I’m torn between the two schools, even though they are quite different. I plan to study Sociology and head down the Pre-Med Track.
UR has offered me a full ride scholarship for 4 years, it’s only about 4,000 students.
-opportunity to go out of state but have never visited in person (trip got cancelled because of Covid-19)
-small class sizes, classes only taught by professors, liberal arts
-Richmond Guarantee plus almost every freshman I’ve talked to has had the opportunity to get involved in research and labs their first year
-known for being one of the most “segregated” campuses and have recently had some racial issues. I am an Indian American so this does raise some eyebrows for me.
CU Boulder will cost around $15k (which I could afford) 30,000 undergrads
-in state/close to home, visited multiple times and thought it was nice
-large classes/ ta taught classes, but is also larger research university with more funds and a larger pre-med advising office/resources
-not necessarily the most “diverse” school but I know students who go there already so not as worried
-have heard it is much more competitive to get research opportunities (only offered to grad students/upperclassmen)
-easier to get lost in the crowd
I understand that for med school your undergrad school doesn’t matter only your gpa/mcat but I’d like to go to the school that would best prepare me and be a worthwhile investment. Where do you guys think would be better?
The first point that should be made regarding UR is that it would be excellent for the core premed classes you would need in areas such as physics, chemistry and biology. UR’s typically small classes, engaged faculty and general resources enhance all of its academic programs, actually. Since you didn’t mention it, look into Sophomore Scholars, for example.
Regarding UR’s recent racial incident(s), take into consideration that they were deeply disturbing to many current students there. Since you haven’t visited the school, it would probably be safest to assume that Richmond’s social environment would benefit from further progress. If you accept this, then you would be more likely to be optimistic regarding UR’s potential than disappointed in its shortcomings.
All in all, Richmond should be able to provide you a more personalized education…and congratulations on the full ride. Not spending money on undergrad, would allow you to save money for med school, which is expensive.
URs pre-health advising is good, they offer an MCAT review class, EMT training opportunity, lots of opportunity to get patient facing experience in the city of Richmond, and research experience with profs.
As presented by OP, the University of Richmond offer of a full ride with great pre-med opportunities appears too good to pass up when compared to CU-Boulder at $15,000 per year with less opportunity for undergraduate research.
But segregation & recent racial incidents raise concerns for the Indian American applicant. Experiences of this sort as a young adult can result in emotional scars & disillusionment.
This is a situation where an overnight campus visit could help.
I think that the above posts have clearly portrayed the advantages of attending UR, but concerns about racial issues and their effects on a young individual remind us that we are dealing with human lives & psychological well-being, and not just with finances, small classes, & research.