Choosing a school for premed?

[DrClayton]

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Does it matter what schools you take your premed classes at such as a community school or a state university. I have heard that some schools are looked down on because they are community schools or a state university. I just want to make sure i pick the right school so that i will be accepted to med school.

 

[DaiCa86]

pick a school you'll do well at.

 

[boggvir]

State schools are fine, taking your pre-reqs at community college may hurt.

 

[Med Addict]

The good thing about major research universities like "The University of *Enter Your State Here*" is that there will be plenty of research opportunities that will be availible to you when you take a professor's class, and do well, and ask him/her to join his/her lab to conduct research. At community colleges and state colleges, you don't have the kind of research opportunities at the institution, so you may have to go elsewhere to get that research criteria filled. Otherwise, state schools are fine.

The thing to consider for going to a particular college, is that you will have to ask yourself, can I achieve 3.7 at this college, otherwise it's pretty much useless because that raw GPA number outweighs a college's "academic reputation" by far.

 

[DrClayton]

cool thank you and i know maintaining a 3.7 gpa will very hard, but how extremely hard will it be. I am one of those who studies constantly and doesnt ever party, I should be fine shouldnt I? I am terrified of college because at my school i have heard of so many people failing out of school and i do very well in high school. maybe they just partied to much.

 

[parafilm]

maybe they just partied to much.

Or maybe they partied too little.

 

[DrClayton]

I highly doubt that was the problem.

 

[Nomdeplume]

I've also been advised not to take prereq courses at community colleges, because adcoms may become suspiscious that you're using it as a strategy to get a better grade. Some schools' departments have reputations for being easier than their counterparts at other nearby schools, and therefore tend to attract premeds. I know of one notable example concerning two UC's.

Otherwise, though, it doesn't matter all that much. The best idea is to go to the school you can do your best work at. Amount of research opportunities, proximity (or lack therof) to your family, general academic reputation, the campus, the majors offered, athletics, the social life and the student body may all factor into your decision to different degrees. Just decide where you can feel comfortable and excel; good grades are paramount.

And while it may sound counter-intuitive, parafilm's comment isn't necessarily total nonsense. It's very easy to get burnt out if all you do day-in and day-out is study, even if you really enjoy whatever it is that you're studying. You're entering four full years of work, and the pressure can get to you if it's not released somehow. Don't go out more often than you can handle with your study habits, and don't feel obliged to party if you don't like partying, but be sure to relax and hangout every once in a while. The college years are about priorities and compromises, not absolutes.

 

[954 MD]

cool thank you and i know maintaining a 3.7 gpa will very hard, but how extremely hard will it be. I am one of those who studies constantly and doesnt ever party, I should be fine shouldnt I? I am terrified of college because at my school i have heard of so many people failing out of school and i do very well in high school. maybe they just partied to much.

First off, relax. It can be done, as is evidenced by the countless pre-meds on this forum who have made it happen. You will be just fine. Just be sure to acclimate yourself to college life early on and don't overload yourself in the first semester. After a semester or two, you will know what works for you with regards to study habits and test performance, and then you can really start racking up the A's as long as you remain diligent. I would also recommend not rushing to do any of your pre-med pre-requisites in the first term. You will have ample time to complete these courses as well as other advanced level science electives.

One further bit of advice, remember that you will want to distinguish yourself from your peers, and if you love something outside of the norm, such as Philosphy or Art History, pursue it. You will still have the opportunity to complete your pre-med courses, and when application season comes around, having a unique major will help your file stand out. Very helpful during med-school interviews, believe me. 👍

 

[DrClayton]

I've also been advised not to take prereq courses at community colleges, because adcoms may become suspiscious that you're using it as a strategy to get a better grade. Some schools' departments have reputations for being easier than their counterparts at other nearby schools, and therefore tend to attract premeds. I know of one notable example concerning two UC's.

Otherwise, though, it doesn't matter all that much. The best idea is to go to the school you can do your best work at. Amount of research opportunities, proximity (or lack therof) to your family, general academic reputation, the campus, the majors offered, athletics, the social life and the student body may all factor into your decision to different degrees. Just decide where you can feel comfortable and excel; good grades are paramount.

And while it may sound counter-intuitive, parafilm's comment isn't necessarily total nonsense. It's very easy to get burnt out if all you do day-in and day-out is study, even if you really enjoy whatever it is that you're studying. You're entering four full years of work, and the pressure can get to you if it's not released somehow. Don't go out more often than you can handle with your study habits, and don't feel obliged to party if you don't like partying, but be sure to relax and hangout every once in a while. The college years are about priorities and compromises, not absolutes.

I am glad I found this site, everyone is very helpful. Thank you everyone.

 

[mbe36]

Avoid taking pre-reqs at a CC.

 

[ThaliaNox]

I'd like to comment on the idea that smaller state colleges do not have research projects to work on. In most cases, this is simply not true. I attend a small, very NOT prestigious state college, and research opportunities abound. All of the tenured science faculty have research going on, and nearly all have undergraduate researchers working on their projects. My school is so small that we do not have graduate programs in chemistry or physics, so undergraduate research students in these fields do work which would be limited to graduate students at other universities. We also have the advantage of working directly with the professor, instead of through a graduate student or post-doc. This means better letters of recommendation.

Attend a school which makes you happy, and don't worry about prestige or "what's best for medical school." As long as you attend an accredited four year school, get a decent GPA and MCAT score and take advantage of the EC opportunities which exist for anyone who looks for them, it doesn't matter where you go.

 

[Maygyver]

A3.7 really isn't that hard if all you do is study. However, that would be a pretty lame experience. The whole point of college is to learn how to adapt to growing up and getting more responsibilities.

 

[Med Addict]

All of the tenured science faculty have research going on, and nearly all have undergraduate researchers working on their projects.

Every school is different. I guess the take home message from this is to do some research on your prospective college to make sure that there are research opportunities. Because contrary to what some posters say about research not being necessary, it is. MSAR lists ~75-85% of students who matriculate in medical school have research experience.

A3.7 really isn't that hard if all you do is study. However, that would be a pretty lame experience. The whole point of college is to learn how to adapt to growing up and getting more responsibilities.

When you go to college, there will be many people who would like nothing more than to see you fail at your dream of becoming a doctor. The most common thing that people will say is to "have a life." But remember, if your passion is really medicine, then you should have fun studying, have fun doing research, and have fun working at a hospital. Just people other people have fun partying with less dedicated students, doesn't mean that you are the same, and will have fun partying with them. The most fun I've had at college is meeting intelligent students who share the same interests as me and who are as dedicated as I am.

This is why I like SDN so much, its like a community of very intelligent students.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

This plan (which my kid did not pursue) won't get you into Johns Hopkins but it will get you in somewhere:

1) Pick an undergraduate college that you can easily get into. You do not want to be the last person admitted. You want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer;

2) Make sure the college you pick has an algebra based physics sequence. If you need two terms of calculus to take the only physics sequence offered, go somewhere else.

3) Pick an easy but unusual major. Don't major in engineering, physics, math or chemistry because they are all too hard and admissions committees are bored with them.

4) Flunk every placement test. Start over in math and foreign languages. The more easy "A"'s you get the better.

5) Spend your time in the library. Fabricate extracurricular activities.

6) Limit your volunteering time but make it sound good on your application; and

7) If you don't have a good sob story for your personal statement "adopt" a friend or old geezer through whom you can vicariously suffer. If all else fails concoct something that can't be verified.

 

[doozenberg]

4) Flunk every placement test. Start over in math and foreign languages. The more easy "A"'s you get the better.

Not so sure about this one. To the OP- please take everyone's advice with a grain of salt, including my own. These are all opinions, please weigh for yourself what its right for you in the end. My personal opinion would be to put an honest effort forward in all that you do for the sake of a solid education that develops your mind into an informed critical thinker. Easy A's are nice, but you are robbing yourself in the end. It's your education.

5) Spend your time in the library. Fabricate extracurricular activities.

Do study hard.

Do NOT, however, fabricate ANYTHING. This is grounds for immediate rejection or even dismissal after an acceptance if you are caught. Not worth risking this for your career, if you ask me.

6) Limit your volunteering time but make it sound good on your application; and

My opinion- volunteer if you love volunteering. Don't volunteer if you hate it, but rather find some activity you are passionate about. Then pursue that like nothing else. Not only will this "sound good on your application", but it will be genuine and this will clearly show when you talk about it during your interviews.

7) If you don't have a good sob story for your personal statement "adopt" a friend or old geezer through whom you can vicariously suffer. If all else fails concoct something that can't be verified.

Seriously? Do NOT concoct anything. Even if facts cannot be verified, interviewers will know you are lying through your teeth when asked in person about details. Never lie.

Lastly, regarding your original question, do most of your prereqs at the school you obtain your degree from if you're already in college. If you're trying to decide which college to attend, go to the one you fit in with. And I hate to say this, but "prestige" of your undergrad institution does carry some weight and it follows you around, even as you apply to residencies -- this came up numerous times for me personally. So if you have the luxury to do so, go to a school with a solid reputation that fits what you're looking for.

 

[DrClayton]

wow thank you everyone for taking the time to answer my post

 

[135892]

This plan (which my kid did not pursue) won't get you into Johns Hopkins but it will get you in somewhere:

1) Pick an undergraduate college that you can easily get into. You do not want to be the last person admitted. You want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer;

2) Make sure the college you pick has an algebra based physics sequence. If you need two terms of calculus to take the only physics sequence offered, go somewhere else.

3) Pick an easy but unusual major. Don't major in engineering, physics, math or chemistry because they are all too hard and admissions committees are bored with them.

4) Flunk every placement test. Start over in math and foreign languages. The more easy "A"'s you get the better.

5) Spend your time in the library. Fabricate extracurricular activities.

6) Limit your volunteering time but make it sound good on your application; and

7) If you don't have a good sob story for your personal statement "adopt" a friend or old geezer through whom you can vicariously suffer. If all else fails concoct something that can't be verified.

This actually is a pretty good plan... as the poster said, it won't get you into Harvard, but should give a good shot at your state schools, granted you interview decently

 

[funkymunkytoes]

As for undergrad: go where it is the cheapest.

You'll be spending enough time paying off med school loans, let alone undergrad.

 

[RoyBasch]

This plan (which my kid did not pursue) won't get you into Johns Hopkins but it will get you in somewhere:

1) Pick an undergraduate college that you can easily get into. You do not want to be the last person admitted. You want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer;

2) Make sure the college you pick has an algebra based physics sequence. If you need two terms of calculus to take the only physics sequence offered, go somewhere else.

3) Pick an easy but unusual major. Don't major in engineering, physics, math or chemistry because they are all too hard and admissions committees are bored with them.

4) Flunk every placement test. Start over in math and foreign languages. The more easy "A"'s you get the better.

These first four are REALLY MONEY. I cannot stress this enough, if you are at the beginning of your college career, and you want to go to medical school this is what to do. All this stuff that seems so important when you are a senior in HS and a freshman in college: the prestigious university, being enrolled in the extra hard classes, with your uber major, its all vanity. If you want to go to medical school you gotta play the game. And the game is getting more A's than an aardvark. Do what it takes.
-Roy

 

[Med Addict]

This plan (which my kid did not pursue) won't get you into Johns Hopkins but it will get you in somewhere:

1) Pick an undergraduate college that you can easily get into. You do not want to be the last person admitted. You want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer;

3) Pick an easy but unusual major. Don't major in engineering, physics, math or chemistry because they are all too hard and admissions committees are bored with them.

4) Flunk every placement test. Start over in math and foreign languages. The more easy "A"'s you get the better.

Obnoxious Dad is being a bit sarcastic, but isn't as far off the mark as you think he is. As are the key to Medical School. You need As like there is no tomorrow. I honestly regret taking all those AP tests in high school because I wasn't able to flunk out of my placement tests to get a free boost in my GPA. Easy classes are your friend, don't be a fool and take the hardest classes at your university because no Med School cares about class difficulty. Easy classes have two benefits: they are free As, and they give you free time to beef up your extracurriculars.

And unless you're a genius then engineering, physics, math or chemistry these majors are going to be difficult. Pick the major that is easiest for you. You will still have to take the basic science prerequisites no matter the major though. Remember, you aren't going to build a career out of these majors, they are just a stepping stone.

www.ratemyprofessors.com is your friend when choosing classes. I choose all my classes based on difficulty, unless I had to take them. Don't do something stupid like take a track major because you will be forced to take certain classes by certain professors on a specific quarter/semester, and then you may be stuck with a classes where half the class is given a C, then you're screwed.

If you want to go to medical school you gotta play the game. And the game is getting more A's than an aardvark. Do what it takes.
-Roy

This is true. You guys are making it humorous, but all joking aside, more A's than an aardvark is true, especially if you're from California.

Getting As gives you certain advantages, because a GPA can never be repaired, but the MCATs and extra-curriculars can always be redone. An if you get good grades, you can always apply and be a sho-in for DO schools and make the same money as MDs.

Good Luck OP 👍

 

[fastfingers]

This plan (which my kid did not pursue) won't get you into Johns Hopkins but it will get you in somewhere:

1) Pick an undergraduate college that you can easily get into. You do not want to be the last person admitted. You want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer;

2) Make sure the college you pick has an algebra based physics sequence. If you need two terms of calculus to take the only physics sequence offered, go somewhere else.

3) Pick an easy but unusual major. Don't major in engineering, physics, math or chemistry because they are all too hard and admissions committees are bored with them.

4) Flunk every placement test. Start over in math and foreign languages. The more easy "A"'s you get the better.

5) Spend your time in the library. Fabricate extracurricular activities.

6) Limit your volunteering time but make it sound good on your application; and

7) If you don't have a good sob story for your personal statement "adopt" a friend or old geezer through whom you can vicariously suffer. If all else fails concoct something that can't be verified.

Not all completely true. Here's what I have to say about some points.

1) Being the sharpest knife is good, but a top 20% gpa at a top tier school could be better than a 3.9 gpa at a state schools. If you look at stats, top tier med schools accept students from top tier undergrad. And don't worry, it's not hard to get a good gpa at a top tier school because 15% of the kids get an A, but you got 50% of he kids in your class who parties all the time. I recommend shooting for the best undergrad college if you are willing to study.

2) Med school likes to see that you take Calc 2 and stats anyways, so I don't think what he said there should matter too much.

3) Picking an easy major is good, but survey shows that adcom looks at majors. So if you take an easy major, you better get a very good gpa. If you take a hard major, you have more leeway. Survey ranks this as 3rd most important factor I think.

5) HAHAHAH i didn't read this. okay this person isn't serious, I'll stop posting about him.

 

[DrClayton]

So Obnoxious Dad is completely wrong or some what right? To me it seems like a easy way out that could work. Yet on the other hand, the med school could easily go either way with your application.

 

[atomi]

Does it matter what schools you take your premed classes at such as a community school or a state university. I have heard that some schools are looked down on because they are community schools or a state university. I just want to make sure i pick the right school so that i will be accepted to med school.

Go to the cheapest one you get into if you are paying your own way.

 

[DrClayton]

Alrighty

 

[RoadRunner17]

This is what I would have done differently:

-Don't use your AP credits for prerequisites. Take them in college. You still need to work hard but those are more A's that you'll have in your belt for when you move onto other things that you might be interested in.

-Use the course evaluation guides that may be available at your undergrad, or ratemyprofessor.com. Just don't take classes JUST because the professor is easy. Learn something you want to learn, but make sure you're not getting a hardass professor. If its clear that you won't do better than a B by the drop date, drop the class and take it in the summer.

-Don't take summer classes while working full-time in the summer.

 

[Turtle01]

I second the idea to go to a school you will enjoy and do well at in your major of choice. I have said this before, and will say it again, you do not need a 3.7 to get into medical school, unless you want hopkins or harvard. Even then the biggest difference is the name. Having a 3.7 is great and I encourage you to do your absolute best, but don't ever sacrifice all of your personal time (and yes some party time) to get it.