<p>I did my best to search for an existing thread about this already, but I wasn't able to find anything. Sorry if there is one floating around though!</p>
<p>I was recently accepted into Georgetown and I was wondering how strong their science programs are? I would like to do a major in some sort of biology in hopes of preparing for medical school. If anyone has any insight into this, it would be appreciated!</p>
<p>I have some other specific questions, too:
How are the professors in the sciences (and just overall)?
How big are the classes (esp. science ones) on average?
What opportunities are there to do research during undergrad?
Is there good variety in the science classes you can take?
Are there good resources for the sciences available?
How well prepared are students who hope to apply to medical school or pursue further education in the sciences?</p>
<p>I would really love some insight into this. Thank you!!</p>
<p>Science programs here are much stronger than people give them credit for. (I’m a junior pre-med student)</p>
<ul>
<li>The intro level science classes (all pre med reqs) are big lecture classes. Gen Chem starts at 200 students, usually drops to something like 170 by the end of the semester. Biology is around 170. Physics and Orgo are less since many drop out of science programs by then; these are around 150ish. If you go beyond these classes though, say in upper level biology, class sizes drop down a lot and you’re looking at more like 20-30 kids in a 200 level class. Seminars and research labs are even smaller, say 15 or lower. If you are a physics major the class sizes are much smaller because it is a smaller major. The program is very strong, though and physics majors tend to put up the highest MCAT scores of the bunch.</li>
</ul>
<p>There are a ton of opportunities to do research. I know in the Bio dept you pretty much have to do a thesis your senior year, which requires time spent in a lab. There are a ton of opportunities sponsored by these departments over the summer as well. </p>
<p>I don’t know the exact numbers, but I heard something like 85% of our successful premeds make it into med school right after grad. That’s pretty impressive when you think about how competitive it is. I know I am going through the med school application process now and I can tell you I have been very satisfied with my education here and feel prepared for the MCAT.</p>
<p>Thank you sooo much for that input!! I have been trying to get some insight from other people as well, and they have all agreed that the science program is fairly strong. Are the professors in these fields are good too?</p>
<p>The one person who didn’t speak as highly of the program only did so in relation to one of my other choices right now, which is College Park (with a very good scholarship…). In his opinion, sciences at CP are stronger. That would make my decision much easier if I liked CP as much though…which I don’t, unfortunately!</p>
<p>How is the work load for your science classes compared to your typical courses? Are you majoring in a science or just fulfilling the pre-med requirements? And how is variety in the classes for science?</p>
<p>Go where you are comfortable. If you didn’t like CP when you visited, there is absolutely no reason to go there. I know it is easy to get wrapped up in the stress of reputation, “my life after college,” all those things. But really, none of that stuff matters if you are miserable. Trust me, the fact of the matter is, there will always be the next thing to worry about. When it’s not which undergrad institution has a better reputation, it will be the next midterm. Then it will be the next graduate program to get into. Then it will be the next job to get. Then it will be the next presentation you have to perform. It is very easy to get caught up in these things, but you have to remember that ultimately you are the one living your life and you should be happy with what you do. Period.</p>
<p>Haha, anyway. Just had to get that in because I definitely remember your position when I was at that stage. The workload for my science classes is definitely much more than my humanities classes, mainly because your grades in those courses are pretty much entirely based off a few big tests which require a LOT of studying. You’ll just have to be really disciplined–which is something you want to learn anyway. That said, despite my long rants, I can assure you that I am a (relatively) normal person who still enjoys college, goes out on the weekends, gets to the gym everyday, etc. The other thing about these science classes is that you’ll meet a lot of close friends out of it, between your time in labs and outside studying. I’m living in a house next year of 5 friends, most of which are pre-med, and we all work hard but know how to balance a healthy lifestyle.</p>
<p>I’m actually kind of odd in that I’m majoring in English instead of Bio, which most of the pre-meds do. I love the English department. The professors are all really outgoing and the class sizes are small with a lot of individual attention. There’s a wide variety of courses ranging from medieval gender studies to 20th century experimental film. There’s a pretty good variety for the science courses once you get to the upper level, especially in Bio where there are a bunch of “subdivision” majors like Neurobio, Environmental Bio, Bio of Global Health, etc. I haven’t been exposed to many upper level science courses yet, as I’ve only done the pre med reqs, biochem, genetics, etc.</p>