Pre-Med at UMass Amherst: Worth it?

I'm looking at UMass Amherst for pre-med, but I'm on the fence. What are some pros and cons about their pre-med program? Any tips, advice, or personal experiences would be awesome.

UMass Amherst has a lot to offer for pre-med students, but like any choice, it has both pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

1. UMass Amherst has strong science programs, which are crucial for pre-med students. The school is known for its research opportunities, which can benefit pre-med students looking for experience.

2. The Pre-Med Advising Office is quite supportive, providing guidance for course selection, medical school application, and preparing for interviews.

3. There's an opportunity to do clinical volunteering at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield or Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton and earn healthcare exposure.

4. UMass Amherst has a few medical school linkage programs, including ones with the Tufts University School of Medicine and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Cons:

1. As a large public university, classes at UMass Amherst can be large, especially introductory science courses, which could impact the learning environment.

2. It doesn’t have a formal committee letter for medical school applications, which some medical schools prefer.

3. Some students say that you need to be proactive and assertive to get the classes you need and seize opportunities, given the school's size.

As for tips, I would strongly recommend taking advantage of research opportunities and forming relationships with professors early on. These experiences can lead to strong letters of recommendation for your med school applications. Also, get involved in medically related volunteer work, internships, leadership in clubs or organizations, and coursework that shows depth of thought, analysis, and communication. Overall, your decision should be based on how well you think the school can prepare you for medical school and support your overall goals, considering things like academic rigor, advising resources, and opportunities for medical-related extracurriculars.