undergrad oppurtunities

[chill e dawg]

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First of all I'm still in high school and graduating in two weeks 😀 , but I'm still having trouble deciding between going to two schools: University of Washington v. Williams College.

I'm young, so I obviously I have a lot of time before I realize what I am really interested in. But, I have routinely volunteered at the UW medical center, and have worked with a lab group at the UW with research in pharmacology/opioids (I've lived in Seattle all my life). I worked with my mentor, and I quite drawn to medical research... and so I want a school that will offer me the best oppurtunity for mstp prep. Its a career path I'm interested in. My mentor has told me a lot about it, and she has encouraged me to start from the get go if I am really interested.

UW has many departments which I could become involved with research, and also the UWMC which I can routinely volunteer at. Williams in the other hand, doesn't. But in the other hand, UW is HUGE and I really like the smaller environment of Williams. I also know I still have all the oppurtunities of getting research done at Williams as well; but the fact that it is a small liberal arts college mean that it won't have as good of research oppurtunities as a university? Comparing the actual institutions... do you think one is looked more highly upon by med school admissions?

So, just wondering what people think? In terms of prepping me with research and for md/phd admissions, what school do you think would take the upper hand? I know both are great places to go, and I don't want to sound too anal for thinking this far ahead... but hey, im interested in doing research, so it will be a major part of my decision. thanx.

 

[Newquagmire]

it's not like boston is devoid of good medical research centers. nobody ever said you had to do your research (in whatever subject) at your home institution.

 

[tiger160]

You are way too early in the process to make an undergrad decision based on what you think you may be interested in 4 years hence. And face it - you can do research at Williams or UW, although Williams would not have a medical school. I think Williams would be a much more supportive place to do an undergrad, an if you do well there, publish a few times, and do a summer or two elsewhere, you will be equally or more well prepared as staying at UW. Plus, you will have the chance to explore other opportunities at the liberal arts Williams then you would have at a big school like UW.

 

[nothingman]

I would just second what the previous poster said. I think as far as medical school preparation goes, you would get an equally good education at either location, and I know for a fact that people from both schools get into excellent MSTP's or medical schools or whatever else.

I would also agree that Williams MAY be a more supportive environment to start out doing research in. I'm speaking from experience - I started research work at a relatively small, undergrad-oriented institution, and at least for myself personally, the amount of support I (and everyone else) got from the other profs and the department admin was fantastic and made a big difference in my desire to stay in a science field. This is not to say that it's not possible at UW, but just be careful with the sort of lab that you choose. Slipping through the cracks may be a bit more likely there. I see undergrad research as more of a time to get acquainted with science, see if you like the environment, and get lots and lots of hands-on training on what you're doing. For the purposes of MSTP, as long as you work relatively hard and have a good attitude, that will get you a good letter from your PI, which is one of the keys to a good program. Publications, while helpful, are not at all required, since there are many reasons why undergrads may or may not publish (luck being one of them) - programs know that.

On the other hand though, consider location... again, I'm biased, a pacific northwest-er starting 6th year out east with many more to go, and I sure miss it at times. Seattle's a wonderful city if you like the northwest life, and Boston will be very different (though not necessarily worse... but snowy and very cold in the winter... and quite hot in the summer). Very different people and attitudes to life and work as well.

Given the strength of these schools I would just go with your gut feeling... small school vs big school, nortwest vs northeast. You can go to great med schools from either one, and I wouldn't let that particular thought be much of a factor.

Good luck!