<p>I was accepted into NYU and Ursinus. At NYU, I am going to have to pay about 40,000 and at Ursinus about 14,000. I know that these two schools are completely different, but I am the kind of person that can adjust to any environment. My main concern is which school would be better for pre-med? NYU says their rate of acceptance into med school is 85% and Ursinus says 90-95%. I also have heard that schools weed out the weak in the premed program, and as a result boosts their rate up. I have asked around and many say go to NYU because it has a NAME and more resources. Others have said go to Ursinus because it is cheaper, less competition, and there is more professor to student interaction, which hopefully produces a better recommendation for the student. (There are about 20,000 students at NYU and about 2,000 at Ursinus) I want to go to NYU because I live so close to the city and I love the city, but my gut says go to Ursinus because it's a much smaller school and cheaper for me. Any advice? I'm really torn.</p>
<p>Ursinus should be better in the long run since grad school will definitely run you down financially. I don't try to stake college decisions on rate of acceptances because your own acceptance will be based on how hard you work -- name is only part of it.</p>
<p>There's a lot to be said for degree of professor/student interaction re: recommendations - when applying to med school. My son is in the same situation, and I believe he will choose Ursinus.</p>
<p>I think you should consider the overall college/university and, in particular, the other students who will be there. Leave Pre-Med aside, as you may change your mind and decide to do something else, in your decision at first. Getting great grades at either school should get you in so compare the overall nature of the college experience. </p>
<p>You might look at this decision as large school vs small school, city vs. rural, and well known vs. not so well known (to the extent this is important to you). They are very different institutions and going to school in NYC is significantly different than in rural PA.</p>
<p>By the way you are correct that med school admissions for students recommended by the colleges is quite high and a bit of an artificial stat as it is very subject to manipulation.</p>
<p>Given the greater size of NYU there are likely far more graduates going to Med school but that may not be relevent. You might try to get data on the grades, rank, and MCAT scores to compare the graduates from each to see if that gives you any hints. </p>
<p>If med school is your only goal one somewhat devious consideration is whether or not you feel you can get great grades more easily in a "small pond" vs. NYU's "large pond". I suspect you would find very highly qualified pre-meds at Ursinus but that the competition might be somewhat easier there than at NYU.</p>
<p>Given the cost considerations I think this is a very tough choice. Without cost I think NYU wins hands down..assuming you can deal with college in NYC...not everyone can or wants to.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Many students change their majors. If you decide you do not want to be on a pre-med track anymore, which college environment (academics, location, student life) would make you happiest?</p>
<p>NYU would make me the happiest probably, but that's not saying if I attended Ursinus I'd be miserable. Even though both are major extremes of each other, I enjoyed both universities. NYU is in the middle of the city and I really like that idea. Ursinus has a close family feel to it and I'd be happy with that too. Ursinus also has a bunch of new and up to date facilities. The downside to Ursinus for me is that the surrounding area is lackluster. Again, I wouldn't complain constantly, but it may be an annoyance. Also, I have tried to look up as many sources as I can and Princeton Review has ranked Ursinus's academics as a whopping 94! While it ranked NYU at an 86. Then again, it seems that Ursinus is not very well known and a degree from NYU probably looks nice (no matter what Princeton Review says). This is why this really tough for me. </p>
<p>If there are any NYU alumni or current students out there that can tell me how their NYU experience was (especially if you did premed) pleeeeease help me. </p>
<p>Same for any Ursinus alumni or current students.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>If you're worried Ursinus does not have enough "name", I've been told by many that the college is very well regarded in the medical community - med schools have definitely heard of Ursinus. I think you may also have more hands-on opportunities working with professors as an undergrad at Ursinus. </p>
<p>However, it would be difficult to pass up the overall NY experience if you really want to be in the middle of the city, rather than in a small town.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>