Syracuse University: Out With the Snowbirds, In With the Pre-Meds

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Its is well documented that of the ~15,000 undergraduates at Syracuse University, a whopping 56% are not from the beautiful state of New York, but rather from all 49 other states and 123 other countries. As an ecology enthusiast, this statistic is staggering. What could be causing this migratory behavior, it is definitely not the weather.

For me, as a central New Yorker, Syracuse had always been an option. It's close to home, it's a respectable school, it generally touches all of my interests, it has good sports teams, but was there something I wasn't seeing? I had often visited the university throughout my childhood, watching sports games, attending events etc, but not once had I ever really looked at it as an academic institution. While frantically searching for schools, that forced perspective really changed me.

As an aspiring medical student, there are 3 necessities for undergraduate study:
1. Well-funded science facilities and programs
2. Research opportunities
3. Clinical opportunities

Syracuse is fertile ground for undergraduate pre-meds,

1. The Life Science Complex (LSB), completed in 2008, this 230,000 sq. ft. $113.6 million building, in addition to it's conjoined older brother, The Center for Science and Technology (CST), an equally impressive 200,000 sq. ft. building provide a state of the art research and education environment. LSB alone provides 27 interconnecting research laboratories for faculty and student interests. Well-funded science facilities and programs, check ✓.

2. Research opportunities? No problem. In addition to all of the research the University provides, students can venture outside of the university to two other Universities less than a block away. So you like the Environment? SUNY ESF, Syracuse's "little brother" provides a plethora of "alternative" research for pre-medicine students including but not limited to the areas of plant, animals and the environment. So you like medical research? Apart form the various medical research taking place at SU, SUNY Upstate Medical University also hosts many undergraduate students. I imagine whatever life science your research interests lie, "The Hill" of Syracuse can accommodate. Research opportunities, check ✓.

3. Apart from hosting its own student run ambulance, the University's location offers a key advantage that many other Colleges and Universities just cannot offer. Within two blocks of the University, there are THREE Hospitals (VA, Crouse, Upstate). Within fifteen minutes, there are FIVE hospital (St. Joseph's, Community General) as well as countless doctors offices and private practices. What more could you ask for? Volunteering and shadowing opportunities have never been more convenient... Clinical Opportunities, check ✓.

It is for these reasons I had chosen Syracuse University as a senior in high school. Syracuse University is an excellent incubator for success in medical careers.

Students do not travel to Syracuse for the weather, there must be something here for everyone.