<p>I am going to be a freshman in college starting in Fall 2014.
I plan to major in Biology, and follow the pre-med track.</p>
<p>My dilemma is choosing between between Georgia Southern and the University of Georgia.
I know many people (especially at my school) think that the answer is a no brainer, and that I should choose UGA if I plan on going the pre-med route.
But I don't think the answer is so clear.
I absolutely love Georgia Southern. I love the campus (I don't like UGA's campus), the housing, the area, the weather, etc. I am not a fan of UGA, and I never really have been.
BUT UGA's academics are more rigorous and they have a better reputation than Southern.
Southern is also much cheaper than UGA, and if I do happen to go to med school, the saved money would be helpful.
I am afraid that if I choose UGA just for the academics and reputation, I will not enjoy my campus and college life the way I would at Southern. I have visited UGA multiple times, and it has never truly stood out or impressed me.</p>
<p>(Side note: It is very likely that I may transfer from Southern after 2 years to a more prestigious university for my degree.)</p>
<p>Would going to Southern for at least 2 years instead of UGA affect my chances of getting into medical school? Or will choosing UGA increase my chances significantly enough that it would be worth not loving the school I attend?
Considering all this, what do you think my best choice would be?</p>
<p>Ga Southern
Pros:
You like it better.
It’s less expensive.
You’re planning on med school where the game is high GPA/high MCAT (and low debt). </p>
<p>UGA
Pros:
Your friends like it better.
Prestige (perceived/regional, because frankly from a few states away I couldn’t tell you the difference, they’re both Ga public U’s). </p>
<p>At Georgia Southern are you in the Honors college?
You’ll have to stay on the straight and narrow since so many of your classmates will be attending the bars accross from the dorms (which, you’re right, are great).
If you like it better, go there. Prestige is meaningless for med school - what matters is your getting high grades in all classes (in science pre-reqs, obviously, but also overall, as your GPA will be a major factor).</p>
<p>Agreed with above. If you love GS than go there. I believe GPA, MCAT and experiences are a bigger factor in medical school acceptances than UGA or GS.</p>
<p>Go to Southern. There is really no conceivable reason to choose Georgia over Southern - yes, it does have a better overall reputation, but Southern is also a great university with the huge plus that you really want to go there. And no, going to Southern will not affect your chances of getting into medical school - what affects that are your grades, MCAT scores and volunteering/research experiences.</p>
<p>Also, why are you planning to transfer at all?</p>
<p>Between these two schools, go with whichever is cheapest. Neither schools is great academically so you should try to keep your debt down and your grades up, particularly if you want to go to med school.</p>
<p>UGA is very well thought of in the Southeast and its honors program is outstanding. However, if you’re set on medical school, going to GA Southern and doing really well there would work.</p>
<p>What percentage of Georgia Southern pre-med/pre-dent students get into medical/dental school?</p>
<p>This data has only recently been systematically tracked, so we do not have firm numbers. Like any statistic, these numbers can be manipulated. If we consider students who completed the Georgia Southern pre-med/pre-dent curriculum with a grade point average of 3.5 or better, did well on the MCAT/DAT, and had a strong interview with the Medical/Dental Admissions Review Board, we’d say that roughly 100% of those students were accepted into medical/dental school on their first or second try. If we consider students who did not meet these criteria, the percentage is lower, of course, but we do not have a firm number.</p>