<p>My son is planning on being premed. We are concerned about all we have heard and read regarding the necessity of super high grades and ec activities for getting into med school. He is trying to decide between Cornell CALS and University of Miami. Cost is not a big factor because with Miami's scholarship and the fact that we are NY residents the price difference is minimal. I am more concerned about whether it's better to be an academic "star" as I suspect he would be at Miami or just one of a lot of smart kids which is what he would be at Cornell. Also I think his quality of life experience would be better at Miami. It's not that Cornell is cut throat but the workload seems very very heavy. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Hope I can help you out, at least just a little. My son was a top scholar (valedictorian, high SAT/ACT, leadership. from a LI high school.) He had many good schools to choose from (didn’t apply to Cornell as he felt he knew “everyone” oy,) but I don’t think he would have done well or been happy in that environment anyway. </p>
<p>While he was accepted at some great schools, I always let my sons know they can go anywhere and be anything. Son1 choose Miami as he loved the school and they gave him full tuition merit award, though we would have paid full cost to any school for him. It is a great university, lots going on outside in the hot but fresh air. The academics are outstanding. There are many, many very bright kids attending the U. My son is out 3 years now (and graduating grad school this may 
) but does have friend that went on from the U to med school. I also know of one in my area whose son is a year younger than mine and went to Miami and is in med school now as well. </p>
<p>From what I hear, (from friends with kids in med school) it is GPA and MCAT. Obviously, any extras are great. One of my friends sons worked with a professor at Stony Brook over the summer. I’m sure any experience helps. With 3 summers before applying, getting some experience or shadowing would be great. Research is good. (2 kids that I know of that did not get into med school right away blamed it on the MCAT score which they retook, reapplied and were subsequently accepted. The 4 current kids I know of that are in med school or just finished; 2 went to U Florida and 2 from U Miami. </p>
<p>Miami is huge in healthcare and owns it’s own hospital. </p>
<p>If you want any U Miami info in general, make contact with me. We were very happy with the U and all they have to offer. They treat the kids very, very well. Visiting upstate NY? Visiting Miami? (Well, to be fair, we had one at Buffalo and one at Miami. The Buffalo son always said not to visit, go see brother, so we did!!) There is so much to do when you visit them. </p>
<p>Good lick to you. I know it’s hard when we are dealing with high achieving kids. Glad there are others out there that see the big picture and not just status. </p>
<p>@crazed Thank you so much for this response. It is incredibly helpful especially since we are also from NY (Westchester). Can I ask you to tell me a little more about the U socially? The pervasiveness of the Greek system? There are some threads here on CC that mention a lot about snobby rich kids running off to South Beach all the time. It’s fine if there is some of that but I am also hoping there are a lot of regular, bright boys who like sports…</p>
<p>Son did not do the bar scene (boys allowed into bars at 21, girls 18 anyway) and rarely went to South Beach, if at all. </p>
<p>Club sports and U sports at big. My friends son that I made on this site, is a current freshman at the U, also from LI, and joined the tennis club and made instant friends. </p>
<p>School provided transportation to Coconut Grove for dinner/nightlife. Can walk to Sunset mall (outdoor mall) which is across the street and just a bit away, for movie theatre and shops. Lots and lots of restaurants just off campus. </p>
<p>Son joined a frat (I think it was something he did not initially intend to do) and had an amazing social life based on that. Social events, parties, frat intramural sports for each season. Made great friends. </p>
<p>There are snobs at every private school. The U has many kids from upper and middle class families. Also, lower economic range as well. They give great merit aid so many smart students end up there. </p>
<p>Sons classes never had more than 60 students and most classes had only in the 20’s for him. </p>
<p>To sum it up, my son is a “bright boy who likes sports”!! :)</p>
<p>Plenty of tri-state kids at the school. After my son, many of our local HS kids started to look and attend as well. </p>
<p>If you want to talk, send me a message and we can exchange phone numbers. I’d be happy to share all we know about Miami. </p>
<p>Crazed–thanks for the wonderful posts. You truly make a lot of sense. While my son chose Miami because he felt it was the right “fit” for him academically and socially, I must admit there was a little strategy as well. He is a bme major who thinks he wants to go to medical school. I have also heard it is the GPA and MCAT score (along with the other resume builders) that determine acceptance to med school. While my son could have definitely handled the workload at the others schools he was accepted to (including Cornell and Duke) I think his college experience would have been COMPLETELY different. He works very, very hard, but like your son, he joined a frat, joined clubs, and has made some great friends. In other words, he works hard but has a life! Another bright boy who likes sports! As long as he keeps doing what he is doing, I think he will have a very good chance at getting into med school. Choosing Miami was the right decision in the short-term, but we were looking long as well. I completely get your “big picture status” comment. </p>
<p>Debra, good luck to your son. When kids at the U are happy, they are really, really happy! They will graduate and have wonderful friends and a great college experience that will live on for life. Grad school will likely be none of those and a means to an end! Glad your son is enjoying himself while getting a great education! Will love to hear where he ends up, either at med school or something else. </p>
<p>njl= It was great speaking with you. What did your son decide to do?</p>
<p>@crazed It was so helpful speaking with you as well. He did end up choosing Miami. As you know he had a very similar situation as @debra19. I am sure he would have been ok at Cornell but I don’t think he would have had the work/life balance he is hoping to have at Miami. He is very excited about getting down there in August!!</p>
<p>Crazed–I will let you know! I agree with you (once again.) When kids are happy at Miami, they are really, really happy! njl1022-Congratulations on the decision! I really believe it is the right choice for so many reasons. He will definitely be able to achieve the work/life balance you mentioned. Trust me…he will have to work hard…but he will have time to enjoy other aspects of “college life” as well as long as he manages his time. </p>
<p>Edited.</p>