Should I transfer to Binghamton, Buffalo, Albany, or Cornell for undergrad?

[mh2002ny]

I will be transferring undergrad schools for this fall and I don't know which one to choose. The state schools seem cool, but it's hard to pick with an Ivy in the mix. I want to do well, I have a 4.0 so far, and I think I can keep it up, but how hard is Cornell? Is it really that hard to keep up a 4.0 there? I am fairly confident that I can do it, since I started college when I was very young (16) and did very well, but when I look around this board it gets me nervous when I read some of the stuff about Cornell. The state schools are cheaper and seem like a lot of fun (especially Buffalo and Albany) but does an Ivy really make so much of a difference when applying to med school and beyond? I know that grades matter but still. Also, would going to an Ivy affect what happens when residency match time comes around? I might be interested in neurosurgery or ortho (both involve spinal) and I hear that ortho takes the cream of the crop. So if I have a 4.0 and do real well in med school having the backing of an Ivy might really make the difference when applying for residency and then spinal fellowship. I will also play a sport since ortho seems to like athletes, and all of these schools have teams but which school's teams from the ones I'm deciding between would ortho PD's favor mostly? (Best stats and stuff). Also, I just turned 17 last month and will be starting as a sophomore this fall, so I will be filing amcas when I am 18 and interviewing when I'm 19. Does anyone know which of these schools has a lot of younger premeds who often get into med school?

I really am having trouble deciding which school to choose and the candle is burning down quickly. Fall will be here soon!!!! Arghhhhhh!!! Please help me decide. Thanks.

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[idq1i]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
.........Also, would going to an Ivy affect what happens when residency match time comes around? I might be interested in neurosurgery or ortho (both involve spinal) and I hear that ortho takes the cream of the crop. So if I have a 4.0 and do real well in med school having the backing of an Ivy might really make the difference when applying for residency and then spinal fellowship. I will also play a sport since ortho seems to like athletes, and all ........

One step at a time! An Ivy undergrad isn't going to get you into a good residency. That's what medical schools are for.

As for SUNY v. Ivy, what about finances? Is that a concern?

I went to binghamton, and I think I got a good education for a bargain price. The course selection certainly wasn't as large, and the facilities weren't as good. However, if you plan your semesters well, you can take all the good classes with the right professors.

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by idq1i
One step at a time! An Ivy undergrad isn't going to get you into a good residency. That's what medical schools are for.

As for SUNY v. Ivy, what about finances? Is that a concern?

I went to binghamton, and I think I got a good education for a bargain price. The course selection certainly wasn't as large, and the facilities weren't as good. However, if you plan your semesters well, you can take all the good classes with the right professors.

Finances aren't really a concern, but I want the choice that will give me the best chances of getting into med school.

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by oldking
My man, calm down, please!!!!!

I don't even know where to start...

First of all, the undergraduate education at Cornell is tough, but it is not nearly as competative as a medical school, or the pool of strong applicants for a residency in neurosurgery. If you are afraid of Cornell undergrad, then you should be scared to death of a surgical residency. It's really not that bad - I had a 3.89 at the University of Rochester and transferred to Cornell, where I graduated with a 3.92. You'll do fine.

Residency programs will not care at all what undergrad you went to, but medical schools will (to some extent), so in a relatively indirect way an ivy could help you, but it's not a big deal.

Play a sport if you enjoy it, not to get into a residency program 5 years later!

Finally, for the love of God, relax and enjoy your youth. You're probably younger than anybody else at your level - try to relax, you have the rest of your life to worry.

Then Cornell may be the best choice, since then I would have the best shot at a top 10 med school and ultimately the best shot at a competative residency program. I think that I could handle the academics at Cornell, just from some of the posts on here it seems a little intense. But I think I could still do very well.

And I like all sports, so which one would ortho PD's look at most favorably? Thanks.

 

[idq1i]

Ivy should give you the best chance for the best medschools, even if it may not give the best education. There is plenty of snobbery at medical admissions offices.

As for Cornell and grades, think Cornell = grade inflation+++++

Don't thet have an A+?

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by idq1i
Ivy should give you the best chance for the best medschools, even if it may not give the best education. There is plenty of snobbery at medical admissions offices.

As for Cornell and grades, think Cornell = grade inflation+++++

Don't thet have an A+?

Could A+'s push a gpa over 4.0?

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
......

And I like all sports, so which one would ortho PD's look at most favorably? Thanks.

PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! Tell me you are kidding

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by idq1i
PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! Tell me you are kidding

No seriously, if I like 99% of sports, why not play the one that will benefit me most in the long run?

 

[zzeyfzz]

yeah, cornell gives a 4.3 for an a+. my school gave a+'s too, but they counted as a 4.0 just like a's.

 

[idq1i]

There are no sport that will benefit a certain medical career track. Stop trying to taylor your life around the MCAT, GPA, reputations. Just be yourself. If your GPA is 4.0, you obviously have the ability to do well. Just continue at this pace, and "YOUR CANDLE ISN"T BURNING DOWN QUICKLY"

What school are you transferring from, btw?

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by zzeyfzz
yeah, cornell gives a 4.3 for an a+. my school gave a+'s too, but they counted as a 4.0 just like a's.

That's awesome, and I bet that even though they count it as a 4.0, the adcoms recognize that the applicant did very well and therefore give him/her extra consideration. That system seems great.

 

[zzeyfzz]

this is crazy.

 

[zzeyfzz]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
That's awesome, and I bet that even though they count it as a 4.0, the adcoms recognize that the applicant did very well and therefore give him/her extra consideration. That system seems great.

is that sarcasm? an a+ is getting a 98% in a class which is great, but it doesn't really mean anything. and yeah, grade inflation exists . . . but it's not in science classes.

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by idq1i
There are no sport that will benefit a certain medical career track. Stop trying to taylor your life around the MCAT, GPA, reputations. Just be yourself. If your GPA is 4.0, you obviously have the ability to do well. Just continue at this pace, and "YOUR CANDLE ISN"T BURNING DOWN QUICKLY"

What school are you transferring from, btw?

It's a CC, but I had no other option to rebuild my academic career considering my past. I was faced with the option of completing high school with a 2.0-2.2 and going to a CC or podunk school or leaving early and rebuilding my record early so that I can transfer into a better school. I made some mistakes in hs but I fixed them very early. In CC I took all difficult classes (relatively I guess) and have accumulated 28 credits. My record from before hs has always been perfect and now it continues to be perfect, but I have to make up for my mistakes in hs by doing extra well in college now.

 

[draven72981]

when did you graduate from binghamton, I graduated this yr

 

[zzeyfzz]

community college is a lot different from the schools you're transferring to. it could definitely turn out harder than you think it would. did you find high school difficult?

 

[mh2002ny]

I also scored 1600 on my SAT's this spring.

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by zzeyfzz
community college is a lot different from the schools you're transferring to. it could definitely turn out harder than you think it would. did you find high school difficult?

High school wasn't difficult at all, but I was just into the wrong things.

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by draven72981
when did you graduate from binghamton, I graduated this yr

Did you know anyone who got into top 10 med schools from your class?

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by draven72981
when did you graduate from binghamton, I graduated this yr

2001, with a BS in b/c
2002, left after a year working on MS

 

[Hallm_7]

what's gonna help you the most is to quit worrying about this stuff. if you go into your interviews with the attitude that you'll do something just b/c it improves your resume, then you can kiss admission goodbye.

 

[mh2002ny]

I think that my worries can be rationalized. I need to increase my chances as much as possible since I want to get into a top 10 school and a top residency program in a competative specialty. I don't want to let what I did in high school ruin my entire life.

 

[zzeyfzz]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
I also scored 1600 on my SAT's this spring.

impressive. if you go to cornell and manage to keep a 4.0, you're on the track to a great med school. but if you go to one of the sunys, it might be easier to do well, and if you graduate at the top of your class, you can get into a great med school. but thinking far ahead into residency is too much. get into med school first.

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
Did you know anyone who got into top 10 med schools from your class?

All but #1 (harvard)

 

[MedicationWorks]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
That's awesome, and I bet that even though they count it as a 4.0, the adcoms recognize that the applicant did very well and therefore give him/her extra consideration. That system seems great.

Ever consider the statutory colleges at Cornell such as A&LS? It is SUNY tuition and the same biology program as A&S. But be warned, an B+ at Cornell is like an A Harvard. Cornell does not 'grade inflate.' They are very proud of their reputation as being a non-inflating ivy.

The bear is an appropriate mascot, bc if you slack it will eat you alive. 😉 Personally, I think you might be happier at one of the SUNYs. Very very few make it out of Cornell with a 4.0 in biology.

PS: One nice perk is you get to keep your Cornell email address forever... and they have a nice alumni network.

 

[mh2002ny]

I think that I can manage a 4.0 at either of the schools (I hope) but it's still a tough decision. While some of the SUNY's seem pretty impressive, Cornell is still an Ivy.

 

[idq1i]

Just a piece of advice...

It is a bit arrogant and shallow to claim that with having taken one single class.

This is not a flame. I personally don't care, but it may be insulting to people doing undergrad at cornell right now

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by idq1i
Just a piece of advice...

It is a bit arrogant and shallow to claim that with having taken one single class.

This is not a flame. I personally don't care, but it may be insulting to people doing undergrad at cornell right now

No insult intended. I still might end up at either one of these schools and I'm not trying to diss my future alma mater.

 

[MedicationWorks]

Originally posted by idq1i
Just a piece of advice...

It is a bit arrogant and shallow to claim that with having taken one single class.

This is not a flame. I personally don't care, but it may be insulting to people doing undergrad at cornell right now

Hehe. I'm certain they aren't offended. I used to think like him prior to attending one. Unfortunately, those schools are pretty good at teaching humility. Live and learn I guess? 🙁

 

[drakkan2001]

I personal think that you should try out for some other school like Harvard/Yale/MIT/Stanford etc... Cornell is a great school but from what I've read about you, it seems that you can do much better at a more difficult/prestigious institution. If what you really want to do is gain acceptance at a top 10 medical school then Cornell will definitely not be a good place to go. As a Cornellian, I don't think many students from my school get into many top 10 medical schools, even to Cornell med itself! But if you really DO want to go to Cornell be prepared for the hardest 3 years of your academic life (besides med school and residency). Pulling a 4.0 is not easy because you're basically facing crazy ultra-competitive students who don't a $hit about anyone else. I know because I'm there. So choose your school carefully.

P.S. Yes we do have a A+=4.3 and it only goes to the top 1% of every class. Yeah it sucks but I don't personal care as long as I get my A.🙂

 

[rCubed]

just wondering, but any reason ur not considering SUNY stony brook. its a pretty good science school

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by drakkan2001
I personal think that you should try out for some other school like Harvard/Yale/MIT/Stanford etc... Cornell is a great school but from what I've read about you, it seems that you can do much better at a more difficult/prestigious institution. If what you really want to do is gain acceptance at a top 10 medical school then Cornell will definitely not be a good place to go. As a Cornellian, I don't think many students from my school get into many top 10 medical schools, even to Cornell med itself! But if you really DO want to go to Cornell be prepared for the hardest 3 years of your academic life (besides med school and residency). Pulling a 4.0 is not easy because you're basically facing crazy ultra-competitive students who don't a $hit about anyone else. I know because I'm there. So choose your school carefully.

P.S. Yes we do have a A+=4.3 and it only goes to the top 1% of every class. Yeah it sucks but I don't personal care as long as I get my A.🙂

I might have a shot at some of those schools, but it's too late since I'm deciding for the fall and I would have to spend another semester in my current school if I applied to any of them. I think I'm prepared for a difficult 3 years, and I'm willing to put everything into it. I don't care if I have to study all the time, I'm ready for it. Also, that A+ system really sounds awesome.

 

[mh2002ny]

Originally posted by rCubed
just wondering, but any reason ur not considering SUNY stony brook. its a pretty good science school

I was considering to apply to SUNY Stony Brook but I decided to limit my SUNY applications to only 3. I have a friend who is currently attending SB and he likes it.