WashU OR Emory for pre-med track??

Mahesh786
Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:14:03 +0000

Hello,

We could really use some guidance/insights. My S is admitted to both Emory and WashU/STL for Fall 2018 class. He is really interested in pursuing a pre-med track (Biochem OR biology major with minor or double major in econ) and eventually has aspirations to go to med school.

He has visited both schools and really likes both of them as well… however he is a bit conflicted on deciding the one.

The concern for him is - he has heard that the pre-med track at WashU is EXTREMELY rigorous and the drop out rate (folks dropping out from pre-med) is REALLY high. This on top of the relatively higher caliber students at WashU comparatively speaking than the students at Emory (this was based on his interactions with students when he stayed at each school for about 2-3 days). He feels that he will stand out at Emory and not as much at WashU and as such at WashU there is a higher likelihood of his grade/GPA getting impacted. In other facets - volunteer work/opportunities, research and clinical opportunities, advising, mentorship etc. etc. he feels are on par at both schools.

So the question is… if he looks ahead to med school and if he gets a lower GPA at WashU than lets say what he gets at Emory and everything else being equal, will that hurt his chances of admission? Another way to put it, is he better of going to Emory where he has the potential of getting a higher GPA and thereby a easier path to getting into med school OR is he better off going to WashU with a much rigorous program and higher caliber students and risk getting a lower GPA and thus hurt his change of admissions into med school?

Understand there are lot of what if’s and hypotheticals here, but would really welcome your opinions/suggestion/feedback/insights?

Thanks.
Chandra Mahesh