Tulane vs. Boston College vs. Rochester -- Please Help!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
1

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>I've been accepted into three great schools and would love any insight as to why Tulane would be a good choice for me.</p>

<p>Obviously these schools are very different, but I'd mainly like to focus on academics...</p>

<p>About me:
I am an aspiring pre-med interested in doing something with cultural studies and global health during my undergraduate years (my first choice major was anthropology which I would either coupled with Health, Behavior, and Society from Rochester or Global and Community health from Tulane (with hopes of getting Masters in Public health through Tulane's 4+1 program for this discipline). BC doesn't offer anthropology or public health really...which is kind of a bummer...but they do offer international studies and other stuff which is kinda similar) </p>

<p>So, here's what I want to know:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I know Tulane has a program which allows you to apply early to Tulane's med school (which is definitely something I'm planning on doing...but I would probably also apply to other med schools..). Assuming that I do well in the classroom, research, and remain very involved in the Tulane community, would I have a good chance at getting accepted early or is it just SUPER competitive?</p></li>
<li><p>Are there many opportunities in my areas of interest to do research (I really want to do a lot of research as an undergrad--not just the "help professor run routine tests in lab"...but more of either being able to run with an idea or jump on to a really cool project (preferably hands-on..) either way, I want this research to "knock the socks off" my med school application)?</p></li>
<li><p>I know that all three colleges would provide me with a rock-solid preparation for the MCATs, opportunities for leadership/clubs/volunteer experience, but how can Tulane get me into med school (whether it be Tulane's med school or somewhere else..) "better" than my other two options?</p></li>
<li><p>Anything else? Other insights would be great!</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Oh, and in your responses, please focus on academics more than finances, but do note that out of all three options, it will be cheapest for me to attend Tulane :)</p>

2

<p>

Tulane has two programs like that. TAP-TP is a program where you get accepted into it during your first semester at Tulane. You study two semesters at the main campus, take a year dong service work in Southern Louisiana, then spend 4 years at the medical school where you both finish your undergrad degree in Cellular Biology and get your MD. This is extremely competitive, and only the top entering freshmen are considered for it.</p>

<p>The other program is the Creative Scholars, where you major in a non-science area and apply second semester sophomore year. You have to complete all the pre-med courses by the end of sophomore year. If you get in, you finish your degree at the main campus and then go to med school. You don’t have to take the MCAT for this program. From what I understand, this program is somewhat less competitive, but I would think it is still no cakewalk. Getting into med school never is.</p>

<p>

Oh yes, there are plenty of substantive opportunities to do meaningful research, sometimes as early as freshman year. Between the bio department, the chem department, the school of Public Health, and anthropology, you should be able to find something that inspires you and you can get involved with. Tulane profs are almost always happy to have enthusiastic undergrads on the team. If, after a couple of years, you get an idea for some research that crosses disciplinary lines, like Public Health and Anthro, you could probably create a research project for your senior thesis (assuming you want to graduate with honors) that has sponsorship from both departments. It takes initiative on your part, of course, but I bet you would find Tulane profs to be very supportive. As far as knocking anyone’s socks off, that is harder to predict, lol. Lots of students do lots of research at lots of schools. The most important part is actually the recommendation the professor(s) would write for you. That is where the med school people will see how strong you are in the research area.</p>

<p>

It can’t. Neither can Harvard. The premed courses are only a handful of basic science and related courses, and pretty much the same everywhere. If you are a focused and talented student, you will know what you need to know for the MCAT. From what current students post on here, Tulane does a good job with premed advising and preparation. I am sure the others do as well. Not a real factor, contrary to the conventional wisdom that runs around out there.</p>

<p>I would only add that if you think you want to dive into both Anthropology and Public Health, Tulane is a fantastic choice, being very strong in both areas. I don’t think international studies is even remotely similar, actually.</p>

<p>Hope that helped.</p>

3

<p>fallenchemist, Thank you! That was super helpful!</p>

<p>As a direct result of your thoroughness, your response has sparked a few more questions if you don’t mind…</p>

<p>I was not offered a spot in the honors program, but I DEFINITELY like to graduate with honors. I have been looking over the honors program specifics and I am aware that it is very possible to apply for a spot in this program after freshman year. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Are students who enter the honors program during their sophomore year in any way disadvantaged (like, because they missed a year of honors “stuff”)?</p></li>
<li><p>If I spoke to Tulane directly and told them how motivated I was about their honors program, do you think they could potentially give me the opportunity to enter right as a freshman or is it not even worth asking?</p></li>
<li><p>In terms of my third question, I wasn’t really referring to “better” in terms of classes, advising or MCAT prep, I was trying to ask how the overall…experience of Tulane would better prepare me for Med School/A career that parallels my aspirations (In other words, what can Tulane do for me that BC and Rochester can’t)?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks in advance :)</p>

4

<p>Honestly I wouldn’t worry about actually being in the Honors Program as an entering freshman that much. You can still take any of the honors sections of courses you want, if you want. I think your ambition to get in and graduate magna or summa is great, and the vast majority of benefits of being in the program kick in later anyway. These include special advising for fellowships and Scholarships such as Rhodes, Goldwaters, Marshalls, and the like, and special advising for your Honors Thesis.</p>

<p>Precisely because people can earn their way into the program, Tulane doesn’t exclude people from the honors courses in freshman and sophomore years. They probably wouldn’t later either, because any student that wants to challenge themselves that way will be welcomed. That came directly from Dr. Luongo, head of the honors program, to me in an e-mail a while back.</p>

<p>So in summary, I would just focus on doing as well as you can, get the grades, and take it from there.</p>

<p>I understand your third question better now, but unfortunately I don’t have much of an answer. You can do research at Tulane med school as an undergrad if you want (it’s about 3-4 miles from the main campus and there are shuttles back and forth, or you can get there using the streetcar but that takes longer), and perhaps that would be a plus. I don’t know if BC or Rochester can match that. But in a much more general way, if Tulane is a school you felt really good about as far as an overall fit and thus you just were generally happier there, then that has to be an overall plus.</p>