<p>So I’ve been super confused as was wondering if anyone had any advice? I am a pre-med student, potential biochem or neuroscience major at Vassar College. Small class sizes, liberal atmosphere, and room to take different types of classes are all really important to me and thats why I chose a liberal arts college. Unfortunately, I am feeling a lack of science/premed atmosphere/culture at Vassar. It has a small science program, not too developed. The bio program is great but it feels heavily swayed towards the ecology/environment conservation type of bio rather than pre-med bio. Because the science program is smaller I have a lot of opportunities to stand out and be the big fish in a little pond. Brandeis however has an extremely well developed neuroscience program and med school preparation. </p>
<p>In addition to the sciences, I am feeling a lack of culture at Vassar. Everyone is a perfect fit, and that is great! However, everyone is almost too similar. I really miss the diversity I had growing up. Brandeis has a decent international population, a nice Indian community, and has surrounding colleges and the city of Boston to make up for anything else. </p>
<p>Can you help me compare the two schools? I’d really appreciate it!</p>
<p>premed729,
To me it sounds like you are really happy at Vassar with great friendships and a lot of opportunities to make an impact on your professors, which is fantastic for med school. Brandeis is still a small school and people tend to know each other very well. I can’t go to class or dinner or anywhere without bumping into someone I know. I think that even if you know few people, this will still happen here (not necessarily a bad thing though). </p>
<p>As far as premed classes go, they are pretty large. About 200 kids in the science lecture courses is the norm here, and they are by no means easy to handle if you are stuck with a professor that has no clue how to teach and not do his research 100% of the time. Most professors here are really good, but we also have a problem with a few. The neuroscience program, though, is very strong. My advice: visit campus and see for yourself. </p>
<p>I too came from a very diverse high school and I find that Brandeis is not as diverse as the environment in which I grew up. There are a lot of Brandeis students that are international, etc. but I still find it a bit bare at times. Yes, Boston is only 9 miles away, which is great! You have to be realistic though about how much time you will spend there. The weekends are the only real time to go, but if you are taking all those neuroscience and premed classes (like me) you won’t have much time then either. </p>
<p>Argh! Transferring is such a big deal and I wish you the best of luck in making your decision. Brandeis is a wonderful place for me, and I hope that even if you stay at Vassar, you make the right decision for you.</p>
<p>Gypsyred:
Thank you so much for your response! I actually was able to spend quite a bit of time at Brandeis (I know of couple of people that go there) and was able to sit in on classes. Unfortunately, I’ve been going back and forth every day it seems like! As a premed student do you feel like the pre-med science classes are weeder-out classes? Or too difficult unnecessarily?</p>
<p>The general chem course is definitely a weed-out (mostly for the pre-meds). The higher level ones are less so.</p>
<p>premed729,
It’s really good that you were able to sit in on a few classes, but I’m sorry that this is making the decision of transferring more difficult than easier one way or the other. Gen Chem is definitely a weed-out course here. The beginning of fall semester we had 300 people in that class, now there are less than 200, and that number keeps dropping. Organic chemistry is even a larger hassle from what I’m told (I’m only a first year) and from what some of my friends go through. The classes are really difficult. </p>
<p>That said, every person handles these classes differently. I have friends who study all the time and still can’t make a great grade. I also have friends who never read the book and do just as well. Though I don’t know which of these two types you would be here at Brandeis, I speak for myself when I say I do everything in my power to study and be knowledgable in these classes, and most of the time it does not pay off. </p>
<p>I would say the classes are overly difficult for the sake of lessening the number of medical school applicants from Brandeis so that the ones who do apply are more than smart enough and capable enough of being accepted. This is one of the reasons why Brandeis has such a high medical school acceptance rate (as well as many universities). </p>
<p>Gosh, I am writing a lot of depressing-sounding stuff now, aren’t I? We just had a test, so pardon my negativity about this! What I am trying to say is simply that the program is rigorous. The school is rigorous. Medical schools know that, and they adjust GPAs accordingly. If you think that the grading system will cause you insane amounts of stress, then I can’t say for sure that Brandeis is the place for you. I’m still not used to it. </p>
<p>If only I could make this sound more positive…Most of the time I am happy here…</p>