<p>W&M, Colgate, Emory, UMD College Park Scholar program, (Tuft hopeful). </p>
<p>Not qualify for any FA. Some merit $$ from UMD (Oos)</p>
<p>For biology major planning on grad school (pre-med or research), your opinion is appreciated.</p>
<p>are you instate Virginia and can take advantage of the enormous benefit of instate tuition at William and Mary? If so, that would be very hard to pass up in my humble opinion. Its an amazing school, though students there tend to be very competitive (not laid back). </p>
<p>I know someone at UMD in that scholars program, but he is instate from Maryland. He loves it and is doing extremely well.</p>
<p>Its a fine school, but its also a large state school with plenty of distractions and party animals. So if you are disciplined, fine. If not, you better avoid it.</p>
<p>Colgate is a super school in upstate New York. Its a bit remote and hard to get into and out of for travel, which adds to the cost and the hassle. It tends to be upper crust and by some reports a conservative school. </p>
<p>Tufts is a great school just outside of Boston. I know someone there now. If you adore Boston, you will really like Tufts. And its an outstanding place from which to apply to medical school. </p>
<p>Emory is a quintessential southern school. Its very prestigious and has some superb programs. Its an entirely different social scene than northeastern schools. I would say it has more in common with William and Mary than the others. </p>
<p>You have 5 outstanding schools and there is nothing wrong with any of them. Depending on your finances and where you are from and what are your personal interests outside of class, your personality…you should pick based on where you will think you will thrive the best and be happiest. That may or may not comport with ranking and prestige.</p>
<p>endlessrecession,
Thank you for you insight. We are OOS for all of them. They are all good schools, that is why it is so difficult for my son to choose. BTY - I agree with your name.</p>
<p>Anyone in MD or VA have any insight to the impact of the current financial situation on those state institutions?</p>
<p>All great schools but very, very different locations, weather, settings. W&M has the best med school acceptance rate of any school in VA. Good luck.</p>