<p>Hi! So Ivy day was on Thursday and with all the acceptance rates going down for most of the schools, I can't say I was surprised when I was rejected by all of them. Nevertheless, I'm now choosing between my safety schools now. I still want to become a doctor and my dream is still there. </p>
<p>Given I want to become a doctor, which college do you think will boost my chances as a student to get a good MCAT score and get accepted by a medical school? </p>
<p>USP: I'll have to pay 18.5k a year, I have to subtract work and scholarships. It's known to have hard classes, almost no social life for its students, and the students are apparently seen as price tags. It's also a school more for pre-pharm students, but there are also a good amount of pre-med students. Researching is also a possibility still with so many hospitals nearby The average sat score (while I know this doesn't indicate how good a student is, I believe that in many cases very good schools like the ivies have extremely high scores) is much lower than my own (around 550 for each section). </p>
<p>Temple (Honors): I'll have to pay 13.5 k. I heard that the classes are more accelerated. You choose your classes first and you have your own dorms. You also have your own advisor who you can see without an appointment. Nevertheless, some have said that the classes really aren't that challenging, which well, I want to be challenged. There is a vibrant social life, it being a public school. </p>
<p>Okay, then, I’d go with Temple Honors. The Honors program will give you advantages that will come in handy:
You’ll build a closer relationship with your professors and mentors, and that will be great for letters of recommendation. Priority registration, which is worth its weight in gold (you get to choose the times you’ll have class, with which professors, what day of the week - in order to avoid too early classes, to plan for an internship or an activity, to avoid a dull professor, to take that awesome class <em>everyone</em> wants to take…) An amazing dorm, and 4 years guaranteed. Where you may even have your freshman seminar - roll out of bed, put flip flops on, and 5 mn later you’re in class. (Yes, some students go to class in pj’s. A cup of coffee in hand and with a clean tee shirt, but still.) Even a summer research stipend that will allow you to stay in Philadelphia for the summer and build your resume. What’s not to like? That will beat, hands down, University of the Sciences - both socially and academically.</p>
<p>@MYOS1634 Thanks for your reply! I’m definitely liking the perks of going to temple. I was researching USciences with my teacher today (very knowledgeable in the sciences who attended UPenn and John Hopkins) and she thought that the staff was not as impressive as she initially thought they’d be. Do you know how qualified the prof. are in the honors program and if they continue to challenge their students? Because everyone takes the same MCATs, I’m motivated to stay on top of my game and be at the same pace as say a student at a top tier school like UPenn and so on. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’d go with Temple for sure. It is cheaper, you will have a full college experience, the honors program has nice perks, and it seems to be ahead of USP academically. </p>
<p>Fundamentally, USP is still a pharmacy school trying to expand its base by enrolling some premeds. It may be easier to do well there – Temple attracts a lot of smart, hard-working kids who are very competitive and have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder if they had tried to get into Penn, or the Pitt Honors College. Temple is huge; USP not so much.</p>
<p>@JHS @happy1 How about temple honors versus penn state main campus? I was also admitted there; however, I was rejected by the honors college and will be paying approximately the same as USP. Sorry about the chain of questions! College decision making is stressful </p>
<p>Even up against PSU, I’d go with Temple Honors. I looked into it for my D. If you’re a Philly student, living at Temple won’t be a problem. The neighborhood is rougher than other parts of the city, but you should be able to handle it without any unpleasantness. However, if you’re from a cow pasture, you’re going to need some wizening. </p>
<p>I’d still go with Temple Honors, unless you’re looking for a more “traditional college experience”, which Penn State will certainly provide. You’ll have a more distinctive, personal experience in Honors.
However as jkeil said, it depends where you’re from (I assumed you were from Philly). </p>
<p>Thank you all for your help! My parents are currently swaying me towards PSU because they believe Temple U equates to something like a community college… I personally like Temple better but (call me needy/selfish) I’d still love some more input. I know that in the end it’ll be my decision but I’m so afraid that I’ll make the wrong one. Temple vs. PSU anyone? </p>
<p>PSu is definitely a better school but you got into Honors, so it changes things vs. PSU non honors, although the level of non honors at PSU is close to that of Honors at Temple so the main advantages are the dorm, the personalized experience, etc., which are not to be discounted.
Ultimately, med school applicants need to focus on the place that will minimize debt and maximize GPA.
What are your stats (GPA/SAT/APs?)</p>
<p>@MYOS1634
I have a 1360 SAT score (CR+ Math) and a 720 for writing.
I have a 3.8 GPA.
I’ve also taken AP Gov’t, Human Geo, Bio, Calc AB, US History, and Physics. I also took an Anatomy and Physiology class two years advanced (honors) and a selective Biotech course. I’ve gotten 4s and 5s on all tests and As in all classes except Biology.
I know I’m not particularly a genius, but I have to make sure I’ll be challenged. I’m motivated to work much harder than I did in high school.
And if I do go to PSU, I’ve heard that entering Schryers is not as difficult after Freshman year. </p>
<p>Your parents’ position is uninformed. A cc offers no upper level courses, let alone masters and PhD programs, medical schools, law schools, etc. Temple is the real deal in a lot of areas. I love PSU but Temple Honors is going to be just as good for less money, money you will need if you get into med school. I have no horse in this race, but I know both schools pretty well. You will be challenged at Temple.</p>
What’s not to like? That will beat, hands down, University of the Sciences - both socially and academically.</p>
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