Choosing undergrad

[zeppelinpage4]

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So I got accepted into both my top choices and hope to major in biology while doing pre-med.
Now bio was a class that genuinely appealed to me but most people tell me to stray away from it as a major if I am pre-med.

The state school I got into (SUNY Geneseo) has a very hard bio program, most students drop out or can't handle it. It's a very "sink or swim" type of college and i'm not sure if I can make it to the top and earn a high enough GPA.

The other school a small private (Union college) is a little bit more laid back, they give students alot of attention and extra help and there's a lot of research available. Especially because Albany Medical College and Ellis Hospital are near the campus. They also have supposedly good advising.

The issue is that I liked Geneseo's rural location more and think I'll get a fuller college experience since it's far from home. Only as a pre-med I risk possibly skrewing myself over quite badly.

So is it a good idea to pick a school where you think you'll be more successful? Or pick a school where you think you'll be a little bit happier? I have to tell my parents my final decision tonight but this is one of the toughest decisions i've had to make.

 

[Mattabet]

You can be successful anywhere. Go where you'll be happier.

 

[Rzarecta]

So I got accepted into both my top choices and hope to major in biology while doing pre-med.
Now bio was a class that genuinely appealed to me but most people tell me to stray away from it as a major if I am pre-med.

The state school I got into (SUNY Geneseo) has a very hard bio program, most students drop out or can't handle it. It's a very "sink or swim" type of college and i'm not sure if I can make it to the top and earn a high enough GPA.

The other school a small private (Union college) is a little bit more laid back, they give students alot of attention and extra help and there's a lot of research available. Especially because Albany Medical College and Ellis Hospital are near the campus. They also have supposedly good advising.

The issue is that I liked Geneseo's rural location more and think I'll get a fuller college experience since it's far from home. Only as a pre-med I risk possibly skrewing myself over quite badly.

So is it a good idea to pick a school where you think you'll be more successful? Or pick a school where you think you'll be a little bit happier? I have to tell my parents my final decision tonight but this is one of the toughest decisions i've had to make.

I say go to Geneseo as it is probably much cheaper and it seems that you may enjoy it more. Do the "fuller college experience" but in moderation and you will be fine. If you really want to do research in undergrad I am sure that Geneseo has opportunities (I know of two very brilliant people that went to college there and had both done significant research).

 

[sarahg]

I'd pick Union, but it depends on your personality. Will you enjoy a very competitive, sink-or-swim environment? I prefer an environment where everyone gets along, so to speak, and there is ample opportunity for everyone to succeed. I also think you'll have an easier time finding volunteer and clinical experience in a non-rural location. But, it's so individual. I left a high-ranked huge public uni for a private school because I wanted more personal attention and access to advising (we had advisors at the former but all they could tell you was whether you were on track to graduate). Plenty of people are happy in those environments, though.

That said, if being at a private school would leave me in debt versus no debt with public, I'd probably have stayed at the public. Being debt-free gives you a certain amount of freedom that I don't think you fully comprehend until you've graduated or are about to. So do take cost into consideration.

 

[futureapppsy2]

What is the cost/debt differential between the two?

 

[zeppelinpage4]

What is the cost/debt differential between the two?

Well the cost is the same.

SUNY Geneseo is $16,000 a year.

Union College is $15,000 a year. They gave me 30K a year in scholarship money so tuition is about the same.

At first the "sink or swim" idea scared me alot but I ultimately picked Geneseo and began to like the idea of challenging myself. However since Union took me off the waitlist i'm having to re-consider my priorities. Not sure which I want, definitely Union would be a little easier...but I don't know what my capabilities are yet.

 

[futureapppsy2]

If the cost is the same, I'd say Union... You just seem to like it more.

 

[nycneighbor]

If you go in anywhere with the mentality that you are likely to either sink or swim, chances are that that will affect you. If you're telling yourself that these are both your top choices, then you must feel as if you deserve to go to either, and so make the call that best fits you. The quality of life as a "pre-med" at a college should be almost nonexistent in your decision. Hundreds of freshmen come into colleges wanting to go to medical school every year, and the majority of them never follow through with it. I'm not saying that you will be one of them, but just in case it is, and you had picked that school specifically for the pre-med reason, then what will be your motivation to follow through for the remainder of your years there? Furthermore, keep in mind that the students who you are competing with for admission at top medical schools attended top undergraduate programs themselves. These students likely went to top 25 schools and even then, walked out doing well in an intensely competitive environment. If you're afraid of competing at your own school, then how do you expect to stand up next to all of these students? Pick the place where you'll be the happiest at, and work hard when you get there. Tell yourself that you're capable of doing well, and make smart choices. Don't let the idea of freedom/independence/alcohol tempt you- act in moderation because you do not want to be one of the students on here who's posting because they screwed up their first term or year. And remember that pre-med is nothing more than a label; everyone can and will call themselves that. I personally think you're pre-med once you've finished up the bulk of your requirements, settled down with your ECs, and taken the MCAT, but I know many will disagree with me. You're not going to college to be pre-med, you're going to be an undergraduate. Pick where being an undergraduate is best for you. Good luck!

 

[witness23]

yo

Union is connected to Albany med and I believe there is an internal program. I'm not sure if that has been mentioned or whatever, but if you are down for that kinda thing... well, think about it.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

If you go in anywhere with the mentality that you are likely to either sink or swim, chances are that that will affect you. If you're telling yourself that these are both your top choices, then you must feel as if you deserve to go to either, and so make the call that best fits you. The quality of life as a "pre-med" at a college should be almost nonexistent in your decision. Hundreds of freshmen come into colleges wanting to go to medical school every year, and the majority of them never follow through with it. I'm not saying that you will be one of them, but just in case it is, and you had picked that school specifically for the pre-med reason, then what will be your motivation to follow through for the remainder of your years there? Furthermore, keep in mind that the students who you are competing with for admission at top medical schools attended top undergraduate programs themselves. These students likely went to top 25 schools and even then, walked out doing well in an intensely competitive environment. If you're afraid of competing at your own school, then how do you expect to stand up next to all of these students? Pick the place where you'll be the happiest at, and work hard when you get there. Tell yourself that you're capable of doing well, and make smart choices. Don't let the idea of freedom/independence/alcohol tempt you- act in moderation because you do not want to be one of the students on here who's posting because they screwed up their first term or year. And remember that pre-med is nothing more than a label; everyone can and will call themselves that. I personally think you're pre-med once you've finished up the bulk of your requirements, settled down with your ECs, and taken the MCAT, but I know many will disagree with me. You're not going to college to be pre-med, you're going to be an undergraduate. Pick where being an undergraduate is best for you. Good luck!

Yeah, i'm really going in completely unaware of what could happen. I guess we could say I hope to be pre-med and at the moment I really want to be a doctor. However I need to think twice as to whether I want this to effect my decision for undergrad or not.

yo

Union is connected to Albany med and I believe there is an internal program. I'm not sure if that has been mentioned or whatever, but if you are down for that kinda thing... well, think about it.

I was told they had one but my scores weren't high enough to apply for it so I would have to take the traditional route at both schools.

There is definitely a higher percentage of Union students going into med school just because of the small student body and I found this article quite interesting http://www.union.edu/N/DS/s.php?s=7259.

There seems to be more Geneseo applicants mentioned on this website though, I haven't heard anything about Union college on the forums yet.

 

[rHinO1]

The idea that Union is easier is probably not all that true. It may be a little easier, but the difficulty of most college classes are fairly close between schools. Biology is a challenging major no matter where you go, but if you love the subject you can be successful anywhere. So go where ever you think you will be the happiest 🙂. Good luck.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Yeah that's very reassuring to hear, thank you guys. =]

The thing is I do honestly love both schools and wouldn't mind either but I like the rural location of Geneseo. The last week i've had almost 20 adults pushing for Union and pressuring me into it and I can't say that's not effecting my decision a little bit as well.

They tell me i'll regret Geneseo and Union would have given me a lot more opportunities and looked better cause it's a private LAC.

Both schools were nice and maybe I should reconsider after other doctors in the area keep pushing for Union. Really it's my gut feeling against there opinions. Either way both schools are very good and I think i'll be happy at either.