<p>Hey everyone.
I’m trying to make my final college decision, but I keep arriving at a standstill. So now, I’m looking for some advice.</p>
<p>So far, I’ve been able to narrow my choices down to UGA, GA Tech, Furman, and Davidson.
I know that I want to major in Biology (not in preparation for Pre-Med, but for genetic research), but I’m not sure which school would be best suited for my academic needs.</p>
<p>Academics are extremely important to me: I’m completely aware of Georgia’s top-notch genetics program, Tech’s scientific reputation, and the valueable education that the last two provide. However, in addition to academic stature, I’m also looking for where I may recieve the true college experience.</p>
<p>UGA would have been my first choice, had I gotten into the Honors Program, but unfortunately this didn’t happen. And although, (should I go) I’d reapply for Honors, I don’t want to attend Georgia under the assumption that I will get into the program, and then be rejected again.</p>
<p>That being the case, I guess my question is this: For what I want (Education, most prominantly, and then the experience) am I better off going to Georgia and doing my best to get into the Honors program, or should I look to Tech, Furman, and Davidson where I know I will get a great education without being in an honors program?</p>
<p>I don’t know Furman or Davidson at all, but I thought I’d just say…</p>
<p>I don’t think applying to the Honors program during your freshman year is that difficult. You just have to maintain a 3.75. There might be some other requirements, but that’s the biggest one. I think you can get a great education at UGA without the Honors program. I didn’t get in until after my 2nd semester, and even still, I’ve only taken two actual Honors classes. </p>
<p>By the way, UGA has a genetics major (the other schools might too). If you’re interested in genetics research, I would do that and maybe even double major in something else instead of majoring in Biology (many of the genetics majors I know double major in biochemistry). Many of the classes required of biology majors aren’t geared towards genetics.</p>
<p>Did you find it difficult to join the Honors Program when you did? Or are most people that apply later admitted relatively easily?</p>
<p>But yeah, I know UGA is one of two universities that offer genetics as an actual major, not to mention the fact that they have a great program for it; so thats certainly something to consider.</p>
<p>And would you happen to know what the chances would be for an undergraduate (perhaps even a freshman) to find research opportunities on campus?</p>
<p>That lists some of the available positions (or at least those who let the honors program know). If you see “yes” next to “CURO-AP,” then that means the lab is probably okay with taking in freshman. However, some of them also have class requirements, so you’ll have to watch out for that. </p>
<p>Or, you could circumvent the Honors program all together, go to the department websites, look up research staff, see which labs look interesting, and email the person with your name, interests, etc. If you’re looking to start this fall, I would do this NOW or at least as soon as you decide you want to go to UGA. Also, if you major in something like genetics, you can talk to the advisor and ask how you can get into a lab because working in a lab can get you class credit for your major.</p>
<p>Davidson is by far the best academic school of these four. The other three aren’t even in Davidson’s league. Davidson is consistently a top 10 LAC, considered equivalent to or just slightly below schools like Williams, Swarthmore and Pomona. As far as research goes, I know there are good options at Davidson, but they probably don’t quite match those offered at a state school like UGA. But if it comes down to Furman and Davidson, I don’t think it’s even a question, unless academic prestige and status is not a factor.</p>
<p>jenmarie:
Thank you so much, thats very reassuring. I’ll have to double check on the CURO program, though; from what I had seen, I was under the impression that the opportunities were only available for the Honors students, but if you’re right (which would be great), it could open a lot of possibilites for me.
And I like the idea of going straight into research. I’ll have to check that out as well.
I have another question for you, though, if you don’t mind. I went to Athens recently and toured the campus. My guide was a student in Honors, and she said that (though its a big secret) students who are not in Honors can still take Honors courses. But then when I called the department, the person I talked to told me this wasn’t possible. Do you know anything about that?</p>
<p>BigBlue:
I could not agree with you more on that. Without a doubt, Davidson is above the rest as far as academic prestige. And not only did I love this factor about the school, I loved Davidson itself: the size, the campus, the dorms, all of it.
But research is very important to me.
Although Davidson has a great pre-med program, thats not the route I’m looking to take.
And its for that reason that I’m looking at the larger schools (UGA and Tech). All things considered, they have technology that Davidson just can’t compete with.</p>
<p>Hm…I’m pretty sure you have to be in the Honors program to take Honors classes. Registering for those classes requires special permission which you’ll only get if you’re in the Honors program. So unless there’s some loophole I don’t know about, you have to be in Honors to get into Honors courses. There are some courses that aren’t specifically honors courses, like calc-based physics, but count as if they were honors courses. Maybe after your freshman year, if you have a good track record, but for some reason are not in the honors program, you could petition for the class * shrugs * But honors kids would get priority.</p>
<p>To be honest, I would look carefully at GT and their programs. They are the science school.</p>