs are superior to Mason’s. Mason attracts a lot of good faculty from the DC area and has made a niche for itself with newer avenues of engineering such as computer engineering, cyber security and biotech. There are a lot of great internships in the DC area that you can pursue all year while at Mason. Just a few thoughts. I think there is no substitute for visiting and seeing which place excites you more.</p>

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<p>It’s been awhile since I have read about being a pre-med, but one thing I remember is they do look at your non-acedemic record as well (volunteering, research, etc) That said, I’m going to guess the DC area will have a lot to offer vs. Blacksburg.</p>

<p>There is one thing I will say about is lower level classes at Mason. I remember watching a video not too long ago where faculty at Mason discussed how NoVa students were better prepared for higher level classes than those who started out at Mason. I think the reason behind it is that “research professors” are stuck teaching huge classes, and don’t to quite a good job. CC classes may be smaller and have more focus on individual students.</p>

<p>The reason I bring this up is 1) Grades 2) understanding of the material (for MCAT). But it’s really not that bad - the only departments I have complaints about really is math and physics.</p>

<p>But hey, this may be the same at VT since it is a research university with large lectures - you may want to look into it.</p>

<p>Also, I guess it depends what you want to major in? If it’s biology see what school has the best opportunities for research, etc. I do know a few bio majors that enjoy it here.</p>

<p>edit: IIRC, the prestige of the university you go to doesn’t have too much effect on getting accepted into med school.</p>