<p>Hi!</p>
<p>I'm thinking of taking the pre-med path and major in neuroscience/cognitive sciences. Could you plz compare schools based on:</p>
<p>-Academics
-Percentage of students admitted to top Medical schools
-City and social life</p>
<p>and anything you find to be useful in helping me to chose!</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>U of C does not offer either a neuroscience or cognitive science major - it does offer a computational neuroscience concentration.</p>
<p>I think a comparison based on either academics or admit percentage is an exercize in futility, and perhaps naivete. Both schools are excellent in this regard. And, to compare admit stats is a waste of time because we don't have access to key data. What we would like to know is how the admit success of comparably able and comparably prepared students compare. No one makes such data available. </p>
<p>I would argue that Yale has the stronger reputation, although it becomes an exercize in hair splitting at some point.</p>
<p>I would also argue that Chicago may be a better environment for a premed, given its tight integration of the U of C hospital complex, the med school faculty, and the rest of the university. Just look at a map, and see that there is no geographical gap between the med school/hospitals and the science part of the campus. Look at the academic org chart, and you would see that the Division of Biological Sciences contains both the undergrad and Ph.D. biological sciences disciplines as well as the Medical School. Tight integration.</p>
<p>So, the real issue becomes one of social environment. On this score, the places are very distinct. Neither is better or worse, IMHO, just different. For example, Yale promotes a unique undergrad experience, built around its houses etc. U of C tends to view undergrads almost as an extension of the graduate programs. A lot of undergrads will rub shoulders with grad students their last few years if they start pursuing things in depth.</p>
<p>Clearly, Yale's campus is a gem. But I suspect no one goes to Yale because it is in New Haven...
NYC is just a train ride away, but a long one, whereas downtown Chicago is a 10 minute train ride or 20-40 minute bus and subway ride. </p>
<p>Only you can decide, but I hope you cross posted on the Yale boards, too.</p>
<p>BTW, don't sweat the presence or absence of a highly specific major like neuroscience ( or structural biology or whatever). All major research universities have the key areas of the biological sciences covered with courses and research faculty, whether or not they offere a specific major. Besides, you're in college to discover new things.</p>
<p>i live like 20 mins from new haven...its a gross city, its no comparison to chicago</p>
<p>i dont really know much about yale besides its reputation to give a valid persuasive argument of one school over the other. (im sure yale is amazing.) nor do i really affiliate myself with/hold political views.
however, this came from my dad's business partner/friend:
[quote]
"Personally, I think Ivy-League education is over-rated. (George W. Bush ?????)"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The fact that so many people apply to Yale in spite of New Haven tells you something.
[quote]
A lot of undergrads will rub shoulders with grad students their last few years if they start pursuing things in depth.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is true of Yale as well. DD worked on projects with grad students as early as sophomore year. If your department is small, you will almost certainly be in classes with grad students. That may or may not seem like a good thing, as it can be intimidating.
You will really stretch yourself, however.
Yale's residential college life gives students an extra identity along with their Yale affiliation that lasts forever. Most alums ask, "Which college?" as soon as they fiind out you went to Yale. The system makes the 4 years very personal.</p>