Harvard over Yale and Stanford premed - please help

HarvardParent
Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:14:27 +0000

Neither Harvard nor Yale have a specifically designed pre-med track or major (or concentration ;-)). So pre-med students typically pick a biology major (or concentration). The difference is that students typically sign up four courses per semister at Harvard and one has to sign up for 5 courses at Yale for half of those semisters. The end results are 1) Yale students have less time for fun (if they are ever so inclined :-)); 2) it is easier to take the MCAT by the end of Junior year. A Harvard student has to be extremely careful and focused to cover all subjects for MCAT by the end of Junior year. However, there is such a thing called summer school at Harvard, so if one has falled behind, he or she can catch up in the summer in order to take the MCAT by the end of Junior year. Another option is to take the MCAT by the end of senior year and get a job on wall street for a year to help to pay the medical school bills.
However, these are not really important factors which should decide where you want to matriculate. For those lucky ones who have this wonderful choice between Harvard and Yale, you should plan to spend the week for both Visitas and Bulldog’s days. In addition to the propaganda sessesions scheduled by the adcom, try to find some time to go to a few real classes. Once you have the first hand experience at both campuses, then decide which fit you better.