I am currently struggling on making a decision between Syracuse and U Ark. There are plenty of things that I like about both.
I am interested in Syracuse because it is in New York, has a beautiful campus, outstanding academics, a healthy amount of diversity, and intense school spirit. I would be attending the Arts and Sciences program and did not receive any FA or scholarships. Therefore, it would be much more expensive than Arkansas.
I am interested in Arkansas because I was accepted in the honors college and got a pretty hefty scholarship. I also know many people there, which is a good and bad thing. I would also be attending the college of Arts and Sciences.
I love both schools so this is a very difficult and important decision from me. I would greatly appreciate any negative or positive input. Thanks.
I see more connections to NYC where I would like to open a practice. My parents would pay but I don’t feel comfortable making them pay that amount. However, I love the atmosphere in Syracuse
You can ask your folks to shell out around $200k for Syracuse.
Or you can spend far less, save the remaining money for med school (or some other grad/professional school if you change your mind), and become a Razorback.
Have you considered that it might be slightly easier for you to earn a high GPA at Arkansas than it would be at Syracuse? GPA is very important in med school admissions. It doesn’t really matter which med school you get into; just that you get into one.
Probably not, but it certainly won’t hurt to add some research experience. If you are in the honors college, I would think you’d have a leg up when it comes to being selected to work on research projects.
Going to a specific college does not automatically enhance your candidacy at a med school at a different college.
Most students who do medicine go to their instate medical schools because they are cheapest (at least in most states) and there is an instate bias. Arkansas has 85% in state students in the medical school which did not happen unless they had bias because 85% of applicants were out of state and the admit rate for instate applicants was a whopping 40%.
This is not to say that if you scored 3.8 and 90%ile on MCAT, you can’t aim for other medical schools. However, aiming for a single other medical school out of state is never the best goal. In a lot of cases, what you aim for is determined by what you have achieved during undergrad. If you have achieved enough to aim for NYU which is currently ranked 11, then you will apply to a lot of other schools which admit similar caliber candidates.
Arkansas honors is a nationally distinguished college. Congratulations
You’ll enjoy lots of perks and opportunities you Wouldn’t have at Syracuse AND it’ll be much cheaper.
If you want to see the world, you can take on internships - even unpaid, since you’re saving that much money I don’t think your parents Could begrudge you the costs but ask them to confirm - in New York City and in Boston or DC or wherever you want, every summer you manage to find one. You can study abroad with no worries, check if Arkansas has agreement for health or science majors in specific countries - Australia tends to be a popular one, but Europe would be nice too.
Just list the Arkansas Honors perks and study abroad opportunities you like, below - by telling us, you’d likely convince yourself, and you’d educate the public at the same time.
If you really don’t like uarkansas for personal reasons, do you have any cheaper choices than Syracuse?
