<p>I have been scouring the posts on this forum and others and get completely dichotomous opinions on WUSTL's premed program. Some people say it is very collaborative and some say it is so competitive that 3/4 of the premed students drop out. What I think they are saying is that the students are collaborative but that the work is so difficult that many are driven out -- is this correct? Is it possible to double major / take on extra-curriculars / have an active social life while maintaining a high GPA in WUSTL's premed program? I read somewhere that everyone at WUSTL has a great social life---except premeds, as they study literally 24/7. I understand that the premed track requires a lot of motivation and dedication, but is it really this all-consuming? </p>
<p>I have also read that while the material is difficult anywhere, many WUSTL profs make it more difficult than it is at other comparable schools (eg-chemistry). Is this correct? How does WUSTL's premed program compare?</p>
<p>Do you know how many premed students drop out and still really want to be doctors as opposed to dropping out because they found something in which they are more interested?</p>
<p>I think that Wash U is a pretty difficult place to maintain a good GPA as a premed. That said, if you can manage a high GPA, you are likely to get into a good med school (relative to getting the same GPA at another school). I am pretty sure 3/4 of premeds do not drop out, but premeds probably don’t have too much of a social life (if they want sleep anyways).</p>
<p>That said, few premeds in general have much of a social life either.</p>
<p>Over 90% of graduating premeds seeking placement in a med school find it, and the average accepted GPA to med school is approximately a 3.4.</p>
<p>I was premed and discovered it wasn’t for me – the classes are very difficult, but everyone is very collaborative. People will definitely help you – the lab sections would go to Bear’s Den together and do the lab reports together. It’s competitive (in the sense everyone wants to be the best), but collaborative, not cutthroat.</p>
<p>As a current pre-med freshman, I will say that although the pre-med classes are tough the atmosphere among students is extremely collaborative. Studying for tests, at least in my dorm, is all about studying in groups and making sure everybody understands. If you are seeking a friendly atmosphere to study you will definitely find it here.</p>
<p>I shudder when I hear stories of competitive premeds at other schools refusing to help each other understand the material.</p>
<p>As for social lives, I definitely find myself more busy than non-premed friends, but if you want to be premed it’s something that you have to accept. Even with premed classes you should have time for a few solid hours of extracurriculars per week without a problem.</p>
<p>My son is a chem major and pre-med. He has a decent gpa and a lovely GF who he met at college. He’s also quite involved in several ECs. He also knows a few kids who had to drop out of school b/c they basically stopped going to classes, but I think you’d find that anywhere. There’s none of the stuff he has heard about at another top school, where kids have ripped out pages in library books. Instead, he’d say it is extremely collaborative, which I know b/c he is involved in several study groups.</p>