<p>So I'm currently considering all of the following as pre-med options. Which schools, in your opinion, are better? My intended major is biology or bio-medical engineering. Which school will be easier to obtain a higher gpa at? Which schools will provide the best chance for me to get into medical school? I am by no means basing my decision on this fact alone but it is hard to find statistics about these things. My high school gpa was 3.85 unweighted and 4.05 weighted if that helps.</p>
<p>Ohio State University
University of Miami
Case Western Reserve University
University of Minnesota
University of Pittsburgh
University of Southern California
Rochester Institute of Technology
Boston University
Stony Brook University</p>
<p>With scholarships, the University of Minnesota, the University of Miami, the University of Southern California, the University of Pittsburgh, Case western Reserve University, and Stony Brook University all cost the same.</p>
<p>That said, I am interested in pursuing either biology or biomedical engineering (or a mix of the two). I also am looking for an area where it will be easier to find clinical and research opportunities with physicians. I’m interested in becoming a volunteer EMT. Any feedback?</p>
<p>I should visit the colleges. I really haven’t done that yet except for the U of Minnesota (which is local).</p>
<p>If you want a school that has the easiest access to top clinical and research opportunities, I think Pitt is the school you should seriously consider. It is 5th in total amount of National Institute of Health (NIH) funding, which the major mechanism by which academic bio and medical science is funded in the US, and those numbers directly correlate to the quality and quantity of research being done. By USNews rankings, Pitt’s medical center (UPMC) is ranked #13 in USNews Hospitals, its medical school is also ranked 13th by USNews, and its graduate biomedical engineering program is ranked 12th and its undergrad biomed engineering is ranked 21st. I don’t believe any of the other schools on your list are close to those rankings, especially in combination. And here’s the kicker, the main branch of the medical center, including the vast majority of the research facilities, is right on the undergrad campus. There is a undergrad dorm literally on the side of the main hospital. That is super convenient for finding a lab or volunteer opportunity that you like, and being able to easily get to it in between classes or other social engagements. Undergrad research is also a major emphasis of the university at Pitt.</p>
<p>I attended both Pitt and Miami, so I can tell you that for your interests Pitt should definitively be rated above Miami and its not even remotely close.</p>
<p>You need to visit and research particular school. People are different and some are completely turned off by location / campus / size or whatever negative feeling they experience during visit. The things that are the most important t UG are your college GPA and MCAT score, opportunities for EC’s medically related or otherwise are everywhere. As long as you pursue them, you are fine. And keep in mind, your time will be very limited.</p>
<p>I understand the importance of gpa and MCAT scores. I also realize how little impact the school (given that it has a decent quality of education) has on the MCAT score. Which school, then, will give me the best chance of getting a high gpa if I want to major in biology or biomedical engineering?</p>
<p>You are grabbing at straws…the school that will give you the best chance for that is the school that is the best fit and and where you will be happiest…these are the things that will impact your GPA more than anything else.</p>
<p>How many ways and how many times do you have to hear the same thing?</p>
<p>If you can’t make a decision and all are “equal” in your mind, flip a coin. Then see how you feel about the outcome.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know. I think I need to visit some of these colleges before I can really know which one I’d be happiest at. It’s just difficult to make such a huge decision (especially when either option would probably serve me fine).</p>