Hey!! Just wanted to ask for some help/advice. my options right now are either Fordham or University of Miami. Both schools gave me similar scholarships so cost would be roughly the same. I want to go pre-med with a major in biology and I cant decide on which school would be better. I’ve heard some not great things about Fordham pre-med. Does anyone have any input on this? thanks
My kid is also considering Fordham, although not as pre-med. From what I have read, Fordham is fine for premed, but only on the Rose Hill campus, at Lincoln Center campus it is no good. (You can transfer to Rose Hill though, if you signed up for Lincoln Center by mistake.) I don’t know anything about U of Miami, so can’t help there.
I am a doctor myself, so I understand about the whole pre-med process. The most important thing is to get good grades and a decent MCAT score. In my opinion, the most vital piece of being able to do those things is to be in a place where you feel happy, comfortable and supported. You will have to study hard wherever you go, and doing that is way more difficult if you are feeling lonely or unsupported, so go where YOU are most comfortable. Then, ask for help BEFORE you need it. For example, my college was known for hard grading, but I was able to get a good GPA anyway. One way I did this was to bring almost every paper I was writing to the school’s Writing Help Center for feedback. My writing improved SO much in the process. Similarly, I did much of my math homework while physically located in The Math Help Center. That way, when I got stuck I could get help (it’s important to struggle a little on your own, obviously, to develop independence, but once you have reached the point of “lost” or “stuck” that is when it is nice to have the math tutors.) Same thing with chemistry: I did all my chemistry problem sets in the Chemistry Help Center. If nothing else, going to these places forces you to study and not procrastinate in your room! Also, be really generous and collaborative with all your classmates. You are all in this together!
When it comes to research, remember that it does NOT need to be science research or hospital research, it can definitely be more like public health, or sociology, or psychology or under-served community research. Medical schools are caring more and more about Social Determinants of Health, things like education, housing, anti-racism, food access. Think outside the box. When it comes time to pick something for the foreign language requirement, seriously consider Spanish or another language spoken by underserved communities (if you don’t speak one already.)
Wishing you the best of luck and congrats on your excellent options!!!
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Thank you so much for your help! What is your kid going for?
You can do the premed courses at either location. BTW, if you can major in anything else, if there’s something else that you really love, do it! Bio majors are a dime a dozen in applications to med school, harder to stand out from the pack. If you love art, anthro, theology, music, poli sci, literally ANYTHING else, major in that. It’s very do-able to fit in your premed classes around your major classes.
Go wherever you will be happier. If you are hell bent upon being a Bio major, go where you’ll be happier in their Bio program.
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He has no clue at this point! Something artsy maybe.
NYC or Coral Gables. Two different experiences. Where do you fit ?
Hopefully you visited.
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Fordham’s large core curriculum / general education requirements may be unfavorable for pre-med if they are the kind of courses that you are less likely to earn A grades in. You may want to take a look at the requirements and see if they are suitable for you: https://www.fordham.edu/undergraduate-admission/apply/how-to-apply/transfer-students/core-curriculum-checklist/ . Obviously, pre-med courses will cover the science requirements, but there are many non-science requirements as well.