So far I have been accepted to
SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY Potsdam
Hartwick College
University of Scranton
Medgar Evers
Colby-Sawyer
Im still waiting for Colby , City College and Hunter. I’m looking for a school that offers the best pre-med program. I want a school with a good pre-med advisor as well. This decision is really important to me but I’m stuck on what to choose. I’m going more towards SUNY Plattsburgh because I want to dorm and it’s the cheapest. Has anyone attended Plattsburgh and can tell me how campus life is and maybe how the pre-med program is?
I think pburghs pre-med program is pretty good. They’ve got a bunch of 3+4 type programs including pharmacy, chiropractor and med schools, except the only med schools they have this arrangement with are two Caribbean schools. They tried to push this on me a little, but that’s not always a wise route. You do always have that card though as a last resort-I believe AUA gives you a guaranteed seat after an interview and as long as you keep a decent GPA, I think 3.5. There’s a hospital next door they offer internships with, and it’s small so research opportunities are super easy to come by. Theres even a 12 credit biochem/cellular biology research course they do that covers a bunch of degree requirements in one. Aside from being cold and in a small town, campus life is great-more of a residential type campus then commuter.
edit: forgot to mention they have an early assurance program w/SUNY Upstate. No MCAT, need a 3.5 GPA and at least 1300 SAT
The biggest downsides are that because the bio program is small, there aren’t as many opportunities to specialize in something like bigger universities, but you can do independent studies in things that interest you. And of course you don’t have to be a bio major to be pre-med, I knew a French major premed, but that’s the route I took. The pre-health committee gave me a lot of useful advise along the way and they do genuinely want you to succeed, and are super nice. Although it was also a little discouraging because I’ve met some adcoms and a handful told me something along these lines: “This looks really good, but I get thousands of really good applicants from better schools.” I still have no idea how this will pan out, but figured I’d give you a heads up!
Thank You so much! I really didn’t think anyone was going to reply lol. This was really helpful and Plattsburgh is now my number one choice. I have heard about the early assurance program but I need to retake my SAT’s so hopefully all goes well! I’m sure everything will work out for you, I have to start planning as well. When do you think I should visit the pre-med advisor?
Scranton is the best school by far on your list. It has an amazing campus and excellent med school placement.
University of Scranton
Glad I could help! That’s something I wish I would have done as it would have made things much easier down the road haha. I’d get into contact with them early on your first year if possible-they’ll get you on the right path and help you get your ducks in a row so you’re not scrambling to get everything together come senior year. I’m gonna leave you with some links to the PHPAC, there’s lots of useful information there you should check out so you can have good questions to ask when you meet with them:
http://www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/prehealthadvising/
http://facweb.plattsburgh.edu/donald.slish/Pre-Health/Prehealth.html
And thank you, should be finding out soon so fingers crossed. I think you’re making a solid choice, good luck in the future!
As a current Hartwick student, I can tell you that the science department along with the pre-health club does a good job preparing students for the real world.
As a freshman, I have already been involved in two research projects with professors. The experiential learning possibilities spread to any interest area, and professors are always looking for input for their next project. That being said, the education is what you make of it, and you have to seek out these opportunities. Though the academics might not be phenomenal, the out of the classroom learning is the best I’ve ever heard of.
@elleswimmer Can you tell me what science you are majoring in? My daughter is interested in geology. We visited in the fall. She liked Hartwick but it is not her #1 choice. Can you tell me anything about the social life, weekends-what are they like? Do they have activities for the students? Do people stay on campus or go home? How are the dorms?