Hi guys! I’m considering these schools for undergrad. I wanted your opinion outside of finances so I’m not listing finances although I would say that Grinnell and Baylor are the most expensive here.
I plan to do a bio/neuroscience major under a premed track in college. I really don’t mind any location, rural or big city. I’m looking for a community that will intellectually challenge me, that’s accepting, and diverse. I don’t really care too much about social life. I’m more focused on academics.
I heard a lot of Grinnell on CC, but nobody I know heard about it before and that made my family have some reservations. What’s your opinion on that?
If considered by student profile (standardized testing scores, e.g.), Grinnell resides with an elite class of colleges that may not be familiar to the general public:
If finances and city life are not to be considered, then I would recommend Baylor (I’m biased). They have a nice neuro major and a good premed success rate. Lots of support for premed students: Clinical and research opportunities are available. School isn’t too big or crowded. Kind of in between rural and urban. Plus it is an up and coming college based on how much it has changed in the last few years.
Grinnell has a very very good reputation with graduate schools and professional schools. A Grinnell degree will help with medical school. Our daughter was recently accepted to medical school and her top 20 LAC school degree helped.
LAC are built to educate student for higher degrees. If that is the goal and you do the rigorous programs you will find further education comes more easily. Maybe think Grinnell for under-grad and apply to Baylors top rated medical school?
Though I’m biased, I agree with @bthomas3333 . I’m a third year at Grinnell right now and feel like I’ll exit Grinnell with a great reputation as the wind beneath my wings. I know many a Grinnell student who has successfully applied to medical school and I like to think the rigorous academics helped with that. I know you mentioned not caring about social life, but I’d like to plug that I love the Grinnell scene and would hope that you would engage with the community by joining a club, volunteering in town, or acting in a play. Our academics can be stressful and our community is how we celebrate our learning. Please don’t come to Grinnell and just stay in your room studying all day and night.