Right now, I’ve been accepted to Pitt, Drexel and Minnesota and a few others that were safeties that I’m uninterested in. I want to know how these compare in research opportunities for undergrads and overall what their reputations are. I want to keep money out of consideration as I can weigh that factor on my own. Additionally, I am waiting on response from Boston University. Any input is appreciated.
It largely depends on your home state, but IMHO Pitt and Minnesota would be preferable to Drexel.
imo pitt would be preferable to drexel and minnseota.
pitt is a great all around school and pittsburgh is an amazing boom town.
when my parents were younger pittsburgh was on life support and now it is a cutting edge tech / medical city with awesome restaurants and neighborhoods.
I wouldn’t go to BU as a premed.
I suspect that the premed competition will be harsher at UPitt than at UMinn.
Were you admitted to the honors college at either one?
While many premeds still believe this is an important factor, research these days is just another EC in med school admissions and no longer an expectation. On the other hand many premeds don’t realize that experience in patient care (volunteer or paid) is an unwritten requirement and you are unlikely to get into med school without it.
Read thru the info at https://www.rhodes.edu/sites/default/files/PreMed_Essentials.pdf to understand what really matters in getting into med school. There is also a good handbook at https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/gradstudy/health/guide and no doubt many other websites, as well as books
@MYOS1634 I was admitted to Pitt’s honors college and am waiting to hear back from Drexel (their honors college decisions don’t come back until march–but I am overqualified and should get in). I was not, however, admitted to the honors program at Minnesota.
@mikemac I am interested in research for the purpose of research, not specifically for med school. I may want to pursue a PhD-MD or just a PhD depending on my undergrad experience. Do I have the patience for research? I won’t know until I have some experience under my belt.
Pitt with Honors college (a very flexible system in a world-class medical research location) would be your best choice academically.
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may want to pursue a PhD-MD o
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Are you a VERY strong test-taker? Admittance into MD/PhD programs typically requires very high MCAT scores.
On getting experience, Pittsburgh and the Twin Cities are both big enough areas that you can get some clinical volunteering experience in either. Pitt, Drexel and Minnesota have medical schools with teaching hospitals but also probably lots of other hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers in the immediate areas, and thus other ways you can get clinical volunteering/shadowing experience nearby.
Rhodes’ pre-med essentials document highlights the importance of volunteer experiences and showing a lifetime of dedication to service and altruism, which surprised and delighted me. Still, I’d imagine that volunteer opportunities are about equal in Philadelphia, the Twin Cities and Pittsburgh - all have diverse populations with lots of opportunities to volunteer in these ways.
If you WANT to do research, I would imagine the opportunities at Pitt and Minnesota might be slightly better, but you can still get excellent experience at Drexel as well.
I mean, all three are good schools. I agree that Pitt and Minnesota are better, and if it were up to me I’d probably pick one of those two. Boston U is also a good choice, I think.