<p>Current medical student here. Science classes are great - what makes them particularly unusual is that the class sizes are capped. Instead of a 100 person intro bio class (you see this even at LACs), you get 15 people (they do this by simply having multiple sections of the same course taught by different professors). Your professors are your lab instructors. There are no TAs. I cannot express how important that part is. Not to mention that it is very easy to get in on research you just contact a professor who is doing something you are interested in and ask if they have a place for you in their lab. I cannot compare to other LACs, I didn’t go to them, but my experience in the sciences was great. Take a look at the URSI website for info on summer research opportunities: [Home</a> :: URSI](<a href=“http://ursi.vassar.edu/]Home”>http://ursi.vassar.edu/)</p>
<p>In terms of medical school - everyone i know currently in med school is somewhere great. I wouldn’t worry about what sort of med school you can get into from any particular college. Honestly, it doesn’t matter where you go - if you would rather go to your no name satellite state school and save money, go for it. And there is nothing to the idea that going to a big research university gets you anything extra in the med school admissions process. Med school admission is all about GPA, MCAT, and your extracurriculars. There is nothing magical about what college you go to that will get you into someplace better.</p>