UGA Honors vs Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt

College Search & Selection
1

<p>These are the three colleges that I was admitted to, and I was really exited to hear back from each one. I know that i can't really go wrong here, but I am extremely stressed about this decision. I plan on majoring in Chemistry/Biology (although I might consider some type of engineering major), and my number one goal is to become to Medical Doctor. I would go to Vanderbilt in a heartbeat if money wasn't a factor, but it is. My financial situation is kind of interesting, and I won't go into the details, but lets just say that I have some awesome grandparents. The bottom line is that I could graduate from either Georgia Tech or UGA with a surplus of money ( around 70k) while an education at Vanderbilt will leave me broke after about 2 years and cause me to once again become a financial burden on my parents. My Dad is a lawyer and makes a healthy income, so I wouldn't exactly be breaking the bank, but I would still feel bad about it. I'm just wondering if the extra money for Vanderbilt will pay off when I am applying to medical school (my grandparents have also agreed to pay for med school so that's a non factor) Here is how I see things right now:</p>

<p>UGA
Pros
- Potential exist for a high GPA
- Inexpensive
- Highly rated Biology program
- Healthy Community</p>

<p>Cons
-Least "Prestigious"
-I would really be banking on a Med School acceptance</p>

<p>Georgia Tech
Pros
-Very highly rated Chemistry and Engineering programs
-Highly regarded within Georgia
-Inexpensive</p>

<p>Cons
-My GPA will probably not be as strong
-Social life is somewhat lacking</p>

<p>Vanderbilt
Pros
-Most "Prestigious" and highly regarded (especially in the south)
-Healthy Community
-Highly rated Biology, and Engineering Programs</p>

<p>Cons
-Extremely Expensive </p>

<p>Any insight/advise would be greatly appreciated. I would be especially keen to insight from people who are familiar with the med school admissions process. </p>

2

<p>Sorry for the occasional grammar mistake, I didn’t know that college confidential has such a terrible editing policy… </p>

3

<p>Holy cow… I was literally in the exact situation as you. I also want to go to med school.
For me…</p>

<p>UGA:
-Strong spirit
-Social life is amazing
-Athens is all about UGA (you can’t say the same for Atlanta/Nashville)
-Very supportive alumni basis (and it’s all around Georgia if you plan to stay here)
-Wide range of majors in case you change your mind</p>

<p>-Too much of a party scene? </p>

<p>GT:
-Social life seems to be limited to Greek (?)
-Atlanta can be kind of dangerous (but there are some gangs in Athens)
-Supportive alumni basis ALL around the nation/country
-Very strong research/engineering disciplines
-For pre-med, you’re actively involved in Emory for volunteering and whatnot
-Atlanta can give you a TON of networking</p>

<p>-Student body seems kind of… cocky? It’s kind of the vibe I got when visiting. A good portion seems to be really hard working and whatnot, but there are a goodbit that think they’re going invent the ironman suit.
-Grade deflation</p>

<p>Vandy:
-Greek life dominates
-Supportive student body
-Limited alumni… (they only pump out ~1500 a year) but they are supportive and nice
-Strong research institution
-You will be volunteering at Vandy’s med school in your first year… they have an EXTREMELY high matriculation rate to med school</p>

<p>-Kind of a rich kid school
-No dominate sports teams
-Grade deflation… especially in the sciences</p>

<p>If money was not an issue, I would have chosen Vanderbilt. However I was going to be ~100k in debt before I graduate which would have been awful. It offers kind of a mix between UGA & GT’s social life but with much much better medical volunteering and research. Grade deflation apparently is curved so the class average is a B- (in the sciences), which could hurt… but you can get over that. </p>

<p>GT, as far as given opportunities, is kind of like Vandy in that you can volunteer at Emory and do research and whatnot. However I was not a big fan of living in Atlanta (my mom didn’t either…) and overall the student body came off as kind of pretentious (vandy kind of did too). </p>

<p>I picked UGA because they have a ton of research opportunities and hospital volunteering as long as you go out and do it yourself. They aren’t going to hand them to you, but they can help pave the path. Also, the student body seemed to be a lot more friendlier and laid back. Also… 65% female which is good news for me :). I’m also a quadruple legacy there and have a ton of networking already there for me. I’m already talking to a professor that will allow me to do research as soon as I step foot on campus.</p>

<p>Overall: Pick a school where you will be most successful as far as grades go and their social scene. Med schools do not care if you went to GT or Vandy or UGA. They care about what your grades were and what you did, no matter where it was. A 3.9 at UGA will get in over a 3.6 at Vandy or Tech. But to be honest, all of them will probably get interviews so it’ll be up to you (regardless of where you go) to decide from there. Do not worry about prestige, because it does not matter at all in the med school’s eyes and will not matter 8 years from now when you’re entering your residency. As long as your GPA is good, you could be going to Georgia Southern. The only question you should ask yourself is if the fact that Vandy is going to give you opportunities on a silver platter is worth the insane expenses. You can get those opportunities other places, but realize you may actually have to <em>shutter</em> apply for them!</p>

<p>Good luck… Maybe I’ll see you up at UGA!</p>

4

<p>Wow, thanks hobbithopeful! I have met other people who have made that same decision. </p>