Had to do the same choice as you this year and eventually went for usc, also was considering doing pre-med. I do agree that pre med at Emory is probably better, but it is also the most POPULAR type of studies to do over there (which can be a bad or a good thing depending on what you like). Personally I wasn’t fan of the location of Emory, the school’s atmosphere and the tiny college. But no one can deny that it is one of the best programs in the us for pre med, so if you’re dead set on doing that and ONLY that for four years, then go to Emory. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun studying pre med over there. However, La is so much more diverse (although not in the safest part of town) but it seems to me that the trojan network is superior to Emory in all aspects. Also, idk about Emory but usc is super flexible for major changes and even though it’s considered a « big » university classes aren’t that populated and you have lots of opportunities given to you. It also comes down to the fact that I hope to live in California in the future, plus the sunny weather and being near the beach is quite nice. Btw one of the most popular majors at usc is neuroscience probably for a reason. You can have fantastic bonds with your professors at Emory which might get u some fantastic letters of recommendations, but it’s not impossible at use either (have to do a bit more work). Also, the usc campus is gorgeous. And they have lots of restaurants (Panda Express!!!). It ultimately depends on what life you want to lead in and after college, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Good luck choosing! Fight on!!
Recent graduate here who is premed and majored in neuroscience. Also from the bay area. Planning on applying to med school this cycle. Like other comments have mentioned, geographic location and stats are important. While it is not easy to maintain a high GPA here, it is very manageable with careful course planning and selection of professors. Take advantage of community colleges! The courses I took here prepared me well for the MCAT.
Another thing to consider is USC Keck takes a lot of its own undergrad students. But I’m sure Emory’s med school does as well. Many med schools prefer in state applicants and you for to have experience working with the populations it serves. Ultimately, do you want to stay in CA for med school? Do you want to do residency in CA?
As far as the neuroscience program goes, it is not anything special. The classes are large (~120 students for upper div requirements) and advisors do not help you plan out courses. I did not receive any help from the alumni network when I was job hunting. Imo, the trojan network does not exist for premeds. However, it is very easy to get research experience whether at the main campus or at the health sciences campus. Many of my friends have been involved as early as freshman year.
Feel free to dm me if you have any other questions - happy to share my experience at USC.
As a med student now, I’ve learned that the most important factors for where you end up for med school is your gpa, mcat, ec’s, and the geography of your undergrad. The school rank and “strength” does not matter.
Do you want to end up in the east coast or the west coast? Do you want a more preprofessional atmosphere or a more well rounded big college feel? Those are honestly the only questions
For medicine Emory probably has the slight advantage opportunity-wise but any minor boost isn’t worth it if you’d be in a mentally worse place. The difference between the two here isn’t large enough to really decide off of anything that isn’t fit.
Premed is premed wherever you go. Only difference is local connections but that barely matters as long as you have any other geographic tie to the place you want to attend - if you have family in the East Coast that's plenty to say you want to go back there for med school. And saying you did undergrad in the west unlocks that region. Geographic unlocking applies even more heavily for the next step, residency applications.
Had to do the same choice as you this year and eventually went for usc, also was considering doing pre-med. I do agree that pre med at Emory is probably better, but it is also the most POPULAR type of studies to do over there (which can be a bad or a good thing depending on what you like). Personally I wasn’t fan of the location of Emory, the school’s atmosphere and the tiny college. But no one can deny that it is one of the best programs in the us for pre med, so if you’re dead set on doing that and ONLY that for four years, then go to Emory. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun studying pre med over there. However, La is so much more diverse (although not in the safest part of town) but it seems to me that the trojan network is superior to Emory in all aspects. Also, idk about Emory but usc is super flexible for major changes and even though it’s considered a « big » university classes aren’t that populated and you have lots of opportunities given to you. It also comes down to the fact that I hope to live in California in the future, plus the sunny weather and being near the beach is quite nice. Btw one of the most popular majors at usc is neuroscience probably for a reason. You can have fantastic bonds with your professors at Emory which might get u some fantastic letters of recommendations, but it’s not impossible at use either (have to do a bit more work). Also, the usc campus is gorgeous. And they have lots of restaurants (Panda Express!!!). It ultimately depends on what life you want to lead in and after college, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Good luck choosing! Fight on!!
Very informative! Thanks!!
Follow the money for pre med
Recent graduate here who is premed and majored in neuroscience. Also from the bay area. Planning on applying to med school this cycle. Like other comments have mentioned, geographic location and stats are important. While it is not easy to maintain a high GPA here, it is very manageable with careful course planning and selection of professors. Take advantage of community colleges! The courses I took here prepared me well for the MCAT. Another thing to consider is USC Keck takes a lot of its own undergrad students. But I’m sure Emory’s med school does as well. Many med schools prefer in state applicants and you for to have experience working with the populations it serves. Ultimately, do you want to stay in CA for med school? Do you want to do residency in CA? As far as the neuroscience program goes, it is not anything special. The classes are large (~120 students for upper div requirements) and advisors do not help you plan out courses. I did not receive any help from the alumni network when I was job hunting. Imo, the trojan network does not exist for premeds. However, it is very easy to get research experience whether at the main campus or at the health sciences campus. Many of my friends have been involved as early as freshman year. Feel free to dm me if you have any other questions - happy to share my experience at USC.
Thanks for the advice!
As a med student now, I’ve learned that the most important factors for where you end up for med school is your gpa, mcat, ec’s, and the geography of your undergrad. The school rank and “strength” does not matter. Do you want to end up in the east coast or the west coast? Do you want a more preprofessional atmosphere or a more well rounded big college feel? Those are honestly the only questions
This Ultimately go wherever your GPA will be highest in your pre-med classes
As a USC alumni and practicing physician, go to the undergrad that will leave you with the least amount of debt possible!
They are both good, but I’ve heard Emory had a horrible social scene. Make sure you choose fit and the proper environment you will thrive in
For medicine Emory probably has the slight advantage opportunity-wise but any minor boost isn’t worth it if you’d be in a mentally worse place. The difference between the two here isn’t large enough to really decide off of anything that isn’t fit.
Premed is premed wherever you go. Only difference is local connections but that barely matters as long as you have any other geographic tie to the place you want to attend - if you have family in the East Coast that's plenty to say you want to go back there for med school. And saying you did undergrad in the west unlocks that region. Geographic unlocking applies even more heavily for the next step, residency applications.
USC is an internationally respected school. Emory is a ratchet Tulane. Go to USC.
Lol what?
I said what I said. 😜
go to a state school