Okay so I recently was accepted into Syracuse honors for biology as well as Baylor for biology. I intend to pursue the premed track so which undergrad would provide the best chance at future med school admission? When accounting for scholarships, both end up near the same price.
Bump. I know there is an early assurance program at Syracuse but is Baylor better for getting to med school?
I would pick Baylor. Both Baylor and Syracuse appear to be the same size–with 14,000 plus undergraduate students. Yet on the American Association of Medical Colleges list of undergraduate institutions supplying more than 100 applicants to medical school, Baylor is on the list and provides 306 applicants while Syracuse is not on the list, meaning that it does not provide more than 100 applicants. You can take from this what you want, but to me it seems that there are 3X more medical school applicants from Baylor than Syracuse and both schools are the same size. This could be at least one indicia of how good the pre-medical undergraduate program is at that school. checkout https://www.aamc.org/download/321458/data/factstablea2-7.pdf On the other hand, Syracuse recently built a new science building so this is a sign that they are trying to buidl their pre-med program. Bottom line–if you love Syracuse and are committed to going to med school, it is up to you (your gpa, MCAT, med-related extra-curriculars) more than the school you attend. The State University of New York (SUNY) upstate medical center is located in Syracuse next to the University, so there likely will be opportunities to shadow or intern in the hospital if you are a pre-med. Best of luck!
Have you visited both schools?
Thanks for the input!
Bump?
I would pick Baylor based on Syracuse weather alone. It is awful and this comes from someone who has always lied in the Northeast. Syracuse is isn’t a very nice city either. I also think the kind of people you’d find at Baylor and Waco would be friendly and sincere. Obviously one can be successful coming from any school so it really comes down to personal fit.
What will give you the best chance at getting into med school is to submit an application that is strong in all respects (eg high GPAs and MCAT, ECs that show you have characteristics med schools expect to see (eg, leadership, altruism, compassion, etc), strong LoRs/ committee letter (both schools offer one), PS that thoughtfully articulates why you are pursuing medicine, and then, if offered an interview, don’t blow the interview. Both schools will offer you the opportunities and resources to become a successful med school applicant. Whether you take advantage of what each school offers and produce a competitive application will be more on your efforts, less on the college attended.
Since cost doesn’t appear to be issue, where do you think you’ll fit in best as if you’re happy you’re more likely to do well. What was it about these schools that attracted you? Also, doesn’t Baylor have a religious bent to it? Is that a positive/negative for you? (I don’t need an answer). Good luck.