<p>Which of these schools is the best choice for a premed student who wants to keep her options open?</p>
<p>Which school has the best chance for looking to keep your options open: Colgate.</p>
<p>Which school would be easiest to get a higher GPA, which seems like the main criteria for med school: Villanova (as you'll be competing, on average, with less smart students). However, I don't know if that one aspect is enough to base a school decision on.</p>
<p>Colgate and Bucknell beat out Villanova for academics. I'm not sure that the kids at Villanova are dumb, but I am seriously considering agreeing with Gellino.</p>
<p>I'm not saying the students at Villanova are dumb. When the avg SAT at Colgate is 1350; 1310 at Bucknell and 1280 at Villanova, everyone needs to decide for themselves what that means as far as relative intelligence and atmosphere on campus is concerned.</p>
<p>My teacher spent her first semester as a freshman at Bucknell and then transferred to Villanova; Bucknell just wasn't a "fit" for her, she kept assuring me (since Bucknell's my top choice). She loved Villanova... in fact, in her junior year she decided to apply as a transfer student to UPenn, got accepted, and then turned UPenn down because she wanted to stay. </p>
<p>However, she did admit that the atmosphere at Bucknell was a lot more academic than at Villanova. She said VIllanova was much more party-oriented then. Probably is still true now; she's pretty young.</p>
<p>Hi All -
Any insiders out there who can offer input on Colgate’s Early Assurance medical school program?
My daughter is looking at pre-professional paths, and is high on Colgate, but also looking (recognizing the slim odds) at the seven-year progams in PA.
Any thoughts would be appreciated for this rookie college dad.</p>
<p>Villanova University
Academics
Villanova emphasizes not only the importance of academics but also service and connection with the community, is how one student sums up life at this Catholic university just outside Philadelphia. Most students agree the school’s emphasis on community and “dedication to service” was an important factor as was its excellent academic reputation. That said, Villanova’s “well-rounded academic focus,” “excellent nursing and business school programs,” and “outstanding” faculty are definitely strong draws for students who choose to attend. Villanova “requires students to take classes based on a core curriculum, which [leads] to a well-rounded education.” “You will work hard,” warns one student, “but if you put in the work, you will do well.” “The professors at Villanova are fantastic!” says another. “I’ve had professors give out e-mail addresses, cell, home and office numbers, even an AIM screenname in order to make contacting them as easy as possible.” The professors for the most are “PhDs and love to teach. You are never taught by a grad student.” Even the harshest critique has an element of praise in it: “You either get someone you completely click with and is very interactive with students, or you get a PhD who just has to teach a class and isn’t very good at teaching, but is really, really smart.” The administration gets high marks as well. “If I wanted to meet with Father Peter, the president of Villanova, I could go see him tomorrow. Everyone is accessible.” Keep in mind, though, that a little initiative is not a bad thing. "You need to be your own advocate-you can get anything you want if you ask nicely (or not so nicely, if need be), but nothing will happen if you don’t ask</p>
<p>Student Body
Good-looking, white, over-achievers who like to have a good time seems to be the prevailing consensus. “However, that seems to be changing more and more every year,” one student says. “We are starting to see many more minorities, which obviously is a great and refreshing thing to see.” “Villanova is not as preppy, conservative, or homogeneous as it was….The newer students seem a bit more liberal and academic than the students of years before.” Regardless of race or politics, the typical Villanova student “is very service oriented and excels academically,” not to mention a “basketball fanatic.” “In general, everyone gets along nicely, and the multitude of student organizations and trips foster school unity.” Many people note, although Villanova is not a huge university, "students outside the Villanova norm can easily find their own niche in the community.</p>
<p>Campus Life
The “idea of community is extremely important” at Villanova, and student life, both on campus and off, tends to reflect that. “The average student works hard four days a week, parties harder two days a week, and spends the seventh day working for some cause,” explains one student. “Life at Villanova seems to be a work hard during the day, play hard during the night atmosphere,” says another. “People are serious about their schoolwork and do many activities. However, once it becomes nighttime, especially Thursday through Saturday, many people drink and throw parties. People generally like to have a good time.” “Basketball and frat parties” seem to make up a majority of the social life. But, “there is always stuff to do for fun that does not involve partying.” “Sporting events are huge here at the school as our basketball program is fantastic.” It’s worth pointing out “if you don’t like basketball, you will learn to like it even if you never actually understand it.” Villanova is only 12 miles and a short train ride away from Center City Philadelphia, where “many people go out to dinner or shopping,” or to watch (of course) basketball at the Wachovia Center. The school also provides free shuttle buses to the huge King of Prussia mall nearby. There is a Greek presence at Villanova, but because “there are no frat, sorority, or sports houses on campus,” much of the Greek life takes place at off-campus houses and apartments, and “parties are usually hard to get to.” Ultimately, “the community of students is very tight-knit,” and “there are always activities on campus that involve volunteer work or group projects in the surrounding areas.”</p>
<p>-Princeton Review</p>
<p>Colgate University
Academics
Colgate University, “the epitome of a work hard, play hard school,” provides “a rigorous academic environment, an outstanding student and faculty population, and an abundance of social opportunities” to its “preppy,” “intelligent-but-not-nerdy” student body. Students report that “Colgate is academically strong in the humanities, such as political science, English, psychology, and economics” and “also has good natural sciences programs that are enhanced by the new science building,” a $56.3 million structure that houses 40 research labs, 13 teaching labs, and a teaching/research greenhouse. All students here must complete a set of general education requirements that “force you to look beyond your major work,” sometimes leading to discovery of new, unanticipated areas of interest. “It is not uncommon for students to double major in two vastly different departments” as a result of their gen-ed experiences, students tell us. Colgate’s size and location foster community-building; the “administration and faculty don’t just work at Colgate, but live Colgate. In this way, they are dedicated to your education and create a passionate, hands-on, and inspiring place to learn,” translating into “great opportunities to research with great professors and be in leadership positions.” The workload is tough here; "at the end of a semester you may have four final exams and 80 pages of writing to do, but that absolutely won’t stop you from going out on Friday night. (Saturday night too. And Wednesday night. Maybe Monday also.)</p>
<p>Student Body
“When looking from the surface, Colgate students don’t appear diverse” because of the “undeniable majority of white students all in Uggs and Oxfords,” but “although most students dress alike, there are great discussions in and out of the classroom because each Colgate student is actually very different from the next once you have the opportunity to talk to them.” Even so, just about everyone here concedes that “this is a very preppy campus.” Students tend to be “very laid-back, but in that perfectly groomed, ‘I just rolled out of bed looking this good’ kind of way.” They are also "passionate about something. Everyone has her own thing to enjoy. It could be a recreational club, a dance group, a community service group, an academic or research project, a student club, etc. You find that a lot of Colgate students are active members in one way or another.</p>
<p>Campus Life
Colgate students take pride in the fact that they can handle both demanding academics and a bustling party scene. “The daytime is for work, nighttime (except Tuesday) is for fun,” explains one student. “If you know where to look, you can find a party five days a week, and definitely on weekends.” Some warn that “The social/party scene around here can get a bit frustrating for some girls at times. If you like to be in serious relationships, Colgate is going to be a whole different ballgame for you…mostly the students here are interested in hook-ups,” but by and large student feedback on the party scene is positive. Greek life “makes up a lot of the social scene, but the school itself provides many opportunities open to the entire campus that are generally very well attended,” including “banquets, sports events, movies, etc.” Colgate football and hockey are “extremely popular;” the school is “Division I in athletics, which is unique for a small liberal arts school. This aspect brings a lot of school spirit and adds to the sense of community here.” There’s “not much to do in Hamilton” other than “three main bars and The Jug,” the latter being a “legendary” “bar/mosh pit that underclassmen go to after making the long trek from the dorms up on campus into town.”</p>
<p>Bucknell University
Academics
A “medium-sized liberal arts college in a great setting in central Pennsylvania with an outstanding business program,” Bucknell offers a “top-notch education with an intense focus on extracurricular activities, whether they be sports, student government, or otherwise.” In addition to “a great reputation for excellent academics,” Bucknell’s “study-abroad opportunities, alumni presence, professor/faculty relationship with students, and small school/class size” also attract students. A “friendly atmosphere and picturesque campus” provide the backdrop for “small class sizes and caring professors.” “Professors are generally very passionate about their subject matter” and “inspire enthusiasm,” which makes for “a phenomenal education.” Professors are “always available for help outside of class” and “are always willing to go the extra mile for students.” Legendary for its “excellent engineering program and Division 1 athletics,” Bucknell succeeds in nearly every arena. And with an “amazing” alumni network, Bucknellians are quick to remember one of their own. School spirit and networking opportunities extend far beyond a student’s four-year tenure. “The connections you make as an undergraduate will serve you for the rest of your life. Job opportunities open up just because you went to Bucknell.” Due to its rigorous academic program and vigorous alumni support, "Bucknell is great at preparing students for life after graduation.</p>
<p>Student Body
The majority of students at Bucknell are “fun-loving, but they know when to crack the whip and get work done and study.” With a zest for social activities that rival the school’s rigorous academic program, the typical students at Bucknell are “spirited, athletic Greeks who care tremendously about their academic and co-curricular experiences.” “Athletic and hardworking” “on the surface, Bucknellians may seem homogeneous,” but “everyone finds a niche on campus.” “People are all extremely smart;” however, due to the “friendly atmosphere” and “school spirit” fostered by this tight-knit community, “it is not an incredibly competitive environment.” Though the typical student is described as “wealthy, preppy, and Caucasian,” students say “there is very little racial discrimination.” Despite the school’s efforts to increase diversity, “minority students tend to stick together,” though “they are generally accepted and supported.” As one student remarks, Bucknell is “truly an undefinable place” and “a great microcosm of the world as it combines a great education” while having the jocks interacting with the hippies."</p>
<p>Campus LIfe:
Set in on a sprawling 450-acre estate in rural Pennsylvania, Bucknell features a “breath-taking” campus and “a small, close-knit environment,” where students “feel a part of a unified community.” Due to the campus’ physical remove, some students remark that the university may appear as though it is “in the middle of nowhere.” However, with “over 100 interest clubs,” “there is always something to do.” “Bucknell is all about community and balancing an active social and academic lifestyle.” Though students are quick to apply the “work hard, play hard” slogan to life at Bucknell, one student notes the adage might be better re-written: “work hard, THEN play hard.” “People are generally involved in many clubs or do lots of community service.” When it comes to letting off steam on the weekends, “Greek life is the foundation of Bucknell’s social life.” However, “everyone is very accomplished,” and “the population is unique and interesting in its talents, personalities, and abilities.”</p>
<p>my sister went to Colgate and I went to Villanova business, we both got accepted into both, one is in the middle of cow country, the other is right outside a major city, one has a top basketball team to watch, one does not, its what you care about in your school, i loved the fact that Nova had a great basketball team that i could go to games, etc. and now as an alumni its even better going to games, but my sister also liked the rural aspects of colgate, so its beyond acedemics</p>