Concerned about quality of education

[tijames]

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I transferred from a private school to a public university. Undoubtedly, there is a difference in the quality of education- the private school was much better. Some of my state school profs are great (MIT phds, etc) but overall the expectations are lower and classes less intense.

I'm getting fine grades, but I don't feel like I'm going to be very well prepared for medical school. Is this reasonable? Or am I just over thinking my situation?

 

[NurWollen]

I'm not a med student-yet- but everyone who is seems to say that nothing in any undergrad will really prepare you. I would just relax. If you ace your classes, and destroy the MCAT, and your undergrad will matter very little.

 

[NickNaylor]

Not sure if srs

 

[crixx]

So what exactly do you mean by "quality of education"? Most public schools offer large lecture-based classes that may seem much more impersonal than the smaller seminar-like classes of a private school. This doesn't necessarily have to be a disadvantage. Yes, you will have to more self-reliant when it comes to learning the material, but going to see a professor during office hours can enrich your experience. Take the time during undergrad to find out how you learn best.

 

[hoot504]

tijames just made the shortlist for pretentious poster of the year.

 

[tijames]

So what exactly do you mean by "quality of education"?

I just mean that I don't feel like the classes are as challenging or that we cover as much material, but you did raise some really good points. Thanks!

 

[tijames]

tijames just made the shortlist for pretentious poster of the year.

awww, shucks, I never thought I would! I'd like to thank my Mom and Dad, my teachers, my dog Lily, and everyone else that believed I could do it!

 

[BBender716]

 

[hoot504]

awww, shucks, I never thought I would! I'd like to thank my Mom and Dad, my teachers, my dog Lily, and everyone else that believed I could do it!

I'm sure they never doubted you for a second.

 

[justinbaily]

Your typical public school and your typical private school will have roughly similar academic expectations and, especially in science classes, a standardized curriculum. This is because individual professors, and not the schools themselves, determine the difficulty of their courses. In the typical public school (i.e., not Berkeley, UVA, UNC, UCLA, Michigan, GT, etc) the admissions standards are lower, worse students are admitted, and they get lower grades, so their GPA's are lower than in the private schools.

OP, if you feel like you have all of this extra time because of your new school's slack academic expectations, then use that extra time to go even deeper into the material and master it. This will make you even more prepared for medical school and the MCAT.

 

[toastedcheese]

If it's good enough for you to get a good score on the MCAT, it's good enough to prepare you for medical school.

 

[theWUbear]

irrelevant graph is irrelevant

tijames, I don't want to make a broad generalization, but odds are you will be prepared. In the case that you legitimately have poor profs and class is a joke at your new state school, I've been there - at my post-bacc (at least as compared to my previous school). I studied from the textbooks (whilst all my classmates moaned "whyyyyyy would you do thattt the textbook is optional") and got a better understanding than what was needed in classes like Microbio and Biochem to ensure I was preparing myself for the future in addition to getting the A's needed to move to the next level.

As long as you have a solid foundation in general chemistry and basic organic chemistry (functional groups), you will be prepared. Med schools know people come from different backgrounds so basic stuff is reviewed (at least at the med school at which I'm taking the basic science courses with the MS1's)

 

[BBender716]

irrelevant graph is irrelevant

tijames, I don't want to make a broad generalization, but odds are you will be prepared. In the case that you legitimately have poor profs and class is a joke at your new state school, I've been there - at my post-bacc (at least as compared to my previous school). I studied from the textbooks (whilst all my classmates moaned "whyyyyyy would you do thattt the textbook is optional") and got a better understanding than what was needed in classes like Microbio and Biochem to ensure I was preparing myself for the future in addition to getting the A's needed to move to the next level.

As long as you have a solid foundation in general chemistry and basic organic chemistry (functional groups), you will be prepared. Med schools know people come from different backgrounds so basic stuff is reviewed (at least at the med school at which I'm taking the basic science courses with the MS1's)

Primary purpose of graph is to illustrate grade inflation, but it also shows average GPAs. So if you happen to measure "difficulty" by grades, it shows that the difference is not in favor of private schools. I do not doubt that other mitigating factors contribute to this difference and am in no way saying private schools have it easy. That is not the argument I'm trying to make, just that the OP shouldn't dump on public schools for the reason that they are public schools.

Previously thought irrelevant graph is somewhat relevant, lol

 

[tijames]

I'm sure they never doubted you for a second.

That was really funny, I laughed 🙂 Touche, sir, good response!

 

[hoot504]

That was really funny, I laughed 🙂 Touche, sir, good response!

I like a little snarkiness in the morning

In all seriousness, I think you will find that independent studying will be able to fill in any gaps which your profs leave unfilled. Provided you've put in the time, I'm sure you will be prepared for whatever comes your way.

 

[brooklynblunder]

whats this preparation for med school bull****?

 

[Cmaj7th]

whats this preparation for med school bull****?

+1... I dont see how undergrad can adequately prepare you for medical school. even the rockstars get their ass handed to them. OP just focus on getting good grades and getting in. baby steps