Hey guys I’m planning on doing pre med in college, and have gotten into UMimai(florida), UConn, Clemson, UFlorida, and Baylor for pre med(some schools bio since they don’t have pre med). I’m just wondering what school would be the best for me and my major. I’m a sport enthusiast, and want to go to all athletic events. I’m from New England, but want to go to warmer weather. Cost isn’t a factor.
So what’s my best option?
Thanks
First off, CONGRATS on getting into all of those schools. UF is tough as hell to get in to – I have some first hand experience in that.
I’m only going to refer to Miami & Florida, as I don’t really know much about the other schools.
From my own knowledge, I know that both Miami and Florida have very good and competitive pre-med programs. I think Miami is a little more beneficial though due to being located in a city with millions of people, but I do believe that they only take like 40 students into the program each year – not sure about UF in that matter. Either way though, both of those schools have impressive programs. I think that between those two schools, it would really come down to smaller factors for your decision making.
I basically live right next door to the University of Miami, and I can guarantee you that there is a lot of school spirit when it comes to sports and other events. But same goes for UF (which is where I’m attending this fall). TONS of school spirit in Gainesville. Almost everybody goes to the football games and you can find at least one thing that’s blue in orange every 10 feet you walk.
Also, while Florida in general has really nice warm weather, be ready for the BLISTERING hot days in the middle of winter (and all of summer for that matter), the humid days where it feels like you’re walking through an ocean in the air, and the bipolar rain forecast. It’s nothing like New England – I was born in Syracuse so I also know how the weather is there.
I wish I could help with the other schools that you mentioned, but my knowledge is limited.
Good luck in your decision making! Let me know if you have any questions about UM student life & their campus. I go there a lot to study so I know my way around pretty decently.
Thank you for the input @callmebiscuit ! Ill ask you for any other info. Anyone else have info about the other colleges?
Clemson would be a nice weather compromise with good weather most of year with maybe a couple of days of snow in winter - more of a 4 season place than Florida even if “winter” is mild by your estimation. Clemson has lots of sports spirit and strong science (for pre-med).
If money is no object, University of Miami. If you want to lower your cost, University of Florida. Both have Good Pre-Med Programs and Medical School. UM is a much smaller school, with Tuition running close to $40K per year, while Room and Board will add other ~$11K. There are a lot of rich kids from Connecticut and other New England States. One of my kid is in the Pre-Med Program (Micro-Biology), but was given a Full Tuition Scholarship.
@scmom12 thanks for the info! but I feel Clemson is kind of isolated, but I’m considering it! @Psata82 thanks for info! Miami is also another top school, how does son like it? Anyone on the other two colleges?
Of the four I would probably drop Clemson as it is the weakest academically. UF and Miami are very different institutions. UM is located in a wealthy suburb of a very cosmopolitan city. I don’t think it would have much of a traditional college feel. People who have a Hispanic/International background might feel right at home, but it can be somewhat of a culture shock for someone from New England. UF can be another culture shock. It is in a smaller, rural area of North Central Florida that has some strong southern character traits without being truly southern. Both schools have significant numbers of students from the northeast.
Both schools would be stronger for pre-med than UConn largely because of location. In the Northeast, you will will be competing with graduates from a great many higher ranked private school graduates for a few medical slots. Florida is much more wide open for medical school, and both UF and UM have the best pre-med programs in the state. They feed into a system with plenty of options for medical schools including UF, UM, USF, FIU, UCF, FAU, and FSU. If UF is significantly cheaper, I would go that route.
See the following website for a pretty good med school filter.
Clemson is not below Baylor academically, and Clemson is rated by USNWR at 62, while UM and UF tie at 48 and UConn at 58. You can throw a blanket over those schools as there is not a huge difference in schools in the 40s to 60s. That’s not to say each school won’t have a different feel.
@Zinhead thanks for the info, but from the rankings the med schools at UF and UMiami dont have the best rankings compared to the other schools
@Longhorngary thanks for the input
Anything on Uconn?
Have you gotten your aid packages yet?
Yes got money from schools, not others. But money isn’t a problem for me
@Paniniman - Public medical schools favor local or in-state applicants over out of state applicants. I was assuming that whatever state you moved to would be where you would attend med school. Attending a pre-med program in Florida, Texas or South Carolina if you intend to return to New England and attend a state medical school would lessen your chances of admission.
@Zinhead interesting, never knew that. Thanks for that info!
It should be pointed out that all US med schools are excellent, and that you should be happy with being accepted by any of them (after you complete your undergraduate degree). Check out the acceptance rates in Zinhead’s link: anywhere from 1% to 4%. If you can be “in-state” and improve your chances (and reduction your tuition), then that’s a plus. 
My S just went through the med school application process so I know how this works. Conventional wisdom is that your home state public med schools favor in state students. Zinhead’s statement : “Attending a pre-med program in Florida, Texas or South Carolina if you intend to return to New England and attend a state medical school would lessen your chances of admission” is not true. The in state public med schools look at your permanent residence for potential favoritism (whichever state you live in NE), not the state where you attended undergrad.
Don’t worry about medical schools at this point and the various rankings. As Gator88NE says, they are all excellent and if you get accepted, be very thankful. The med school application process is excruciating and stressful. You will need to apply to 15 to 20 schools ( public, private, in state, out of state). So pick the undergrad school where you are a fit, can get a high GPA and be able to do research, shadow doctors, and volunteer. If you have a strong resume when you are ready to apply to med schools, you will be a very good candidate no matter where you attend undergrad.
@racquetdad - You are correct that state schools favor in-state residents. The majority of students who relocate to another state end up taking residency in the state they relocate. If the OP is going to relocate to another state for college, then re-apply to a public med school in his original state, he should retain or regain his original residency before the med school application.
Thanks for the info @racquetdad and @Zinhead . But thats in the future! I need help for now!