UNC or NCSU for Biomedical Engineering

<p>Would love some advice . . . </p>

<p>DD is accepted at UNC - Applied Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Track. Also accepted at NCSU in Engineering College, Biomedical Engineering. </p>

<p>NCSU invited her to apply to University Honors Program. Won't hear whether she gets in until April 1 according to NCSU. Not sure of Honors status at UNC and have heard nothing regarding any scholly money at either school. </p>

<p>Ultimate plan is to continue on to Med School. What do you think would be the better choice for undergrad? Also, consider that UNC and NCSU offer the BME major as a joint program, so as I understand it, resources, etc. are shared. Her uncle is an oncologist whose number one piece of advice when planning to go to med school is to "attend and graduate the best undergrad school you are accepted at"</p>

<p>DD is really torn about where she should go.</p>

<p>In terms of getting into grad school, definitely UNC. State is a good school too, but UNC is definitely a better school and has a better academic reputation.</p>

<p>I have a somewhat different perspective on this… I have several pre-med friends at UNC and State, and here is what I’ve gathered from their experiences:</p>

<p>UNC
The pros: You went to UNC. UNC is a great, reputable school (better than State)! </p>

<p>The cons: You had to work your ass off all through college and usually you didn’t end up with As in your science classes. You’re pretty burned out, but heck, you’re probably prepared for the rigors of med school, right? Surely the med schools you’re applying to know that UNC is harder than State, right?</p>

<p>State
The pros: You went to State, and gosh darn it, you have a 4.0 science GPA. Med schools are going to love you!</p>

<p>The cons: You went to State - your version of hard is NOWHERE close to UNC’s version of hard, and med school is most definitely going to be a huge slap in the face.</p>

<p>After getting your college acceptance letters you immediately lean towards UNC (it being the “better” school), but I have several friends who swear they would have had a much easier time getting into med school had they gone to State and gotten 4.0 science GPAs. There are pros and cons to each situation. I would stick with UNC in case she eventually decides to veto the med school plan - there are so many other great programs she could look into here in that case.</p>

<p>Just my $0.02! : -)</p>

<p>BME doesn’t follow the ideal med path. I don’t think she’s going to learn much medicine…possibly only the technical (math) type material. NC has better engineering system but a UNC professor actually heads the BME department at State (as far as I know). Therefore, you won’t be loosing anything if you go to UNC (since UNC has the BME program in conjunction to the State one).</p>