Rutgers Honors College vs UIUC for Pre-med

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, my friend got into Rutgers Honors college with scholarship and UIUC. She is pre-med. Her parents want her to go to Rutgers, but she prefers UIUC. Could you guys share why Rutgers is preferable over UIUC for reasons other than money? Thanks!

2

The money is a big deal for a pre-med. Medical school is expensive; even applying to medical school is expensive. Better to avoid debt and save as much money as possible within the range of suitable undergraduate schools (and Rutgers is certainly a suitable undergraduate school).

3

Rutgers has great science programs, close to RWJ hospital and the Honors college offers good perks. My father in law (PhD professor) recently said anyone in NJ would be crazy to go anywhere else if med school is the goal. Save the cash.

4

Is she in-state for NJ? What’s point of going to UIUC, even without the honors college?

5

If you want to go pre-med then think about:

  1. The cheapest reasonable college so you/your parents can use the money for med school
  2. The college needs to prepare you for MCATs but still allow you to get a good GPA
  3. Access to volunteering opportunities (e.g., near a hospital)
  4. Success in graduates getting into med school
  5. Options if you don’t go to med school

So if she is in-state for Rutgers, it should be Rutgers.
I will say as a NJ native that we have a weird relationship with our State U

6

@ucbalumnus thank you!!! ill let her know!!

7

@NJWrestlingmom thats a great point! ill let her know, thanks!!

8

@hzhao2004 nope, we are from California but she doesnt like the UCs
i think she just thought uiuc would be more fun haha

9

@bopper those are really good points! ill let her know, thanks!!
ya haha we are from California, but us too also have a weird relationship with UCs

10

Pre-meds will need a full resume showing leadership and excellence, which comes from having opportunities or being nominated. Guess what … with a personal adviser, Honors students get first pick at everything (and get some opportunities only they have access to).

11

So is Rutgers less expensive than UCs and CSUs?

12

@ucbalumnus hmm not sure but money isnt an issue

13

@MYOS1634 thats a great point, thanks!