Choosing an Undergraduate Program

[lillarry33]

I am having trouble deciding between the University of Michigan and Michigan State Honors College at Lyman Briggs. I have visited both and was impressed with each of them. I was wondering if anyone has experience at either of the schools or can comment on whether your undergraduate school even matters when applying for Med School. Thanks!

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[TriagePreMed]

I am having trouble deciding between the University of Michigan and Michigan State Honors College at Lyman Briggs. I have visited both and was impressed with each of them. I was wondering if anyone has experience at either of the schools or can comment on whether your undergraduate school even matters when applying for Med School. Thanks!

If you like both equally, attend the better college, but if money is a concern, go for the cheap one.

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[infinityavenue]

I think prestige of undergrad matters to an extent. Going to Harvard will obviously look prettier on an app than going to a CUNY college. However, I think at the end of the day, having kick-ass grades and great ECs is a lot more important. Plus, a school less prestigious MAY be easier to get good grades in (I'm aware this isn't always the case) and you have the chance to stand out more. Talk to premeds at both respective colleges about their experiences, how curving works in the classes, etc. Be wise when making your decision!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I'd pick UM, just cuz Ann Arbor is such a gorgeous town and both my grandparents went there. And the name doesn't hurt.

 

[NeuralNetwork]

Something you might want to consider is the fact that UM has a medical school affiliated with it. This can make research opportunities easier to come by and can also help establish a network within medicine earlier on (be it through faculty members at the school, a letter of rec from a professor or doctor who is well known there and to other schools, etc).

 

[lillarry33]

Something you might want to consider is the fact that UM has a medical school affiliated with it. This can make research opportunities easier to come by and can also help establish a network within medicine earlier on (be it through faculty members at the school, a letter of rec from a professor or doctor who is well known there and to other schools, etc).

One of the advantages that I saw at Michigan State, was that with the Honors program, research opportunities are abundant. On my tour and with conversations with people at Michigan, none of them mentioned research as much as those at Michigan State. Yet, MSU does not have a hospital on campus like Michigan does. Does anyone know how easy it is or how hard it is to get research opportunities at UofM? Also, for admittance in to med school is more time volunteering in a hospital or more time researching preferred?

 

[lillarry33]

GO BLUE OR GO HOME!

Even though MSU Honors does provide research opportunities and tends to produce a sizable number of Truman/Marshall winners, LSA Honors and Ross offer an Ivy-quality education at a state school price. The best thing about the school is the lack of HYPMS-types doing unique ECs, so if you're really good at something unique, you'll stand out and be in a really good position to win a full-ride to Michigan Med. Top-notch facilities, amazing school spirit, great walk-on sports options, and world-class faculty aside, UMich also has several practical benefits: the Medical Center being a 7 minute walk from the UGLI/center of campus so volunteering in the hospital and labs is super convenient, LSA Honors advising is uniquely tailored to you throughout your career, and Ann Arbor has more culture/internship opps than Lansing.

Caveat: my friends told me that the weedout classes are killer and you'd be smart to avoid freshman orgo, calculus II, and any kind of physical chem. Use your AP/IB credits to place into calculus III or IV and take the easiest version of the prereqs that you can find; the more public school-educated kids present, the better.

PM me if you want more information!

I wasn't accepted into LSA Honors and am only in the general LSA program. Would you still recommend standard LSA over Michigan State Honors?

 

[imymemine]

http://www.med.umich.edu/medschool/admissions/2012 Tracker.pptx

i don't know much about either undergrad school, but this might be of interest to you. this year UMich med school, which I am going to assume would be a top choice of yours four years from now, interviewed <10% of MSU applicants and fewer than 8 total were admitted. UM applicants had a 23% chance of being interviewed and 74 total were admitted (13% accept rate).

i'm not saying you have to chose UM--you are an individual, not a statistic, and success is possible at either school. however had i been in your situation when i was choosing my college i would have chosen UM.

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to hSDN.

 

[imymemine]

another thing to consider is how the UM name can help you, especially in the event you don't go to medical school. medical school admissions are generally more objective than other avenues for finding a career--ie everyone has grades, MCAT, which largely levels the playing field. there are many UM alumni out there and many are in high places in business, law, government, medicine, etc. and they are intensely loyal to one another--very similar to the more familiar ivy league old boys club. this was my experience when i worked in finance for a few years. and most people will be ignorant to whether or not you attended the "honors college" at MSU...ie they will have no idea what that means (including me).