<p>I'm applying to all three colleges but am not quite sure which to select, assuming that I will be accepted into all three. (I know that it may be hard to say until I am admitted, so please do not write out an essay about how it will depend on whether I get in or not.) </p>
<p>I'm planning on going to medical school after my undergraduate career. This decision is not yet finalized and so I'm keeping my options open. I want to go to a school that is in the suburban, if not urban, area. The size of the school is an aspect I'm not very concerned about. However, I tend to lean towards bigger schools if I must choose. I am a Washington state resident so the tuition would obviously be much cheaper if I went to UW. </p>
<p>I have done a considerable amount of research about all three schools. I know that UW and UM have little difference in terms of ranking. Their internal medicine and primary care programs are ranked nearly the same. Emory falls a little since it isn't exactly a school that is centered around medicine. Emory is overall a better school in general. </p>
<p>Which college would be best IN GENERAL? I know it's a broad question, but again, I'm trying to stay a bit broad right now in terms of an undergraduate school.</p>
<ol>
<li>Cheaper (Unless Emory or Michigan give you significant financial aid/scholarships)</li>
<li>In an Urban Area</li>
<li>Big School
It fits all your criteria</li>
</ol>
<p>i don’t think you should factor in internal medical and primary care programs at this time. your are at least 4 years away from medical school. if you are fairly certain that medical school is in your career path, then UW seems to be best match. There are years of of school ahead of you. You want your saving (your parent’s ) to take you as far as possible before acquiring debt.</p>
<p>in GENERAL though, University of Michigan and Emory are rated much higher than UW.</p>
<p>@myboby123 - Thank you for your feedback! I understand that it’s a bit early to factor in the medical programs for my choice, but I’m not sure. I’ve always been told as a freshman in high school that it was too early for me to think about college and the SAT. I feel that this advice was extremely detrimental for me. It’s never to early to start thinking about things and factoring them in. I should’ve started earlier. It gives you a better understanding of where your future might be headed and even some more confidence. Again, thank you!</p>
<p>Emory not centered around medicine? This is literally the first time I’ve ever heard that critique of the school, and I’ve been here for over a semester. If anything, a common complaint is that we’re too medically focused at the expense of other, non preprofessional programs. Most of the school’s research expenditures go into the biological science fields, and the school is currently pouring money into its NBB (Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology) program. It’s right next to the CDC and the school is currently expanding its hospital, one of the best in the Southeast. The only issues that may arise for a premed are that Emory doesn’t offer certificates in things like radiology or medical technologies, and that the change in credit hours might cause a bit of professorial confusion for the first year or two after its implementation. </p>
<p>If you want that big school, sports environment, then Emory may not be the best fit for you. It only has about 7,400 undergrads and lacks the DI sports of UMichigan or UWash. Then again, 7,400 students is a lot, and there’s always something to do on any day of the week (except right before/ during finals).</p>
UDub is the obvious choice, rather. In addition to the points you made, UW is at least as strong as the other two for biology and medicine and arguably stronger.</li>
</ol>
<p>lyndak - Since you’re only a junior, I recommend checking out Tulane if Emory interests you. It has a very good reputation for sending students into medicine and public health, and it is far more generous with merit scholarships. Additionally, it offers early action and has no application fee.</p>
<p>In terms of strength in the Life Sciences and Medicine, Michigan and UDub are peers. Emory is not far behind. </p>
<p>BIOLOGY:
UDub #15
Michigan #20
Emory #34</p>
<p>MEDICINE:
Michigan #10
UDub #10
Emory #21</p>
<p>I doubt an undergraduate student will notice a difference in the academic quality in the life sciences/premed disciplines.</p>
<p>I am also not sure how being in an urban area is an advantage. To many of us, a college town setting is more conducive to learning and to fostering a stronger campus community.</p>
<p>If cost of attendance is a concern, I would recommend attending the cheapest option. If cost is not a concern, I would go with your gut/fit.</p>