What are the bio classes and programs like at Northwestern, Stanford, Penn, and Tufts?

Are the programs strong? Are they large seminar classes or small individualized classes? Are there a lot of T.A. teachers? Is it hard to reach out to professors? Are there a lot of research opportunities for undergrads? Do they prepare for grad school?

@smsstudent

Yes all of these schools have strong bio programs.

I think most would rank them for bio ( and in general) as follows:

Stanford
Penn
Northwestern
Tufts

Stanford and Penn have two of the very top medical schools and affiliated hospitals in the country and they offer many research opportunities to undergrads through the hospitals and med schools. Northwestwrn also has a very strong med school and hospital system, but I don’t really know anything about the research opportunities available. Also Tufts has good opportunities for research.

At Penn all classes are taught by professors, not TAs. TAs hold additional office hours ( in addition to the professor’s office hours) and recitations. I would imagine that is the case in the other three schools too? Not sure though.

The intro bio lectures are pretty big in most schools but they get smaller as you progress.

Thanks! I will use this information to my advantage.