<p>Which is better for pre-med and the major, Physics and Astronomy? Which is best for research? </p>
<p>What are the pros and cons concerning both these schools? Especially for someone who plans to go to medical school.</p>
<p>How are their extracurricular activities? Meaning clubs, organizations - I'm interested in community service types where you can do work for charities anf fundraising, etc. Info on others would be appreciated too. Thanks.</p>
<p>So, no one has anything to say?</p>
<p>UGA all the way. GSU is an okay school, but UGA is on a higher tier. GO TO UGA IF YOU’RE PREMED. We’re a research university - there are plenty of opportunities for undergrads to do research (I’m speaking from experience). We have a great premed office. There are also plenty of opportunities for clubs and community service. </p>
<p>GO TO UGA.</p>
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<p>So is GSU.</p>
<p>For Pre-med, GT is actually the best school to attend (as a biochemistry or biology major with a pre-med option). GT is on a higher tier than even UGA, has a more competitive school profile (and since biochemistry majors have an easy time maintaining high GPAs, this helps), has better placements, and places at a higher rate. Not to mention that there are more research opportunities at Tech than there are students (medical research is joint with Emory which really helps with references).</p>
<p>Im NOT asking about Georgia Tech or any other schools. I’m only asking about Georgia State and UGA!</p>
<p>Georgia State is a research university as well and offers a lot of opportunities especially due to it’s location. The surrounding area of UGA’s location was quite ugly in my opinion, but they get the benefit of the doubt and I have an open mind since the weather was terrible. </p>
<p>GSU also offers research for undergrads. This leaves me to question whether you really know that much about GSU and are qualified to comment on the school. </p>
<p>Can you be less vague and telll me really, what is it that UGA has to offer that GSU doesn’t? And vice versa.</p>
<p>Can you say you don’t hold some bias because you attend UGA? Did you have to choose between GSU and UGA? If so, what finalized your descision?</p>
<p>If you have time, could any of you reply to my thread in the GSU category?</p>
<p>Does UGA’s pre-med program conduct practice interviews for their students? That would be a big factor in my decision.</p>
<p>If you’re going to reply that way, then I don’t think I should even expand on my first response. </p>
<p>And I doubt you’ll care what I have to say since I never applied to GSU, so I never had to make that decision. Plus, even though you say one thing, it kinda sounds like you’ve already pushed UGA to the side.</p>
<p>By the way…I never said GSU didn’t offer research for undergrads, but considering we house the premiere complex carbohydrate research center and other large facilities, UGA probably has a lot more labs.</p>
<p>anonymousmouse - your tone is really quite offensive - why would you bother to ask for advice and then treat people with such disrespect when they have taken their time to help you - really - I hope you do not choose medicine - your people skills would never make it!</p>
<p>I wish Emory had the biochemistry major, so I didn’t have to major in both separately. Don’t know if gpas would be high in it though. Chem by itself here is killer. Emory should really consider investing in such a program for undergrads given the fact that most of our peers have it. Then again, we already have NBB which is rare, I suppose. </p>
<p>I digress- I would definitely go UGA for undergrad if I had to choose between the two (even though I applied to neither) because of the enormous amount of research opportunities. GSU has them, but UGA very well developed programs for it (as they should given their age) from what I hear from friends.</p>
<p>…This is an important descision and I didn’t want to sugar coat it and get answers that don’t help me, is what normally happens. I tried to be as polite as I can, since I wrote that in the evening after a long and exhausting day and also while in physical pain…</p>
<p>If anyone is looking for some knowledge about the science/premed program at UGA, I would be more than happy to write you an essay. All you have to do is ask…nicely. While I may be biased towards UGA, I would consider myself a credible source - I’m a 3rd year, am doing well in my science classes, have a competitive GPA, and am currently preparing for the MCAT and will be applying this summer. </p>
<p>AnonymousMouse, I wish you luck with choosing a school and hope that your communication skills evolve nicely before you apply for med school. And by the way…you will most likely be interviewed by an American. If your views about America are negative, I would keep that to myself.</p>
<p>Should I mention my Dad was in the American Air Force? To…you know…point out bias.</p>
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<p>I’ll bite. 
I know UGA has a stellar premed program, but how would you say your opprotunities for hospital volunteering are? I mean, is there even a hospital near Athens? <em>clueless</em> (Also, I’ve got another thread w/ questions about UGA; would you mind terribly going and commenting on it? It’s here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-georgia/868532-diversity-uga.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-georgia/868532-diversity-uga.html</a> )</p>
<p>I actually have not volunteered at any of the hospitals here, but there are two: Athens Regional and St. Mary’s. Both are located fairly close to campus (probably 10 minute drives for both if that much…St. Mary’s is basically a straight shot from the high rise dorms). </p>
<p>They both have organized student volunteering since there are so many students who want to volunteer there.<br>
Here’s St. Mary’s info:
[St</a>. Mary’s Health Care System, Volunteer Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.stmarysathens.com/employment/volunteer.html]St”>http://www.stmarysathens.com/employment/volunteer.html)</p>
<p>And Athens Regional…
<a href=“https://web1.armc.org/body.cfm?id=669[/url]”>https://web1.armc.org/body.cfm?id=669</a></p>
<p>You can look through their websites. They have placement/orientation early in the semester (call for more information around June/July for placement in August). I would advise you to get there several hours early. I think the one time I tried getting in at Athens Regional, I got there two hours early, and there was already a SUPER long line (so long that by the time I got to the front in order to choose, there were no spots left for me that would fit my schedule). I think both require a 3-hour/week commitment. I don’t know anyone personally who has volunteered at the hospitals, however, I have heard from various people that Athens Regional is the better place (and therefore, more competitive). So…just make sure you have all the info you need (TB tests!) and get there SUPER early…like…I dunno…five hours. Not kidding. Bring your homework.</p>
<p>Not a hospital, but I have two suggestions:
<p>You’re not asking about this, but I thought I’d mention it: shadowing is also a tricky thing here because of SO many premeds in the area. What I would do is find one person connected to the doctor system here (volunteer for United Hospice and ask the coordinator for names of doctors that would be interested in allowing you to shadow). I’m sure if you volunteer at a hospital, you could network that way too. </p>
<p>Let me know if you have any other questions :)</p>
<p>(see…I can answer questions in detail…)</p>
<p>Edit to add: I forgot to mention…the MCG campus in Athens is opening this Fall. That might change the way things are run at the hospital since they’ll be dealing with actual med students too. I’d just be mindful of it and be patient because everyone will be new at it.</p>
<p>One big difference: Georgia State is in Atlanta which is a big city and has many commuter students. Athens is a college town which is a very different atmosphere with different opportunities. It may not have as many hospitals as Atlanta, but I think it would have more to offer an undergraduate (and I’m not talking about research, etc., but more about lifestyle).</p>
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<p>That is very dependent on the person. In fact, you see hundreds of cars on GA-316 headed to Atlanta on Friday nights.</p>
<p>I’m not a UGA hater by any means and I recently made the decision to go to GSU over UGA for 2 big reasons: I’ll be going into their honors college as a freshman and I probably won’t pay a penny out of pocket. GSU’s a highly underrated school with some great programs (some even better than UGA, such as economics) If you plan on doing grad. school, which obviously you do for Medical, consider GSU’s honors college. It offers more of an opportunity to do in-depth research, work in smaller classes, prepare for grad. school and personally get to know faculty, which can aid in getting jobs later in life. That’s just my 2 cents though, you can’t go wrong either way</p>
<p>Seeing as this thread is from 2010, I think the OP has already matriculated. But It’s actually the other way around. Students looking for a cheap school with no interest in graduate school should look into Georgia State. Many post-bacc students choose Georgia State for it’s flexible schedule and relative ease.</p>
<p>GSU is a poor pick for pre-health students. Their pre-medical office is a mess! UGA’s pre-health office is staffed by an actual MD. You would be able to have 10 fold the research opportunities than at GSU, as well as ability to participate in clubs. GSU is still a smaller school. The research opportunities are more than say Kennesaw State. I would say anyway.</p>
<p>Although, the class sizes are smaller, GSU courses are considerably easier than UGA or Georgia Tech’s courses. Grade inflation results in poor retention of knowledge for the MCAT.</p>
<p>As a former faculty member, I can assure you that at the undergraduate level, you don’t really make connections. I would recommend GSU for anyone interested in IT management, not really economics.</p>
<p>GSU’s honors program is actually a great option if you don’t get into UGA. GSU is 4th on the list for most transfer students to UGA. Students who don’t get in the first time can always transfer. Although they only offer scholarships to a small number of people. Although, I have to agree. It’s a poor choice for pre-medical.</p>