<p>So May 1 is quickly approaching and I'm still struggling to decide which of these schools I'm going to attend. I keep wavering back and forth between AU and FU and am having a tough time making a concrete choice. I've made a pro and con list for each school and I'm sort of leaning one way as of right now, but I still have some doubts. So, I had a few questions about one of my biggest concerns.</p>
<p>From what I've heard and read, Furman has a relatively good premed program, is currently finishing the renovation of its science center (which is looking great) and also provides excellent opportunities for undergraduate research. I feel that Furman would be a good place for me to go as I'm considering premed, but for some reason I'm not sure if I would like to choose it over American.</p>
<p>As for American, though, I have a few doubts. I know the school is known mostly for its more 'political' majors and such and isn't known as well for the sciences. I've heard that the premed program is a good one, though. Plus the internship opportunities would be excellent being in Washington, D.C. I'm not too sure how good the chances for undergrad research are, though. I guess I'm just a little afraid that maybe the sciences at AU are weak and may hurt me as a premed student. </p>
<p>Anyway... I was just looking for any input to help clear up any of my doubts about the schools. Does anyone have any opinions on the issue? Thanks very much for any help.</p>
<p>I suppose for various reasons I'm leaning a tiny bit towards American but I'm worried that if I chose to attend there that I'll be putting myself in a less desirable premed position as I'd be in if I went to Furman. Hopefully somebody can help to confirm/deny my feelings. =)</p>
<p>Furman pre-med majors have a strong success rate. I think that campus life will be stronger there as well - a heavy dose of rah-rah school spirit, the intimacy of a LAC with the larger resources of a small university. Of course, Furman is the bubble campus to end all bubble campuses, and AU in in an exclusive neighborhood in NW D.C., so it's likely to come down to which environment you like the best. I'd pick Furman, but then I'm in the South and perhaps I'm more aware of it than people across the country.</p>
<p>I suppose where I'd rather be living is playing a bit into my decision... But I'd really love either setting. I suppose I'm looking for input from people on this forum because nobody I know has really heard of Furman except for me. I know its a great school, its just that it isn't really well-known around where I am in Massachusetts.</p>
<p>I know nothing about Furman so I can't compare them. I did, however, go to law school at American (which I thought was great) and had an opportunity to observe undergraduates there. As you correctly perceive, AU is not one of the most balanced universities. It has a number of strong programs--international service, political science, government, public affairs, and law. But it is rather weak in the sciences. That, however, does not necessarily resolve your issue.</p>
<p>You said you want to be pre-med--but you didn't say what you want to major in. You can major in anything and be pre-med. Pre-med simply means that you are going to take the prequisite courses needed to apply to medical school. These are all very basic courses and you can take them anywhere. American, while not strong in science, certainly offers the basics needed to apply to medical school. In fact, if you are willing to go to summer school--you could take them at a stronger science school (Johns Hopkins' summer session, for example). So one option is to go to AU, major in something it is strong in, and take the pre-med prerequsites either at AU or elsewhere. Certainly, AU sends graduates to medical school. And DC is a great place to go to school.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if it is your intention to major in one of the sciences--AU may not be the best choice. It's laboratories and scientific research are rather weak. Again, I can't compare it to Furman but I would have a hard time recommending AU to a science major.</p>
<p>Therein lies the problem. I know I said I wanted to go premed and I do realize that I could major in absolutely anything and still be premed. I failed to mention that I was considering majoring in biology. Of course, I do know that lots of people end up changing their majors anyway, but I feel like if I were to try another major it would still lie within the sciences. I wish American had stronger sciences, that would make my decision a whole lot easier.</p>
<p>If you are serious about biology, take a look at the professional CVs of the Biology and Psychology department at AU. A number of these folks are conducting research at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda. There is plenty of biological research you can get involved in the DC area if you just look around.</p>