lol @ conclusion made without support. Clearly we should assume the mystery factor here is prestige, and not the inherent dedication (to other aspects of one's med school application) of the students that are good enough to attend your "prestigious" university . The point is without more information we can't say what the factor is, and assuming it's prestige is jumping too far to a conclusion that may not have stable ground.
What other "mystery aspects"? In general, the average student at a "prestigious" school is more accomplished than one at a "lesser" school to have passed through that initial undergraduate selection process (FACT). However, we tend to forget there are outstanding students at every college and I don't generalize like that. I know incredibly intelligent friends that passed up "prestige" for financial reasons.
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If the accepted GPA/MCAT combinations at a certain school is almost more than double the national figure, then that leads me to believe there is some kind of prestige factor involved.
The prestige factor encompasses more than just a superficial "name," it includes...
- the quality of the faculty that are writing your recommendations
- the quality of your student body
- the reputation of your undergraduate school with medical schools (medical schools know the trend of what undergraduate institutions turn out quality medical students)
- similarly, they are also familiar with your curriculum rigor (the more prestigious schools have been around longer, or traditionally send more applicants)
- the more opportunities a school can offer because of established programs or financial assets...research and volunteering opportunities fall under here too
All of the intangible aspects you mention, this "inherent dedication," is nurtured at a prestigious school with the resources to recruit those types of ambitious students in the first place.
If In could draw a really bad analogy to lower levels of education, there are tons of bright students at inner-city schools. I've seen their potential first hand and it's really difficult when you realize the educational system has failed them. It's definitely more difficult for them to reach higher levels of education if they aren't given the environment conducive for that, or at the least, they'll be much farther from reaching their full potential than at a more well-funded school.
I also know for a fact that at one top 25 medical school, they use an adjustment factor for your academic score dependent on their knowledge of your undergraduate institution. I don't know if that's to take into account grade inflation, or this "prestige factor," but it's there. My friend in a summer program at another medical school e-mailed the dean and asked him if his community college gave him a disadvantage in the process, and the dean said something along the lines of, "I'm not going to lie to you. It may be a more unfriendly application cycle, but we definitely accept students from your school." Yes, it's possible, but there might be a disadvantage-- however miniscule, it's there.
So keep laughing that there's no substantial proof, but there's probably less on your end. Look at the first-year student body of most medical schools and check out the undergraduate representation. Which schools are more represented? Between identical applicants from a community college and from Harvard, I'd put my money on the latter being interviewed/accepted at more schools-- and that just feeds into the vicious cycle of prestige.
. Either way, I have roughly a 3.15 as of now with 4 courses each semester. I do have a research position in a neurobiology lab and a modest amount of volunteer work. With that said, what would you guys say is the best scenario given the situation, assuming I want to start applying to med school next year? I understand it's all dependent on myself and what I put into my grades, but outside council is always encouraging and helps to keep me on the right track. Thanks everyone
