I'm a High School Junior and have me eyes set on a career in medicine. Georgetown is definitely one of the universities I'd love to attend.
Does anyone know what pre-med at Georgetown is like? Is it harder, easier, than other universities of GU's standards/prestige? Also what about grade inflation/defaltion, what classes are like, and if it is hard to maintain a high (>3.7 GPA)?
I highly recommend premed at Georgetown. There are roughly 100-120 premeds per class that eventually apply to medical school (not the 300+ at Hopkins, Duke, etc.), and the weeding out process occurs BEFORE you get to Georgetown with the undergraduate admissions process (you indicate that you are applying premed on your application to the school--there is a separate admissions committee for prospective premedical students, unlike at other schools which admit and enroll WAY MORE premedical students than will eventually be able to apply and then weed them out with freshman chemistry, organic chemistry, etc.). The atmosphere at Georgetown is far more collaborative and congenial than at its peer schools for premeds. Additionally, the acceptance rate to medical school is extremely high (grade deflation/inflation is a non-issue at Georgetown, and medical schools look very favorably on Georgetown undergrads), and Georgetown medical school loves to admit Georgetown undergrads (which is great--many Georgetown undergrad. premeds use Georgetown med. as their back-up). Having the medical school and hospital right on campus makes it very easy to have volunteer and research experiences, and many undergrads. with strong interest in medical research will also take advantage of opportunities at the National Institute of Health (NIH). I transferred to Georgetown from Duke as a premed, and I can tell you without question that the Georgetown experience was much more rewarding and enjoyable. I went on to attend Hopkins for medical school, and my preparation from Georgetown has been invaluable.
Also, with the opening this coming academic year of the new science center, Georgetown's undergraduate facilities in the hard sciences will finally match the high caliber of the students, faculty, and programs (including premedicine)--I think there will be no better place to be than Georgetown for premedical studies.
Medman - Your response was very insightful to me. D has applied to Georgetown and is her first choice. She has already been admitted into UT Austin. But your response validated my thoughts that Georgetown will be a better choice for her - especially considering the cost differential. Does the opening of new Science Center mean they will admit more premed students this year?
No plans are in place to increase the enrollment of any programs at Georgetown except for the continuing education programs (Georgetown is planning now for the development of a site in downtown DC to expand professional continuing education programs). I think you D will be making the right decision if she chooses Georgetown for premed! The advising is top-notch, the preparation is incredible, the opportunities endless, and the atmosphere can't be beat!
I visited Georgetown this past weekend, and the campus is amazing! You should know that GTown doesn't actually offer a pre-med major at either the college or the nursing school. However, they do have biochem and biology with neurological concentrations and the like. One awesome thing they mentioned was that you can apply to the med school as a sophomore in undergrad, and thus wouldn't have to take the MCATs. However, they also said that was binding....
Most schools (especially top institutions) do not have a "premed major"--in fact, a "premed" program is simply a collection of courses required for medical school (2 semesters of general chemistry, 2 semesters of organic chemistry, 2 semesters of physics, 2 semesters of biology (all of those with lab), 2 semesters of calculus/statistics; some medical schools also require English/writing course(s) and some require Biochemistry). The Early Assurance Program at Georgetown is a great opportunity to have an admissions offer from Georgetown Med by the end of your sophomore year--it is NOT binding, however--but you are correct about the MCAT--if admitted, you do NOT have to take the MCAT (part of the appeal and purpose of the program--it allows for you to do other significant things rather than prepare for the MCAT). Of course, if you still wish to apply to other med. schools, you do need to take the MCAT.
And yes, the Georgetown campus and location are absolutely AMAZING!!!!!
I had heard that for the class of 2016 all EAs that had Pre-Med checked in their application were deferred to RD. Wonder if that is true. Any EAs accepted with Pre-Med checked in your application?
Medman - are those two semesters of Biology / Physics / Chemistry / Calculus similar to AP Chem / Bio / Physics B / Calculus AB? D has already completed AP Bio and AP Calculus AB (both 5)....She is taking AP Chem / Physics B right now. I am recommending that she take these classes again in college. I do not not think that high school APs go into enough depth as college would. In doing such, she will at least be exposed to college level material. I am not too much into getting "credits" for AP classes - as I am in making sure that fundamentals are sound.
A premed student still needs to take the required medical school prerequisites in college.
Your daughter's AP classes would probably allow her to take honors sections rather than the regular sections of the introductory courses. Alternatively (although I think risky for a premed student), would be to take the intermediate level courses instead of the intro courses in a college environment.
212DAD - Thanks....exactly what I was looking for. I would still prefer that she take the introductory level (perhaps honors sections). As I tell her, "What's the hurry?"
Most medical schools will accept AP credits in meeting the premedical course requirements; however, they will subsequently look to see how an applicant performs in higher-level science courses. I strongly recommend that premedical students consider taking the introductory chemistry, biology, and physics courses, regardless of their AP credit, unless they are going to pursue a major in one of those areas--the courses will help prepare you for the MCAT, the laboratory portions of these courses are often invaluable and cover topics and techniques that are not necessarily part of high school (AP) courses, and a strong AP background will help insure strong performance in these courses.
In terms of freshman applicants who applied premed and early action, there are definitely numerous individuals who have been admitted--not all of the applicants were deferred--that is a false (and bizarre) rumor.
Medman - much to my daughter's chagrin, I have asked her to take the said courses again. I tutored her in Chemistry and Physics and found that the high school was not necessarily the right place to learn these classes in depth. At this stage in their lives, they are too distracted with other aspects - such as college admissions, etc. Their labs are woefully inadequate. They may score a 5 on AP test - but that's not the point. Long term success is what matters.
