<p>It seems as if May 1st is right around the corner, but I cannot decide on a school.</p>
<p>I will major in biology and follow whatever my adviser tells me to do for pre-med.</p>
<p>Please take a look at my pro/con list below and tell me what you think I should do.</p>
<p>Pros to BC:
-love Boston/ the campus
-love the student body
-good facilities
-I know I will have a great time socially.</p>
<p>Cons to BC:
-dorms are ugly
-not in the Honors Program
-seems like there are not many research opportunities for freshman/sophomores (at least that's the feeling I got from a Biology professor)
-not really a fan of the core curriculum concept</p>
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<p>Pros to Wesleyan:
-probably the best out of the three in terms of academics (esp. pre-med, 90% of pre-med students get into med school supposedly)
-research opportunities abound
-somewhat smaller, better "school community"
-love the campus
-really flexible curriculum</p>
<p>Cons to Wesleyan:
-not so sure about the student body (this is a big one)
-hate the middletown area, plus it's in my home state
-it seems like the type of school you either love or hate</p>
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<p>Pros to Northeastern:
-honors program comes with really great opportunities
-scholarship ($15k a year)
-great clinical experience
-in the heart of boston</p>
<p>Cons to Northeastern:
-many friends going there, and I kind of want to branch away from my friends
-not so sure about the pre-med program or other academics</p>
<p>Please help me! Share any insight you may have!</p>
<p>Well, put it this way: you’ve made your preference for Boston kind of plain. My question is, have you visited Northeastern? For someone who might not get off on Middletown’s gritty, neo-Brooklyn side (or North End), I’m not sure that “The Fens” is really a trade-up.</p>
<p>Agree with johnwesley - also, your ‘con’ list kind of left us (or you) without any choice. You’re unsure about BC’s core curriculum (a biggie) and you’re unsure about Wesleyan’s student body (which you agree too is a biggie.) That leaves Northeastern, whose academics leave you uncertain. So what’s there to choose from? You should reconsider your criteria and do more research on the schools for more reliable pros and cons.</p>
<p>katiliamom: While I’ll admit that I am very picky and perhaps my con list is a bit harsh, I included these strong cons so perhaps people could dispute them and share insight about the school. I guess I was hoping someone could calm my fears, so to speak.
I have visited each school and would probably be content with going to any one of them, but I want to go the one that will fit me the best. I have basically outlined what I’m looking for and what I am unsure about above, so if anyone could give me their opinion it would be greatly valued.</p>
<p>Take Northeastern out of the equation. Personally, I got into the Honors Program with a $20K/yr. I did my research… NEU has a fairly weak College of Sciences, a vast majority of students doing a 5-year program (with a lack of co-op opportunities for those who do four years), and an Honors program that is mostly just hype (according to current Honors students whom I’ve spoken to.)</p>
<p>I’d say, all in all, Wesleyan is the best option here, but BC is a close second, so both are excellent options. Really, it comes down to which one you feel you’d be happier in and where you’d succeed.</p>
<p>while it is probably true that there are not a lot of research opportunities at BC for underclassmen, the Boston area is full of high tech and pharma firms who do hire/mentor undergrads. If you have AP credit, you can bypass some/many of BC’s Core requirements. If you really want honors, you can apply after your Frosh year, but many eligibles decide not to (since the advantages, particularly to a science major aren’t so clear). Dorms at BC run the gamut – some are quite nice, suite-style and air conditioned. Others are standard college-design, cinder block style, but all are clean with wifi. But if ‘palatial’ dorms are a mandatory requirement…</p>
<p>If you’re hardcord about med school, cross northeastern off. Wesleyan or BC are much, much MUCH stronger in terms of both science and premed programs. Check your sources carefully about Northeastern- they may only “sponsor” candidates with certain profiles.</p>
<p>BC vs. Wesleyan… if you’re from CT, Boston is a nice change of pace. Wesleyan’s science program is better, but if you hate the kids there, you won’t engage. I wouldn’t worry too much about the core courses at BC- I went to a LAC and wished I had been pushed to take courses outside my interests. BC has a stronger sports program, if that’s of interest to you… if it’s strictly about academics, though, go with Wes.</p>
<p>Thank you guys! I was already leaning toward taking Northeastern out of the equation and now I think I really should.</p>
<p>I visited Wesleyan a couple of days ago and I loved it. Sure, the student body was a little odd but at least it has character/diversity. And everyone is really nice! Plus, the dorms were so much better than those at BC. I also actually like the idea that it’s a smaller population because it might be easier to make friends, get involved, and take advantage of various opportunities. Overall, I just have this gut feeling that I’m supposed to go there. If I didn’t, I’d probably regret it. So, I think I’m going to Wesleyan!</p>