Hi there!
I’m currently a prospective undergrad going into university this fall, and I plan on going to med school after undergrad. I’m currently having a difficult time deciding whether to attend SMU or Baylor. Which institution would I most benefit from in terms of academics and med school preparation? Here are the details of both admission offers:
SMU:
~200k in financial aid over 4 years
~Doing a biochemistry major
Baylor:
~120K in financial aid over 4 years
~Doing a neuroscience major
Which is less expensive for you overall? Do you have to pay anything at either one? If not flip a coin, they are both good. Also consider whether you would mind living in Waco or Dallas. Both are excellent schools & it appears you got great financial aid. More power to you!
Congratulations on your options. I presume you have received merit scholarships, as opposed to financial aid. Do be aware that most universities raise tuition each year, so your initial scholarship will “shrink” over the years. Perhaps you can look at the percentage increases both Baylor and SMU have had each year, and consider your overall costs for all four years if cost is a factor.
Waco/Baylor and Dallas/SMU will likely provide very different experiences. My student did not apply at Baylor because of the Waco factor. Some students really enjoy it though. Although both universities have religious affiliations, Baylor is by far more closely associated with religion. SMU is Methodist in name only, as far as I can see. I believe Baylor has more school spirit with regard to sports (certainly a football following), nevertheless "Boulevarding is huge is at SMU.
My student is at SMU on the premed track, but is not a biochem major (doing a nontraditional route). As s/he has not been especially plugged-in with the pre-med group, I do not feel comfortable commenting on the program beyond the pre-requisites. I can tell you, however, one of the senior pre-meds (bio major) has just been accepted to Harvard Medical School, so at least one student has had a successful experience. You might find her story by searching SMU Daily Campus.
As for preparation for medical school, I suspect one gets out what one puts in. You will likely have to do MCAT studies on your own (my student did) or take an MCAT course. At SMU the introductory premed classes appeared to be weed-out classes - likely the case at every school.
Best of luck to you wherever you choose to attend!
Congratulations on your options. I presume you have received merit scholarships, as opposed to financial aid. Do be aware that most universities raise tuition each year, so your initial scholarship will “shrink” over the years. Perhaps you can look at the percentage increases both Baylor and SMU have had each year, and consider your overall costs for all four years if cost is a factor.
Waco/Baylor and Dallas/SMU will likely provide very different experiences. My student did not apply at Baylor because of the Waco factor. Some students really enjoy it though. Although both universities have religious affiliations, Baylor is by far more closely associated with religion. SMU is Methodist in name only, as far as I can see. I believe Baylor has more school spirit with regard to sports (certainly a football following), nevertheless "Boulevarding is huge is at SMU.
My student is at SMU on the premed track, but is not a biochem major (doing a nontraditional route). As s/he has not been especially plugged-in with the pre-med group, I do not feel comfortable commenting on the program beyond the pre-requisites. I can tell you, however, one of the senior pre-meds (bio major) has just been accepted to Harvard Medical School, so at least one student has had a successful experience. You might find her story by searching SMU Daily Campus.
As for preparation for medical school, I suspect one gets out what one puts in. You will likely have to do MCAT studies on your own (my student did) or take an MCAT course. At SMU the introductory premed classes appeared to be weed-out classes - likely the case at every school.
Best of luck to you wherever you choose to attend!
Both are good schools. I like Highlandpark better than Waco but for a pre med student, Baylor is a no brainer. SMU can’t beat them when it comes to a solid pre med program, strong medical community connections, high med school acceptances and great advising department.