<p>I'm applying to either UPenn or Columbia ED for premed. How do they compare in terms of GPA and grade inflation, research, MCAT preparation, academics, etc?</p>
<p>If you are applying ED shouldn’t you already know a lot about the school?</p>
<p>Both equally fabulous. Go based on fit, money, or family.</p>
<p>Penn has a strong pre-professional focus, which may help you out quite a bit.</p>
<p>Columbia’s hospital, NY Preb, is 6th in the country. Penn has an entire network of hospitals, all of which are also very good (one of them is actually the oldest in the country). </p>
<p>While I don’t know much about Columbia’s Core, I think that it may limit your choice selection quite a bit. Not sure on that one.</p>
<p>Personally, you can’t really go wrong. As other posters said, fit, FA, etc. are bigger factors when deciding this.</p>
<p>I prefer Penn’s campus over Columbia’s as I feel there is more of a student feel. However, I am concerned that Penn is a little too social with the parties, greek life, etc and I’d rather go to whichever school has the better academics. </p>
<p>Research is great in both schools I know and actually not too worried about that.</p>
<p>Columbia’s Core is the only downfall I see. I’m not too much into the humanities, music, art, etc and I’m afraid it might lower my GPA which will affect my chances at med school. I guess one of my main concerns is GPA and which school will it be easier to receive higher grades? </p>
<p>Luckily, I am not too worried about financial aid so that’s not a problem.</p>
<p>Did you visit the schools? </p>
<p>Choose based on fit. If you can’t pick, I recommend NOT applying ED. Just apply to a few schools EA (I think Notre Dame and Villanova are early action).</p>
<p>Taking nothing but science classes isn’t that great of an idea. Medical schools do like well rounded candidates and if you have nothing but science this could be a turn off. Fortunately, regardles sof if the school advertises it or not, most BS degrees require a number of humanities/nonscience courses to graduate anyways. Columbia’s Core just seems more structured to me, which could be good or bad I suppose.</p>
<p>Neither of these schools is going to raise your GPA easily, look elsewhere if that is your primary concern.</p>