<p>I am stuck between UNC and W&M as a pre-med student. If I go to W&M I'll major in Neuroscience but if I go to UNC I'll double major in Psych and Bio because they don't have a Neuroscience major (I looked up their course catalog and they have the same if not more classes related to neuroscience so that's not an issue).</p>
<p>My main concern is that I'll have a harder time getting into med school from UNC because W&M provides closer relationships with professors, more research opportunities, etc. However I was admitted to Honors Carolina (for small classes) and was offered a $5,000 research stipend as well as being invited to the Carolina Research Scholars Program. W&M offered me a $3,000 research stipend and invited me to the James Monroe Scholars Program.</p>
<p>UNC offered me a full ride in financial aid, and it would cost around $20,000 to go to W&M. My circumstances are complicated though, since the aid was based on my dad having primary custody, but my mom makes a lot more so money is not an issue.</p>
<p>I really liked both schools when I visited, but I'm worried that there will be nothing to do at W&M because it's so small and Williamsburg doesn't have much going on...</p>
<p>I don't know what to do! Help?</p>
<p>I doubt WM would offer more research opportunities. UNC has a medical school right on campus, so you will have plenty of opportunities. I also don’t really think that either school is better than the other when looking at academics. Now, if campus spirit is what you seek, then UNC would probably win hands down (I can’t say since I’ve never been to WM).</p>
<p>As a physician, I’ll repeat the mantra that for medical school, the main factors are your GPA and MCAT scores. I would consider checking with each school’s pre health office to see how their students do with the admissions process.</p>
<p>If you have a free ride to UNC, I would take it unless you really feel that you fit in better at WM.</p>
<p>UNC-Chapel Hill is a larger school than William & Mary, which means it has more resources but also that you will sometimes be forced to navigate them with less support and guidance than a smaller school could provide.</p>
<p>However, Chapel Hill seems to be providing you with exactly the sort of structure (research scholars program) that can help you find and take advantage of the research opportunities present on the campus of a research university.</p>
<p>Given the financial difference, there would need to be a very compelling reason to choose W&M over UNC (even if you could afford either). And based on what you’ve written here, I don’t see any.</p>
<p>I completely disagree with your view regarding fewer research opportunities at UNC. Psychodad is right on regarding the opportunities associated with UNC Health Care, UNC Medical School and the University of North Carolina in general. UNC Health Care exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and to provide state-of-the-art patient care.</p>