Purdue University or University of San Francisco?

College Search & Selection
1

I love both schools and can’t decide, please help.

They are polar opposites, USF being a small (7k undergrad), private school, within a big city. Purdue being a large (~35k undergrad), public, in the middle of nowhere.

I really want the college experience with parties every now and then and I feel that I like classes in big lecture halls and student pride. However, location is extremely important to me. I love being able to explore places and do things, and I absolutely hate cold weather.
I’m just concerned that at USF I’m going to have a different, undesirable college experience. I know I have to make this decision, but I’d love to hear other people’s experience and opinions on the schools.

My major at USF is Biology (Pre-Health program) and at Purdue is Health Sciences with Pre-Med concentration.
I feel very fortunate that I got into both of these schools and want to go to the one that will prepare me and give me the best opportunities whether I go into medicine or not.

2

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Hello,

I applied to SDSU, CSUF, CSULB, Chico State, and UC Santa Cruz (I know it’s not a cal state). I have a 3.27 cal state GPA.

I have four years of honors level theatre courses.

SAT: 1150/1600

GPA: 3.15/4

Also, it would be great to know if you advise that I take the SAT again (it would be my third time).


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You’re a NJ resident?? No one should go to Calif if OOS premed.

Both USF (private) and Purdue (OOS) will be very expensive. What are your parents saying about paying for these schools??

Where else did you apply?

Frankly, your stats do not bode well as a premed. What is your Plan B?

3

Happy to hear that your parents will happily pay for OOS Purdue, OOS Calif publics, or USanFrancisco. Wonderful. The reason I asked is because many students don’t know if their parents will pay or they think that they’ll get FA to cover all those costs…and then they’re sad to learn later that their schools are unaffordable.

Lol…You found some of my greatest hits from the Parent Cafe. :slight_smile: That forum is to discuss non-college issues. You may not have realized that.

As for my comment about your stats not boding well as a premed, I stand by my words. Impossible? No. There are some rare late-bloomers. There may be some good reasons for why you received the grades you did and will later “step it up.” If so, super. You have another challenge and that is that you’re not a strong test-taker. If you can’t score well on the MCAT, then getting into med school will be next to impossible. I’m not telling you this to be mean. I’m telling you this to encourage you to have a Plan B.

Today a mom posted in another site’s forum that her sophomore premed son has to now change career path and has no clue what to do. Since about 75% of freshman premeds never apply to med school, it’s a good idea to have a Plan B.

I wish you well and hope that you bloom in college and get what you want.

4

@CoastalKid On another note, SF weather sucks. It’s always gloomy even when it’s nice because you’ve got tons of tall buildings blocking the sunlight.

Also, med school is expensive - have you and your parents had that discussion about who is going to pay and how?

5

SF has microclimates. Might be foggy in one area and 2 blocks away it’s sunny. That said, while SF is a lot more fun than West Lafayette Indiana, you might find more of a “college experience” there.