<p>Hi everyone! I was recently accepted to Wash U and just had a couple questions regarding their premed program. First of all, I've heard the competition is extremely cutthroat and a majority of the students who declare premed end up dropping out (something which I really don't want to do). I'm very worried that I might not be able to maintain a high enough GPA at Wash U in order to get into a med school. My in-state school, Arizona State University, has a good bme program, but almost a non-existent premed program. I know I would be able to maintain a good GPA at ASU, however it is a notorious party school, and has a gigantic student population (making it difficult to stand out). Which university would be best for a premed student? I'm really struggling with this decision, and am just completely confused. Any input would be greatly, greatly appreciated!!! Thanks for reading!</p>
<p>Oh, Wash U all the way. I have no basis for this reason though, so you might not want to listen to me, hahah. I just know its a great school, and I would hate to sell myself short by going to an easier school. Thats just me though.</p>
<p>Why not Wash U? I mean, you got accepted, that means the university believed you could handle the pressure & workload & stuff, right? I may be doing pre-med as well (applied as a biochem major, but will take all the med school requirements - which is what pre-med is, isn't it?) so we can be friends :D
One reason I chose Wash U was because it was a small and not-so-partying school. I don't want to have to compete against 500 people in one lecture, or be surrounded by people who drink all the time and think that's 'cool'.
Plus you'll get to know your professors!</p>
<p>Hey, guys, thanks a bunch for the advice- it was very helpful! I love wustl tons (especially since it's not a major party school and is just wonderful in general), and was just a bit discouraged by what I've heard about the overly competitive and dreadful atmosphere among premeds. Madfox- we really should be friends- us premeds need to unite as one big happy family! :-)</p>
<p>By the way, do you know HOW hard it is to get an A? At my sister's school (1st tier) she said about 30% of the students in a class get A's (Engineering major) and I thought that's not as hard as I thought, but I suppose we are competing against people of similar braininess.. Plus I've heard that the really really top schools let their students off a bit, caz they've done so much work getting there.</p>
<p>I heard really bad things about waashu's premed program. This comes directly from my friends who have gone there in the past and recently (3 of them are juniors).</p>
<p>They said that WashU has a great premed program but like many people suspect, its extremely cutthroat. People will backstab you just to beat you on a test.</p>
<p>Thats why I signed up for their Biomedical Engineering. :P</p>
<p>Madfox- Unfortunately, I was unable to find the % of students who receive As, however, I have heard that it is a bit more difficult to receive As here than it is at somewhere like Harvard, where grade inflation is very prominent.<br>
Polonius- I've heard the exact thing about wustl's premed (I'm majoring in bme but will complete the premed coursework), which makes me a bit weary of going here. Great inputs, and I would love to hear more opinions about their premed!</p>
<p>my brother is a wash u premed, and he complains not so much of the backstabbing but just the heavy courseload in general...it is hard to do well on a curve when many people are as intelligent/more intelligent/more hardworking than you are...but he also slacked off first semester, so if you stay focused, you'll be able to handle it</p>
<p>i was really trying to avoid going to wash u because i was very intimidated by the premed competitiveness (i will be premed too) but i got rejected from my other top choice so i'll be sticking it out</p>
<p>I'm doing biomedical engineering as well on the premed track. When I took my tour there last fall, my guide told me that somewhere near 60% of the kids start out as premeds, but the intro classes are like filters, and they automatically get rid of the kids who can't handle it. The number drops to only 20% or something. Kind of scary...</p>