Extremely Confused VA Undergraduate

[futureMD101]

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Hey guys 😀

I'm an upcoming undergraduate in the state of Virginia. I have two options, but I can't seem to choose. I was wondering if you guys could help me out and tell me which one will prepare me, and make me look better, for medical school.

My two options are:

George Mason University
Virginia Commonwealth University

So with GMU the pro's are:
- I can commute
- My family goes there so I'm familiar with it
- It would be easy for me to do summer courses
- I have a full-ride to attend (& Room and Boad if I chose to live there)
- There's a larger scope for research
- Higher Ranked than VCU (146, while VCU is 168 nationally)

With VCU
- I also have been offered a full ride
- I would get to do some good research at MCV
- I would be able to apply to their GMED program during my second year
- I would be able to do some research at MCV


Basically, I see GMU as a better fit, but I don't think many people from GMU go to Medical schools.


Any input would be greatly appreciated !!!

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I'm an upcoming undergraduate in the state of Virginia...
Any input would be greatly appreciated !!!

Go check out hSDN.

 

[raltima07]

Go check out hSDN.

+1

That would help you out a lot

 

[OrangeandMaroon]

I vote Virginia Tech. Just saying.

Hey guys 😀
My two options are:

George Mason University
Virginia Commonwealth University

So with GMU the pro's are:
- I can commute
- My family goes there so I'm familiar with it
- It would be easy for me to do summer courses
- I have a full-ride to attend (& Room and Boad if I chose to live there)
- There's a larger scope for research
- Higher Ranked than VCU (146, while VCU is 168 nationally)

With VCU
- I also have been offered a full ride
- I would get to do some good research at MCV
- I would be able to apply to their GMED program during my second year
- I would be able to do some research at MCV


Basically, I see GMU as a better fit, but I don't think many people from GMU go to Medical schools.

Really? I wasn't aware that GMU conducted more research than VCU (I kinda doubt that).

Picking an undergrad institution is about how you feel more than anything else. If you want to live at home go to GMU. If you want a more traditional college experience by living on campus go to VCU.

Personally I would choose VCU. Good luck.

 

[Reticent]

If you can do this: https://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/honors/guaranteed/medicine/preferred.aspx
go to VCU.

Else, Mason.

 

[futureMD101]

Is there a considerable amount of mason students that matriculate to medical school each year?

And the reason I didn't put this in the HSDN forum is because, well it has nothing to do with high school.

...Common Sense?

But thanks for the help everyone who responded 😀

The research thing is that it's easier to get projects up and started because of the various DC facilities/labs.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Is there a considerable amount of mason students that matriculate to medical school each year?

And the reason I didn't put this in the HSDN forum is because, well it has nothing to do with high school.

...Common Sense?

But thanks for the help everyone who responded 😀

The research thing is that it's easier to get projects up and started because of the various DC facilities/labs.

Undergrad admissions and other decisions you will make as a high schooler are topics best discussed in HSDN. However that being said I personally would choose GMU.

 

[afob100]

Go to VCU. There are 100x more research opportunities at MCV compared to GMU.

Plus, you can apply for the Preferred Applicant track as you mentioned which is a HUGE advantage. It's not too difficult to get into the program as long as you study hard during your first 2 years. VCU is definitely a larger research institution than GMU (and probably Tech for that matter) just because it has a med school attached.

VCU is also exploding as an institution. When I came to VCU, it was a "3rd tier" university. It is now ranked 168 as you said...huge jump in 3-4 years. The school is opening new buildings literally every year...new Engineering and Business schools opened in 2008. New residence hall in 2009 + Cary gym in 2010. Another new residence hall is opening at the end of this year.

Trust me, it's worth it to have a "true" college experience by living on campus. Commuting would be a waste of college, especially since finances aren't a big deal for you since you have a full ride at both schools. Also, living in Richmond is pretty awesome compared to NOVA...Shockoe Bottom has legit bars/clubs and restaurants.

Overall, you would probably enjoy college/your life more at VCU. I'm a senior here and have had an awesome 4 years. Feel free to message me if you wanna know more about VCU.

 

[BigEast55]

Full-ride at VCU? Go there. Undergrad is undergrad, having no debt is paramount coming out of undergrad, you will get a lot in medical school, and you can be a star anywhere.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

...I'm a senior here and have had an awesome 4 years. Feel free to message me if you wanna know more about VCU.

I see that the selection bias is strong in you...

 

[the duck]

I havent head of either school, but dont' commute you wont have a social life.

 

[Doc of the Walk]

I havent head of either school, but dont' commute you wont have a social life.

Quote for f*cking truth. I commute to VCU now and my social life is very lacking. Luckily I'm getting an apartment next year

 

[Myuu]

Hey guys 😀

I'm an upcoming undergraduate in the state of Virginia. I have two options, but I can't seem to choose. I was wondering if you guys could help me out and tell me which one will prepare me, and make me look better, for medical school.

My two options are:

George Mason University
Virginia Commonwealth University

So with GMU the pro's are:
- I can commute
- My family goes there so I'm familiar with it
- It would be easy for me to do summer courses
- I have a full-ride to attend (& Room and Boad if I chose to live there)
- There's a larger scope for research
- Higher Ranked than VCU (146, while VCU is 168 nationally)

With VCU
- I also have been offered a full ride
- I would get to do some good research at MCV
- I would be able to apply to their GMED program during my second year
- I would be able to do some research at MCV


Basically, I see GMU as a better fit, but I don't think many people from GMU go to Medical schools.


Any input would be greatly appreciated !!!

I went to Mason. And I'd like to think I got into a pretty damn good medical school.👍

(I commuted too, which was convenient and all, but if you want to have a true undergraduate experience, either live on campus, or go to VCU. Granted, a lot of things have changed since I graduated...)

 

[sc4s2cg]

I commuted for my entire 4 years undergrad...true dat for no social life.

 

[nabeel76]

GMU also has two guaranteed admissions programs to med school, one to VCU and another to GW.


http://prehealth.gmu.edu/resources/documents/GOLD VCU Early Selection Info.pdf

http://prehealth.gmu.edu/applicants/sophomore/gwu.html

EDIT:

Here is the main link to those programs

http://prehealth.gmu.edu/applicants/sophomore/index.html

With the GW program you don't even have to take the MCAT

 

[terpskins10]

I vote GMU. But don't commute. I know Fairfax is a fortune to live in, but undergrad sucks socially if you still live with your parents.

/grew up in the DC area
//commuted to undergrad for a little while and hated it

 

[tr0gd0r]

I would say VCU, despite my dislike of Richmond (I also dislike Fairfax...probably more so 😛)...I"m from the area and I feel like the friends I have who went to VCU enjoyed college more than those who went to Mason (not to say that those who went to Mason didn't enjoy it...). Richmond is much more college-student-friendly than Fairfax...and dear gods commuting to and from school in Fairfax is going to be miserable, which I'm sure you know.

 

[thioacetal]

I would go to VCU because I wouldn't want to commute. Besides not having a social life you will waste a lot of time and energy commuting when you could be studying. And if you do want to go to GMU I wouldn't not choose it because you think a lot of its students don't matriculate to med school. I go to an undergraduate school that does not matriculate a lot of students to medical school and I still got in and I know a few other good students who did as well. It just matters how much effort you put into your classes and how well you do on the mcat. If you have excellent stats, the school doesn't matter that much--especially when you are choosing between VCU and GMU. Choose the school that you feel "fits". That's how I chose my undergraduate school. Also, I think smaller schools are awesome because you get to know your professors really well and have a good chance of getting really good letters of rec which is important. Good luck!