Does your undergrad institution REALLY not matter?

[MedLyfe]

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Whenever I have looked at profiles of students who were accepted to some of the higher ranked medical schools, it usually seems that they had attended big name undergrad universities...however, this is does not seem like that is the general consensus on sdn...

If I had the opportunity to transfer schools after this semester (currently a sophomore) to a more well-known institution, would it positively or negatively affect my chances if I take full advantage of all of the opportunities offered? FYI, I am taking advantage of opportunities at my current, unknown public university, but I feel like it still won't be enough to help give me an edge towards the higher ranked schools...Also, I'm not gunning for a top 10 or anything, but I figure if I can seem attractive to those schools, I should be all set for other schools as well, ya know.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Flash7]

whenever i have looked at profiles of students who were accepted to some of the higher ranked medical schools, it usually seems that they had attended big name undergrad universities...however, this is does not seem like that is the general consensus on sdn...

If i had the opportunity to transfer schools after this semester (currently a sophomore) to a more well-known institution, would it positively or negatively affect my chances if i take full advantage of all of the opportunities offered? Fyi, i am taking advantage of opportunities at my current, unknown public university, but i feel like it still won't be enough to help give me an edge towards the higher ranked schools...also, i'm not gunning for a top 10 or anything, but i figure if i can seem attractive to those schools, i should be all set for other schools as well, ya know.

Thanks for any input!

ermahgerd

 

[MedPR]

Whenever I have looked at profiles of students who were accepted to some of the higher ranked medical schools, it usually seems that they had attended big name undergrad universities...however, this is does not seem like that is the general consensus on sdn...

If I had the opportunity to transfer schools after this semester (currently a sophomore) to a more well-known institution, would it positively or negatively affect my chances if I take full advantage of all of the opportunities offered? FYI, I am taking advantage of opportunities at my current, unknown public university, but I feel like it still won't be enough to help give me an edge towards the higher ranked schools...Also, I'm not gunning for a top 10 or anything, but I figure if I can seem attractive to those schools, I should be all set for other schools as well, ya know.

Thanks for any input!

The kinds of kids who can get into Harvard undergrad are the kinds of kids who are going to work hard and get good grades, good MCAT scores, research, etc. Had that kid went to state school they still would've gotten good grades, good MCAT score, research, etc and they still would've gotten into a good medical school. It's not that Ivy undergrads (or whatever really good schools you're talking about) give you a better opportunity, it's the simple fact that the kids going to those places have already been groomed for academic excellence.

If you get a 4.00/40 and attend some no-name school, you'll still get into top programs. Sure a 4.00/40 from Harvard might get a spot before you (all else equal), but there aren't enough 4.00/40s in the applicant pool to fill every single spot at top schools.

 

[MedLyfe]

The kinds of kids who can get into Harvard undergrad are the kinds of kids who are going to work hard and get good grades, good MCAT scores, research, etc. Had that kid went to state school they still would've gotten good grades, good MCAT score, research, etc and they still would've gotten into a good medical school. It's not that Ivy undergrads (or whatever really good schools you're talking about) give you a better opportunity, it's the simple fact that the kids going to those places have already been groomed for academic excellence.

If you get a 4.00/40 and attend some no-name school, you'll still get into top programs. Sure a 4.00/40 from Harvard might get a spot before you (all else equal), but there aren't enough 4.00/40s in the applicant pool to fill every single spot at top schools.

Thanks, that's perfect advice.

 

[Eon]

The kinds of kids who can get into Harvard undergrad are the kinds of kids who are going to work hard and get good grades, good MCAT scores, research, etc. Had that kid went to state school they still would've gotten good grades, good MCAT score, research, etc and they still would've gotten into a good medical school. It's not that Ivy undergrads (or whatever really good schools you're talking about) give you a better opportunity, it's the simple fact that the kids going to those places have already been groomed for academic excellence.

If you get a 4.00/40 and attend some no-name school, you'll still get into top programs. Sure a 4.00/40 from Harvard might get a spot before you (all else equal), but there aren't enough 4.00/40s in the applicant pool to fill every single spot at top schools.

But, they could become superstars at State University. I just don't understand considering there's research opportunities everywhere. All pre-meds go through volunteering, any reputable state uni has a hospital nearby for volunteering. Shadowing is on the same boat. Internship's a bit debatable, but like researching, it's there if you try to look for it. It's not like at HYPS that you'll get handed stuff. At all universities, you'll have a chance to do everything if you work for it hard enough. That's why I question why people put 60k into undergrad.

 

[Wait For It]

Whenever I have looked at profiles of students who were accepted to some of the higher ranked medical schools, it usually seems that they had attended big name undergrad universities...however, this is does not seem like that is the general consensus on sdn...

If I had the opportunity to transfer schools after this semester (currently a sophomore) to a more well-known institution, would it positively or negatively affect my chances if I take full advantage of all of the opportunities offered? FYI, I am taking advantage of opportunities at my current, unknown public university, but I feel like it still won't be enough to help give me an edge towards the higher ranked schools...Also, I'm not gunning for a top 10 or anything, but I figure if I can seem attractive to those schools, I should be all set for other schools as well, ya know.

Thanks for any input!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=969032

There has been a decent thread on this with a great comment by LizzyM comparing 3 different Missouri undergraduate institutions. Some people on SDN would say that undergraduate institution does not matter. I would say that this is taking it too far. Reading into LizzyM's comment suggests that it does matter but also not to the extent that some others believe it does.

 

[Wait For It]

But, they could become superstars at State University. I just don't understand considering there's research opportunities everywhere. All pre-meds go through volunteering, any reputable state uni has a hospital nearby for volunteering. Shadowing is on the same boat. Internship's a bit debatable, but like researching, it's there if you try to look for it. It's not like at HYPS that you'll get handed stuff. At all universities, you'll have a chance to do everything if you work for it hard enough. That's why I question why people put 60k into undergrad.

From LizzyM's comment and some conversations I have had on the interview trail, I believe adcom's perceptions of "top ranked school" is alot wider than most people think and certainly does not only include HYPS (I believe this list would include 40+ universities/LACs/other institutions).

That being said, I believe that a student at a school outside of these institutions often have to have more impressive extracurriculars/activities than those from higher ranked institutions in order to stand out as there is a general belief that obtaining a higher gpa at lower ranked institutions is easier.

 

[Hemorrage]

From LizzyM's comment and some conversations I have had on the interview trail, I believe adcom's perceptions of "top ranked school" is alot wider than most people think and certainly does not only include HYPS (I believe this list would include 40+ universities/LACs/other institutions).

That being said, I believe that a student at a school outside of these institutions often have to have more impressive extracurriculars/activities than those from higher ranked institutions in order to stand out as there is a general belief that obtaining a higher gpa at lower ranked institutions is easier.

yeah this is what an adcom told me as well. Kids who go to schools with name recognition have more credibility in terms of their credentials.. obviously this doesn't make up for a sub-par GPA though

 

[Josh7]

The kinds of kids who can get into Harvard undergrad are the kinds of kids who are going to work hard and get good grades, good MCAT scores, research, etc. Had that kid went to state school they still would've gotten good grades, good MCAT score, research, etc and they still would've gotten into a good medical school. It's not that Ivy undergrads (or whatever really good schools you're talking about) give you a better opportunity, it's the simple fact that the kids going to those places have already been groomed for academic excellence.

If you get a 4.00/40 and attend some no-name school, you'll still get into top programs. Sure a 4.00/40 from Harvard might get a spot before you (all else equal), but there aren't enough 4.00/40s in the applicant pool to fill every single spot at top schools.

Very well put

 

[Nymphicus]

Of course it matters.

How much it matters is up for debate because it depends on which student/adcom/physician/advisor/hamster you ask, *sigh*, which I suppose is why we have these threads every week.

 

[PennDippody]

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[LovelyBRass]

Of course it matters.

quoting for emphasis 👍