How is Cornell pre-med or are there any better options

[MercerorCornell]

How is pre-med at Cornell or would an in-state option be better?

Thank you

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[TheDataKing]

Although I do not really want to change my mind, it is worth noting at this point that my rolling admissions state college (around 18k per year) would be the only other option other than Cornell.

I think it could be wise to at least check out your state school - saving money really helps and while undergrad prestige holds weight and can help you get into some medical schools, you can't get in if you don't succeed in the first place

. I will end up paying around 250k for my 4 years at Cornell and probably much more if I am to go to medical school after.

That's a lot of debt to take on before applying to medical school and paying for medical school

I am around 90% sure that I want to do pre-med

A lot can change in 4 years, that's a lot of debt to take on but it sounds like your mind is already made up. I'd think of it like this, at Cornell, you're going to be a small fish in a big pond - if you put in the leg work and get help early and often, you likely can and will do well. At a state school, you'd be a big fish in a small pond and might have a better chance at getting higher grades, being involved in research opportunities with less competition, etc., and not have $250,000 in debt from the get go. While the choice isn't mine to make, I would urge you to look at your state schools as many of them are actually excellent and saving money will save you headaches in the future.

 

[NileMasr21]

I currently go to an undergrad that's known to be heavy on grade deflation, and is also known as the place to not go to if you're pre-med. I was also in the same situation as you, where I had to decide between this institution and my local state college. I will say that something "more prestigious" institutions offer that you usually will not find in other colleges is the sophistication of career advising there; for example, my pre-med advisor knew exactly what I needed to do to balance out my weaker GPA and how to get me into medical school (it may or may not help that I applied MD/PhD). I was also in the same boat regarding tuition, but honestly the life experiences and opportunities I got to grow and build my resume/application are worth the tuition and I definitely wouldn't have gotten them in my state school.

I know I'm being a little vague, but feel free to DM for more info. At the end of the day its up to you to determine if the hard work at Cornell is worth it or not.

 

[little_giant]

Also attended an Ivy with averages in pre-med weedout courses in the B- range. Though I feel like my GPA could have been a little higher if I had gone to my state school and I may have gotten into a better med school I have absolutely no regrets in choosing the "tougher" school. So many great opportunities for research, so many people who are doing big things and have done big things (though I'm sure you can find this in other schools too), and if premed fails you have that school name to back you up in whatever else you choose to do. You don't see other schools producing so many Morgan Stanley or goldman analysts.

Also I let the tough competition become a positive thing. I see it as setting high standards so that in the future, you will always work hard and succeed.

 

[Int'lEng]

Well, I am a junior doing pre-med at Cornell. Here's some info:
1. Psychiatry. Cornell has the second oldest student-run counseling service, EARS, only one year younger than Stanford's The Bridge peer counseling. It's a counseling and training program and trains students who eventually become counselors that provide mental health support services for the campus.
2. Chemistry. Cornell's chemistry classes are rigorous and well-taught, speaking on behalf of Chem 2080, 3570, and 3580. There are some really amazing professors who can teach well, and if they are not the best, the TA's are just as amazing. This is generally true for other classes too, especially for bio perhaps - difficult material, but support is there to help you succeed. This might work in your favor in the end when you prepare for MCAT and even after you get into med school.
3. Competition. Pre-med students here are very collaborative. I personally haven't met a single gunner here.
4. Cornell has an amazing student body, in the sense that if you want to start doing something new, some exciting project as your extra-curriculum, you will most likely find people who are just as determined as you. This will be helpful if you want to do some impressive ECs.
5. The tier of your undergrad institution matters to med schools. (The original point was pretty controversial.)
[Original: If you're looking at top med schools (or maybe mid-tier and others), the prestige of your undergrad institution is just as important (if not more) as your GPA. (Rumor has it Ivy med schools favors Ivy students). If you choose to attend elsewhere than Cornell, you basically have rejected all the ivy med schools (although not saying that you will get in otherwise).]

The only downside I will add though, is that Cornell's labs are generally harder to get in for undergrads compared to other top schools. That's mostly because our number of labs per capita of undergrads is low. Also, Cornell doesn't have the most luxurious funding going into research when you consider the total number of students here (even though the total is higher than MIT and Yale). [Colleges Spending the Most on Research & Development]. However, I probably won't worry too much about that. The only reason I've experienced it is because I myself don't like the research labs at my major's department, but other department labs usually favor their students especially if their course of study is more aligned with their labs. I have a sense that bio majors will have a better time. But do ask a bio major on that.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

5. If you're looking at top med schools (or maybe mid-tier and others), the prestige of your undergrad institution is just as important (if not more) as your GPA. (Rumor has it Ivy med schools favors Ivy students). If you choose to attend elsewhere than Cornell, you basically have rejected all the ivy med schools (although not saying that you will get in otherwise).

C'mon son that's empirically incorrect.

 

[deleted480308]

Well, I am a junior doing pre-med at Cornell. Here's some info:
1. Psychiatry. Cornell has the second oldest student-run counseling service, EARS, only one year younger than Stanford's The Bridge peer counseling. It's a counseling and training program and trains students who eventually become counselors that provide mental health support services for the campus.
2. Chemistry. Cornell's chemistry classes are rigorous and well-taught, speaking on behalf of Chem 2080, 3570, and 3580. There are some really amazing professors who can teach well, and if they are not the best, the TA's are just as amazing. This is generally true for other classes too, especially for bio perhaps. Difficult material, but support is there to help you challenge yourself. This might work in your favor in the end when you prepare for MCAT and even after you get into med school.
3. Competition. Pre-med students here are very collaborative. I haven't met a single gunner here.
4. Cornell has an amazing student body, in the sense that if you want to start doing something new, some exciting project as your extra-curriculum, you will most likely find people who are just as determined as you. This will be helpful if you want to show the med school committee your leadership.
5. If you're looking at top med schools (or maybe mid-tier and others), the prestige of your undergrad institution is just as important (if not more) as your GPA. (Rumor has it Ivy med schools favors Ivy students). If you choose to attend elsewhere than Cornell, you basically have rejected all the ivy med schools (although not saying that you will get in otherwise).

The only downside I will add though, is that Cornell's labs are generally harder to get in for undergrads compared to other top schools. That's mostly because our number of labs per capita of undergrads is low. Also, Cornell doesn't have the most luxurious funding going into research when you consider the total number of students here (even though the total is higher than MIT and Yale). [Colleges Spending the Most on Research & Development]. However, I probably won't worry too much about that. The only reason I've experienced it is because I myself don't like the research labs at my major's department, but other department labs usually favor their students especially if their course of study is more aligned with their labs. I have a sense that bio majors will have a better time. But do ask a bio major on that.

Lastly, if you ever choose to attend Cornell, remember to do it at your own pace. Enjoy life in college. Enjoy the history, find something you enjoy doing other than academics, and have fun. Good luck!

5 is bull crap, sorry

 

[natlie132]

5 is bull crap, sorry

false, its the sad truth. Who u know and what undergrad you attended can make a big positive impact in med apps. Its not everything but it can definitely help

 

[deleted480308]

false, its the sad truth. Who u know and what undergrad you attended can make a big positive impact in med apps. Its not everything but it can definitely help

It is only the icing to your gpa/mcat cake. No one wants a feces cupcake regardless of how prestigious the icing is

 

[KnightDoc]

false, its the sad truth. Who u know and what undergrad you attended can make a big positive impact in med apps. Its not everything but it can definitely help

There's a huge difference between "it's not everything, but can definitely help," which no one would deny, and "the prestige of your undergrad institution is just as important (if not more) as your GPA," which is absolute BS, since it basically implies that prestige and who you know ARE everything.

If it were true, it would be impossible for anyone to be accepted to "top med schools (or maybe mid-tier and others)" who did not come from a prestigious UG, and, by definition, the average and median stats at these schools would be lower in order to account for the fact that the prestige of the UG is at least as important (if not more so) as stats.

 

[vrazzles]

false, its the sad truth. Who u know and what undergrad you attended can make a big positive impact in med apps. Its not everything but it can definitely help

I attended one of the lowest ranked public schools in the US and didn't do any networking.

I have acceptances to multiple top 10/20 schools.

Nobody asked or cared what my undergrad was - they were concerned with my stats and ECs.

 

[ducksau5]

I am a former Cornell graduate, went to a top 10 medical school and now am in a competitive residency. Yes Cornell can be difficult at times, but the grade deflation is overblown (you only need to take one calculus course and we have auto-tutorial physics which is actually a fairly easy A) and totally survivable if you build a solid work ethic. That being said, the academic rigor prepared me for my medical school experience and made the transition an extremely smooth one.

Also, people will say that name doesnt matter, but it definitely does give you a boost. All of my classmates who wanted to go to medical school ended up somewhere despite potentially lower GPAs than if they went to an easier school. Finally, the student body is incredibly diverse and fun so you will make lasting relationships and memories here that I wouldnt trade for the world. Could not recommend Cornell highly enough.

 

[natlie132]

I attended one of the lowest ranked public schools in the US and didn't do any networking.

I have acceptances to multiple top 10/20 schools.

Nobody asked or cared what my undergrad was - they were concerned with my stats and ECs.

key word is "can."

 

[Grapesurgery]

I attended one of the lowest ranked public schools in the US and didn't do any networking.

I have acceptances to multiple top 10/20 schools.

Nobody asked or cared what my undergrad was - they were concerned with my stats and ECs.

+1 Had the same experience this cycle. Had interviews at 16/17 schools as well, including the tippy top, so I would generally say my *gasp* public school education was not to my detriment. I graduated with ~10k in student debt and complain about the cost of higher ed to anyone who listens (this is a lot of money for me, I’m slowly working to pay off currently).
I honestly can’t fathom over 200k (or even 20-30k) to learn the same foundational level, intro-biology and chem course information taught absolutely everywhere in colleges. I would suggest save the debt for med school and excel whereever you can in undergrad. As a side note, another consideration is interest on student loans which will increase the cost quite a bit beyond 250k. However, you decide if the experience is important enough to for you to take this cost. I wish you the best of luck on your premed journey!

Also: I never knew pre med charts/rankings for undergrad were even a thing haha. I’m intrigued by this. The neuroticism starts early.

 

[A Ryan Seacrest Type]

Of course if you excel at any undergrad you can attend med school and top ones at that. However, your undergrad name can be a big help with getting acceptances if you’re generally not a superstar and that is a fact. I wouldn’t say you need a top undergrad name to get into med schools or top schools, but it makes it easier if you do, it allows you to be less perfect. Prestige begets prestige, as is with med school admissions, residency admissions and fellowships.

 

[CorgiLoaf]

I am a former Cornell graduate, went to a top 10 medical school and now am in a competitive residency. Yes Cornell can be difficult at times, but the grade deflation is overblown (you only need to take one calculus course and we have auto-tutorial physics which is actually a fairly easy A) and totally survivable if you build a solid work ethic. That being said, the academic rigor prepared me for my medical school experience and made the transition an extremely smooth one.

Also, people will say that name doesnt matter, but it definitely does give you a boost. All of my classmates who wanted to go to medical school ended up somewhere despite potentially lower GPAs than if they went to an easier school. Finally, the student body is incredibly diverse and fun so you will make lasting relationships and memories here that I wouldnt trade for the world. Could not recommend Cornell highly enough.

I also attended Cornell and can vouch that medical schools *seem* to forgive lower GPAs for students here. This sentiment has also been echoed by Health Career Advisors. If you look at the stats, in 2016, 76% of Cornellians with a GPA >3.4 matriculated, while in 2019, only 50.6% of all medical school applicants with >3.4 matriculated.

Yes, I know, the stats can't be compared too strictly, but a 50% increase is pretty significant. Is it worth the 250k though? I would argue no.

Cornell is great and all, but 250k is a lot of money, especially with a 6% compounding interest. You could go to a state school, take 100k and fund a stress-free lifestyle for all of undergrad while crushing your classes and the MCAT. Trust me, working part-time to buy groceries while studying for the MCAT is no fun.

 

[Int'lEng]

C'mon son that's empirically incorrect.

Do a dig on the undergrad institutions of say HMS admits. Okay maybe I was exaggerating the importance of undergrad prestige, but it can't be underplayed.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Do a dig on the undergrad institutions of say HMS admits. Okay maybe I was exaggerating the importance of undergrad prestige, but it can't be underplayed.

It is certainly important to an extent, but also students in that T25 undergrad bracket probably score higher on the MCAT/are used to grinding ECs, etc. This past cycle I interviewed at 2 T10s, including HMS, and while I didnt get in, my friend from the same undergrad (not a top 25 school) got into HMS. It's not impossible.

 

[Int'lEng]

It is certainly important to an extent, but also students in that T25 undergrad bracket probably score higher on the MCAT/are used to grinding ECs, etc. This past cycle I interviewed at 2 T10s, including HMS, and while I didnt get in, my friend from the same undergrad (not a top 25 school) got into HMS. It's not impossible.

Yeah I agree that it's possible to go to a top 10 from a non top 10 undegrad.

Honestly tho, if this post is about helping OP justify their choice for Cornell, I think it's totally valid and necessary to point out the factor of prestige. And I don't think it's a false statement to say the OP's choice to go to Cornell will give them a boost applying to top med schools in the future (assuming they do well at Cornell of course)

 

[Yhwach]

I have numerous points

1. Cornell is one of the harder ivies or elite institutions especially for pre-meds so just be prepared straight up for it. Don't be scared but understand the level of difficulty you might face.

2. That's a lot of money for undergrad. For perspective I will be paying a bit less for my medical school education compared to your undergrad education. If you think it's worth it totally do it. If not then don't go. I turned down a school I dreamed about for months due to the cost. It just wasn't worth it and the debt broke that illusion for me.

3. Undergrad prestige for medical school admissions is tricky. Your undergraduate school prestige itself matters very little outside of typically feeder schools. But one thing that is for certain is that most prestigious institutions have opportunities and connections that allow you to be involved in things or activities that could help you stand out in medical admissions especially in research. The ratio of resources to students can be more favorable in prestigious schools as well allowing you to really get involved in unique opportunities. I definitely seen first hand the diversity and breath of things you can do at a top school vs an average state school and it's definitely comes from a synergistic relationship between the caliber of students and large amount of resources top schools have.

Also anecdotally there were definitely way more people on the interview trail from brand name schools vs state schools when I interviewed at med schools.

Going into a prestigious undergrad isn't needed to get into med school or even a prestigious med school. It usually comes down to the raw stats then you fill in the blanks with ECs. A prestigious school could provide you with more interesting ECs but if you are ingenious enough you can do that in a state school.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Yeah I agree that it's possible to go to a top 10 from a non top 10 undegrad.

Honestly tho, if this post is about helping OP justify their choice for Cornell, I think it's totally valid and necessary to point out the factor of prestige. And I don't think it's a false statement to say the OP's choice to go to Cornell will give them a boost applying to top med schools in the future (assuming they do well at Cornell of course)

If you read my initial point, I took issue with "prestige being just as important as GPA", not that it doesnt have any effect.