Hey everyone, I’ve been accepted to Northeastern University (NEU), Rutgers Honors College, Binghamton, and University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), and I’m stuck deciding between them. I’m considering pre-med but might change my mind later, so I want a school that offers flexibility.
Here’s the thing – I’m from NY, so Binghamton is in-state, but I’m curious: if money wasn’t a deciding factor, what school would you choose for pre-med?
For NEU, I’m in the London Scholars Program, which could be a great opportunity if I go there, but I would have to spend my first year abroad.
I don’t have anyone in my family to guide me on the pre-med track, so I’m looking for schools with strong advising and support for pre-med students.
I’m looking for:
Academics: Which of these schools has the best pre-med program and the highest chance of helping me get into medical school?
College Advising: Which school has the best advising system for pre-med students?
Campus Life: I want a school with a good balance of academics and social life. Which school has the best overall experience?
Opportunities: What kind of research, internships, and volunteering options do these schools offer for pre-med students?
What schools are comfortably affordable to your family (no hardship, no or minimal loans)? What environment do you prefer?
Offhand, Binghamton in-state sounds like a fantastic option. Paging @Lindagaf. ETA: I’d also take a deep dive into the benefits of the honors program at Rutgers. For me, Northeastern would be a pass due to the first year abroad. Pitt is a great school but I’d want to visit before committing.
Honestly, these are all excellent schools and will come down to personal preference.
The school will not get you into medical school (or any other program). That’s on you.
Pitt might have more opportunities in the area, and Rutgers has a lot going on as well as hospitals in the immediate area etc……but that doesn’t mean you can’t find opportunities at Binghamton (which is an excellent school).
Hopefully the visits will help. Keep in mind that medical school is very expensive, and if you change paths and end up in another field- those programs are also expensive.
The best one for pre med (which isn’t a major) is the one where you feel best, where you’ll be happiest.
You can go abroad from any school. Do you want to go your first year ?
If I was pre med, I would eliminate NU first. If I was pre professional (business, journalism) maybe not but pre med I wouldn’t go. I also wouldn’t consider anywhere that I wasn’t admitted to main campus - but that’s me.
Rutgers, Pitt or Bing are all different - all great - which is great for you. All will be equal in your questions and you will be what impacts those.
I would put medical school on the shelf for now. A lot can happen over the next few years (interests change etc) and most students take time off between college and medical school to work, volunteer, take the mcats etc.
I would pay attention to finances. As noted, medical school is expensive and a degree in neuroscience will require some kind of graduate degree if you decide against medical school. If you attend Binghamton will your family be able to help? What about Pitt and Rutgers?
Given you are not able to visit Pitt, I would try and contact neuroscience students and talk to them about their experiences. I would also contact profs and ask about research etc.
I would do the same when you visit Rutgers and Bing. See if one school speaks to you more, speak with students, ask about research etc.
Personally, I would remove Northeastern due to spending the first year abroad.
Rutgers honors is a very competitive program, congratulations. We have two Rutgers grads but the business program. Lots of medical opportunities right there.
Binghamton also has the FYI (First Year Immersion) program for research which could be great experience for pre-med/pre-health/pre-STEM career (also might learn you don’t want to do research!): https://www.binghamton.edu/first-year-research-immersion/index.html
My son goes to NEU and is pre-med (but flexible) - went abroad for NU.in and loved it (Spain) - now locked in and enjoying Boston. we are from NJ and Rutgers honors is highly esteemed. as an MD myself, i would encourage you to choose a school which has good exposure to hospitals and research if you want to be premed so i think all your choices can fit that (although i don’t know where Binghamton students get clinical exposure off the top of my head). you really can’t go wrong with any of your choices except to waste $ where you don’t need to (which is a good thing for you!)