WashU OR Emory for pre-med track??

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
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<p>Hello,</p>

<p>We could really use some guidance/insights. My S is admitted to both Emory and WashU/STL for Fall 2018 class. He is really interested in pursuing a pre-med track (Biochem OR biology major with minor or double major in econ) and eventually has aspirations to go to med school.</p>

<p>He has visited both schools and really likes both of them as well... however he is a bit conflicted on deciding the one.</p>

<p>The concern for him is - he has heard that the pre-med track at WashU is EXTREMELY rigorous and the drop out rate (folks dropping out from pre-med) is REALLY high. This on top of the relatively higher caliber students at WashU comparatively speaking than the students at Emory (this was based on his interactions with students when he stayed at each school for about 2-3 days). He feels that he will stand out at Emory and not as much at WashU and as such at WashU there is a higher likelihood of his grade/GPA getting impacted. In other facets - volunteer work/opportunities, research and clinical opportunities, advising, mentorship etc. etc. he feels are on par at both schools. </p>

<p>So the question is... if he looks ahead to med school and if he gets a lower GPA at WashU than lets say what he gets at Emory and everything else being equal, will that hurt his chances of admission? Another way to put it, is he better of going to Emory where he has the potential of getting a higher GPA and thereby a easier path to getting into med school OR is he better off going to WashU with a much rigorous program and higher caliber students and risk getting a lower GPA and thus hurt his change of admissions into med school? </p>

<p>Understand there are lot of what if's and hypotheticals here, but would really welcome your opinions/suggestion/feedback/insights?</p>

<p>Thanks.
Chandra Mahesh</p>

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<p>Med schools won’t care. The two schools are identical to them and to most people. It’s a coin toss if truly everything else on the list is equal. </p>

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<p>Regardless of what school he goes to, the pre-med track will be difficult. That said, I am not sure how rigorous Emory’s pre-med track is in comparison to WashU’s. I am currently a pre-med student at WashU, majoring in Biology (with the Biochem track) and will say that WashU pre-med IS difficult. However, if you are willing to put in the effort/hard work/hours, etc to succeeding in the pre-med track, it is completely doable. I was personally did not have amazing grades in high school (yes my stats were good, but not great-- in comparison to other WashU students), however I learned to work my butt off at WashU and have done very well in the Pre-Med courses here. In fact, my GPA at WashU is ironically higher than it ever was in high school (I may be the exception to the rule, but I’m proof that its possible!). As long as your son is willing to use the amazing resources that WashU has to offer, it IS doable. If anything, a rigorous undergraduate pre-med track will prepare you for med school. Also keep in mind that the environment WashU has to offer – MANY other pre-meds (aka study buddies!) and LOTS of resources (career center, pre-health advisors, the med campus, MCAT prep etc). Ultimately, getting into med school means more than your GPA, but there is no escaping being a hard working student if you want to be pre-med. I’m sorry I can really only offer a one-sided view, but I hope this helps? Let me know if you have any other questions regarding pre-med at WashU. Good Luck and congrats to your son!</p>