I plan on studying chemistry in the fall and I am choosing between the University of British Columbia and The University of Pittsburgh, in the honors college. I plan on pursuing grad school in chemistry or med school.
UBC has a program called the international three-two program in chemistry, where I would earn a master’s degree in chemistry from a European University as well as a bachelor’s from UBC.
I also want to pursue music. I am a violinist but as I am not a very high level, I believe I will not have as many opportunities at a competitive program such as UBC.
Both Vancouver and Pittsburgh are gorgeous cities but I like how Vancouver is surrounded in nature as I am a hiking and astronomy/astrophotography enthusiast so the non-light polluted area around Vancouver would be perfect for that. Pitt, however, is nowhere near many forests.
Pitt also has excellent pre-medical advising whereas UBC does not. UBC has a gorgeous campus with beyond amazing on-campus housing but the academic buildings at Pitt are also quite beautiful.
I am from Massachusetts so if I went to UBC, it would be unlikely I would get home very often whereas Pitt is much closer and going there would allow me to go home more often.
UBC seems to have more international acclaim than Pitt. The research being done at UBC is extremely impressive but being in Pitt honors will give me the chance to do serious research early on.
I see all the pros and cons of the schools that I can. Because of COVID-19, I am unable to visit the schools so, at this point, I am looking to people for their opinions. I am looking for those who have made a similar decision in the past, who know about the schools, and could offer me any bit of insight to help me make my decision.