Would it be a bad idea to attend the University of Rhode Island for pre med studies?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
21

<p>I’d like to point out that UConn’s standards are higher than URI’s, and UConn seems like a much nicer school. Although there are some obnoxious people, those seem to be those who get in based on athletics. Nothing appeals to me about URI, other than the Bubble Tea House. Granted, I’m from Rhode Island. However, in terms of surrounding area, Storrs really is in the middle of nowhere, and you need to learn to be social. My boyfriend goes there after transferring from Avery Point, and didn’t really make friends his freshman year and didn’t get to see his high school friends. </p>

<p>Also, there’s nothing wrong with being an art major. At URI, though, probably, because the art department is supposedly atrocious. Still, I hate when art majors get so much crap, since we have to do just as much, if not more, work. At least, if you’re a true art major. :)</p>

<p>Anyway, sorry for the off-topic stuff. I recommend you saving your money, and grad schools will understand. You’re better off doing well at a mediocre school as opposed to doing mediocre at a great school.</p>

22

<p>As a URI Pre-med student, I know for a fact that URI does offer extremely challenging courses and majors if that is what you are looking for. We have an amazing Honors/pre-health advising team and 90%+ of the students who go through the pre-med advising program gain acceptance into at least 1 medical school. According to the pre-health advisor, URI pre-med students regularly get accepted into Top 20/Ivy League schools when they apply. We have science majors such as Microbiology, Medical Lab Science, Nursing, Pharmacy (extremely competitive), Nutrition, Kinesiology, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Health Studies, and much more. Almost all of the professors I have had went to top 20/Ivy League schools, and a bunch of them also teach at Brown University because of it’s close proximity. Our Biology department is extremely demanding, and the professors do not expect anything less than your best effort. Although it is true that we do not have the best Chemistry department, it is still extremely possible to learn and succeed in every Chemistry class you need and want to take. URI has way more academic support available than any other university I have ever researched. I have high standards, and even I have been extremely satisfied with every course I have taken at URI. In a nutshell, I think it is extremely rude and ignorant to claim that URI “is not strong academically.” We may have a reputation as a party school, but I assure you that it is not difficult to challenge yourself if you are a serious student.</p>

<p>In addition, because we are a research school and almost every tenured faculty is required to do some form of research, there are amazing opportunities available to pre-med students. Every professor has a different project going, ranging from cancer research to basic chemical structure. As Rhode Island is a small state, it is possible to shadow and volunteer at almost any hospital without traveling for more than 45 minutes. In fact, the closest hospital is only 10 minutes away. There are also countless ways to become a student leader on campus, to tutor, and to lead a student organization. As only a Sophomore, I myself have two jobs, one as a Supplemental Instruction leader for a Human Anatomy course (meaning I create lesson plans with the Professor and hold two 90 minutes sessions of extra help a week), and as a SNAP Outreach worker for the Hunger Prevention Center on campus. I am honestly overwhelmed with how many opportunities there are for participating in activities and organizations that I know would not only make me a better applicant to medical school, but would make me a better person. </p>

<p>Although it is true that going to a private school might make you look more competitive to a medical school, URI offers the unique experience of making yourself stand out among 15,000 students. Every year URI receives more and more applications, which makes the school more competitive, and in turn makes the students here more studious. </p>

<p>Perhaps the best part of being a pre-medical student at URI is knowing that even if you get into an amazing medical school, you will never become one of those stuck up condescending students who let the undergraduate school they went to define them. </p>

<p>Please consider this while making this important decision.</p>

23

<p>The whole “90% who go through the pre-med advising” thing is pure garbage. All that it means is the pre-med advising is very good at weeding out anyone from applying who they don’t think is ready to apply. Swarthmore used to claim a 100% acceptance rate by doing the same thing. Plus, what about all the people who don’t use the advising, or those who decide to wait to apply? The number sounds great, but it shouldn’t be a factor in your decision. Arizona State’s honors college used to use a similar statistic to impress people. </p>

<p>I would also like to point out that your last statement about being defined by one’s undergraduate is terribly ironic. </p>

<p>However, I’m not trying to bash your school. URI is a fine choice for pre-med.</p>

24

<p>This thread has been resurrected twice.</p>

<p>The problem with this is that other posters are drawn into the OPs ‘important decision’ which was made almost 3 years ago. </p>

<p>Closing.</p>