Which school has the best program for someone who wants to follow a pre med track? Personally, I want to be in NYC over Athens, but am willing to put my location preferences aside for a better education. And I get that undergrad doesn’t matter as long as you make good grades and do your reqs but I still want to be able to go to a school that would most benefit me in fulfilling said goals.
So UGA is out
What’s the cost difference of the other two ? For med you will need money so cheaper is better.
Have you been to the two NY schools? What feels better ?
What would your major be ? Pre med is advising, not a major.
1 Like
Why do you say UGA is out? If it’s because of my location preference. I still like UGAs campus and atmosphere but just prefer NYC a tad more. But I’d still be happy at UGA (I think lol)
All the schools’ tuitions are within a few thousand of each other so no major differences.
And UGA and Hunter would be biological sciences and Fordham would be psychology.
You can do pre-med studies at just about any college in this country (arts conservatories excluded).
The best choice is the one which you like the best, and which leaves you with the least amount of undergrad debt…because med school will be loans loans and more loans.
4 Likes
It shouldn’t be “out” if this student is an instate student from GA…and moreso if he or she gets the Zell Miller or Hope Scholarships.
1 Like
I think it was about 2 years ago where there was a thread here on CC criticizing Fordham’s premed program. The complaint was that their sciences were weak. Maybe you can find that thread?
1 Like
You need something to narrow down the choices - so if you’d rather be in NYC, short of a huge monetary difference, why would you consider UGA?
I just made the statement - because when someone says - which is best - and lists three choices without any other info - and they state they prefer NYC…
Well you have to narrow some way.
That’s all. I wish students would provide more info, etc.
Now we know costs are similar…
Ah. That’s my bad. But to be honest I was hoping for input on how the bio/ pre-med programs themselves compare to each other… not necessarily how I myself would fit into the schools, considering I like both options and would be okay with both in the long run. And that’s why I’m having a hard time deciding. At this point I feel the one thing to persuade me for UGA is a better bio program. But if the schools are similar in that aspect then I’d go with the NY schools, for location. That’s where I’m at mentally so far.
and you didn’t even say bio - you said pre-med track - which can be any major.
No matter how a school is ranked, you need to feel “right” there - because you will be there for four years, day after day after day. While med school is really expensive so expense matters, you’ve noted all are similar.
So UGA is enormous - super huge. Is that for you? The others are in the city.
For bio, and I don’t think rank matters and bio for the most part leads to grad school or a low paying job, but using niche - which is just one resource, UGA is far above Fordham which is far above Hunter.
You might review their pre-med advising stats and see the level of support provided, etc. You might even set an appointment with an advisor - to see how friendly they’d be to you as a prospect and what type of guidance they give. You might also see who can provide access to healthcare activities you can partake in.
Good luck.
Ah. That’s my bad. But to be honest I was hoping for input on how the bio/ pre-med programs themselves compare to each other… not necessarily how I myself would fit into the schools, considering I like both options and would be okay with both in the long run. And that’s why I’m having a hard time deciding. At this point I feel the one thing to persuade me for UGA is a better bio program. But if the schools are similar in that aspect then I’d go with the NY schools, for location. That’s where I’m at mentally so far.
I’ve done hours of research online but have found nothing solid that places one school majorly above the other. Unless we are considering UGA ranking roughly 20 places higher than Fordham. Though for my purposes I feel this is pretty insignificant when factoring in that each school are most known for programs that are not science related. The only school that seems to have an overwhelming amount of premed students is Hunter but then again that doesn’t necessarily correlate to a better program? Or does it? Idk. also I’ve heard of competition at Hunter because of the high number of premed students?
And just to put this out there, yes I have spoken to teachers/counselors at my school and no one has any real knowledge about the schools up in New York. Because our HS is so UGA biased, no one has been actually helpful so far.
Thank you for your responses though!
Hunter seems least robust but you need to check. UGA and Fordham are both solid schools - and the pre-reqs will be difficult everywhere.
You can’t pawan this off on another - you have to decide what’s the right environment for you.
There’s no better school. There’s a better fit.
They are very different schools - so you can’t say - I can be at either…
Which is right for you??
Pre-MedicalPre-Health Advising Office (uga.edu)
Pre-Med-Quick-Facts-January-2022-Updated.pdf (uga.edu)
I can’t speak for UGA and Fordham, but Hunter is an excellent school for those interested in health professions, and it is often underrated by some (as are most of the CUNY schools).
I received my MA at Hunter in a health related profession and the program was quite intense - many transferred to schools that are ranked higher on paper (for undergrad) but are actually known for being “easier” for my particular degree. I was 100% prepared coming out of Hunter.
I also worked in the undergrad nursing dept at Hunter many years ago, and those students received top clinicals all over the city. I know, because I was involved in placing students.
Hunter had contracts in nursing and in my field with Mount Sinai, Beth Israel Medical Center (named has changed I believe), Memorial Sloan, Bellevue, VA hospitals, just to name a few. I spent many days attending craniofacial conferences at a highly regarded teaching hospital in another borough.
A quick search of biology at Hunter has me impressed. I do think there are committee letters, which may or may not be a positive.
I am NOT suggesting that Fordham and UGA are weak in any way. I am suggesting that if costs are the same, do your research before dismissing any.
1 Like
It sounds like you must have received some financial aid at the NYC colleges. If this is merit aid, please keep the bar of GPA for keeping that in mind. If it’s need based aid, remember that any change in finances could result in a change in your need based aid.
If your family is paying out of pocket, the cost of Fordham and the cost of UGA instate would not be the same.
It sounds like you are from Georgia and the allure of living in NYC is attracting you to the NYC schools.
As I said earlier, you can have a pre-med intention at ANY four year college in this country (arts conservatories excluded).
The cost of living in NYC is very very high. You need to consider this if you want to live off campus or want to enjoy many of the things in NYC that aren’t free (e.g. shows, concerts, going out to eat, etc). Rents are extremely high, and hard to come by. In addition, the weather in NYC is very different than that of NYC, and you will surely need winter clothes. Also, add in the cost of transportation from GA to NY for breaks.
IOW, look at the OTHER things beside whether you can have a pre-med intention at the colleges….because ALL of these colleges send kids to medical school.
And lastly, I would suggest that you take the pre-med piece out of your decision equation. Pick a college with robust programs in many things…just in case you find that the pre-med intention isn’t what you want to do…which happens to a LOT of students who enroll in college with that intention.
You have the rest of your life to live in NYC…and if you do become a doctor, all that NYC offers will be far more accessible to you than as a college student.
I know it was mentioned that the costs were all within a few thousand dollars, but that could add up quickly, and living in NYC is costly.
Are you from Georgia? I originally thought you were OOS….
All 3 of these schools can get you to medical school and will provide you with a good education.
Medical school means loans. I would save what I could now.
1 Like
Here are some quick thoughts…
Academically these schools are all fine, so look for the better support and access to volunteering, clinical exposure, research, professors for LOR, etc.
UGA has the best access to research. You should be able to quickly get in a lab.
Fordham and Hunter should be better for clinical exposure and volunteering because they’re in NYC.
When it comes to advising I think they’re all ok, but not great. You need to be ready to make your own plan.
Finally, UGA has a ton of pre med students because of the scholarships. That can be good or bad. Might be tough to get leadership roles and off campus clinical experience.
I heard somewhere that Hunter can be tough when it comes to getting a committee letter. Often when we hear this it’s sour grapes, but I’d suggest you look into the committee letter and make sure you understand what you need to do.
I don’t know where you are from, but keep in mind that NYC can be a difficult place to live while in college, due to the costs of being in the city. I don’t know your family’s financial situation, what they will pay for, etc.
My kids are currently in the city and we bring them a lot of things so that they don’t have to pay double… or triple.,
Are you the type of person who can be happy walking around the city without spending money eating out, etc?
One of my kids attended grad school in NYC, and she ended up working part time in order to pay for the extras (eating out etc).
My other child will be starting grad school in the city. She saved a considerable amount of money to cover additional expenses.
You have 3 good schools on your list where you can take prerequisites.
This is a fair point. Higher pedigree doesn’t necessarily mean more rigor.
“There’s a better fit.”
This is it.