My D got accepted to these 3 colleges: UPitt honors college, Rutgers honors college and TCNJ honors program. She wants to pursue pre-med track. In terms of costs, Rutgers HC is the most economical, followed by TCNJ and then UPitt honors (she is in NJ). In terms of research opportunities and acceptance to Medical schools, which college gives her better chances?
Both Pitt and Rutgers are better than TCNJ for research opportunities - both have large research hospitals right there. Rutgers might have the edge because of proximity to NY hospitals and the opportunities there are endless. By the way, when did you hear a decision about TCNJ honors? My S is still waiting on the honors decision.
Thank you steelersseven! My D got the acceptance notification for admission to TCNJ honors program around Feb 25th.
Does she have any preference? Students often do their best work at a place they feel happy/comfortable.
High GPA is very important for Medical School Admission. Heard from students at Rutgers HC, it may be difficult to maintain high GPA ( like > 3.7 ).
She likes different aspects of Pitt and Rutgers but does not have much preference between the two. She did not like TCNJ much. She likes the campus of UPitt, as it is a small campus and easy to navigate. With Rutgers, she likes the dorm for honors college and honors college environment itself.
It costs $10K/year more to attend UPitt (compared to Rutgers).
Rutgers-NB open house is on April 8, 2017. Visit and talk to students. Rutgers-NB HC dorm is very nice. It is only for first year (new HC dorm).
Thank you grtd2010! We attended the admitted student day at Rutgers HC last week and planning to go again tomorrow for the open house. Do you know if maintaining high GPA is easy at Pitt HC compared to Rutgers? I am thinking it will be a challenge at either place and depends on the selection of courses.
You have to take core courses in Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Bio Chemistry and others for pre-med. Rutgers-NB (HC) has top NJ High School Students as pre-med.
Pitt’s campus is far more aesthetic and less crazy than Rutgers’ (she wouldn’t have to put up with a ridiculous busing system and a lack of administrative action in that regard). Pitt is also academically stronger than Rutgers overall, so being in the HCs at both should pull her decision closer to going OOS.
Full disclosure: I’m a senior likely headed to the Rutgers HC & turning down the TCNJ honors program. I think Rutgers HC makes the most sense in this situation, especially if it’s the cheapest option (med school is undoubtedly expensive) and she preferred it to TCNJ. I can’t speak to how easy it is to get a med school-worthy GPA, but it seems like there’s a lot of support for the honors kids.