Help?! Advice?!

[Future_M.D]

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Hello everyone, I am a high school senior who is having a hard time in deciding on a good path to medical school. What I mean by that is, as we all know, students from Ivy League schools and UC's have better chances of getting into medical school, however, I do not have good enough grades to get into an Ivy League or UC since my grades freshman year and half of my sophomore year of high school wasn't really up to par. When I told one of my teachers about this and stated that I should go to a community college first and transfer to one of the "higher ranked" universities, she completely cut me off and stated that I am "too mature" and "too hard-working" to go to a CC first and that if anything, I should go to a CSU first.

I took into account what she said,but, I am also aware that it is quite easier to pull off a high GPA at most, if not all CSU's. I want to actually learn and have challenging classes and professors throughout my college life as an undergrad; I don't want to go to a university that is easy. I am also worried that going to a university that is easy to get into such as the University of Hawaii,Manoa or University of Nevada, Las Vegas will potentially lessen my chances of getting into a good medical school.

I planned on applying to the University of Hawaii,Manoa since I would love to live and get to experience Hawaii itself and everyone's culture within it. BUT, their acceptance rate is around 80% which is pretty high, and i'm not sure if their classes are even challenging because of the fact that it is so easy to get into. Although I would love to experience four years of college in a place as beautiful as Hawaii, I do not want its "lower standards" to interfere with my competitiveness as a future med school applicant.

Now, I know some of you may be thinking "if she can't do high school work what makes her think she's good enough to go to med school?" Good Point! Thing is, I CAN do high school work, no problem, easy peasy! I CHOSE not to when I was younger. My second semester grades of my sophomore year in high school drastically changed from my previous grades. I got 1.0-2.8 in my starting years and after that, my grades have never went below a 3.0 GPA!

I don't really know what to do at this point, since my grades are only competitive for CSU's,out of state universities, and possibly a few UC's, but I have been in California all my life and I've never actually planned on going to college in California until I found out it's way cheaper than going to one out of state.

Any suggestions? Advice?

 

[FutureDrB]

Take this advice as you will, I'm just a medical school applicant myself, but I'm also 35 years old and have a few "real life" years under my belt.

First off, the past is the past...leave it there.

Secondly, you don't submit your high school transcripts to medical schools, so again, leave the past in the past. College is a fresh start and where you get another chance to shine. Keep in mind too that getting into medical school is much more than just good grades. In fact, some people get into decent medical schools with sub-par grades.

Now, depending on your future plans (where you want to attend medical school), lose the idea that you need to graduate from some Ivy League university to get accepted. However, if you're dead-set on attending Johns Hopkins, then yes, you're likely going to need to attend some well-known university.

But let's be realistic (we like to be realistic here on SDN), with your high school grades, you're not going to an Ivy League university. Again, perfectly fine. As a former teacher and current college administrator, I tell many young adults just starting out to begin their college careers at a community college. Not only is it a more-financially sound route, it allows you to ease your way into the college experience. However, there are also benefits of going directly from high school to a university; mainly the option of getting involved in student organizations, networking and becoming involved in the community. (All of which are almost as important, if not as important as your grades when you eventually apply to medical school.)

When you're first starting out, try not to look at the big picture. Focus on what you need to accomplish each semester. Take courses that challenge you, but never overload yourself and risk screwing up your GPA. Don't worry so much about what school you attend and worry more about doing well wherever you end up...and be involved.

Trust me, 4 years goes by in the blink of an eye. Take everyone's advice with a grain of salt, including mine. You have to do what is right for you. No one can tell you what path to take.

 

[Future_M.D]

Thank you.

Yes, I know that getting into med school is more than just good grades but for this particular discussion I was only worried about which university I should go to for my undergrad, which I am aware is completely up to me not others but suggestions would have been nice.

I have thought about transferring to Johns Hopkins, but I want to have a fun and challenging university to attend and according to quite a few students there, it's pretty boring.

I am also aware that HS transcripts aren't looked at by medical schools, my point was that me going to one of the "easier" universities will lessen my chances of getting into medical school REGARDLESS of how hard I work. I do know people who have applied to a California medical school from a CSU and although they had very good grades and around a 32 MCAT score along with a few other things, anyone from one of the "harder" schools will definitely outshine a CSU applicant with similar stats. That was my point. But only time will tell, I've got a long journey ahead of me.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[2Pints]

If you keep up this level of stress then you will probably burn out. I was starting to have anxiety reading your comment.

I think you are underestimating two things. First, the weight of debt. My first degree was paid for by my hard work and my second degree paid for by loans. Only 25K but reality reality settled in when my first year out of school racked up over $1,500 in interest. I paid that off in less than two years and am dreading taking on med school loans. Maybe you have somebody to help with finances so that's a non-issue.

Secondly, you are underestimating your state universities. Education is what you make of it. The classes were tough at my school and people I graduated with were accepted to Ivy League medical schools.

Maybe instead of focusing so much on the prestige of the school you might attend in 8 years, you should find something meaningful to do now. Grades are one thing but finding a niche to make a difference will most likely make you stand out even more.

 

[alpinism]

You should go to Cal State Fullerton heh

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/grade-inflation-colleges-with-the-easiest-and-hardest-grades/

Why not just go to a CSU first then transfer to an OOS or private school afterwards if you have the grades?

If cost is your main consideration the CC then UC route would work best. However, be aware that some of the more competitive medical schools don't accept pre-req courses from CCs.

 

[allojay]

I'm going to be honest with you...the path to medical school is such: Graduate HS, go to College, get degree, dominate MCAT's, get clinical experience, volunteer, get solid letters, shadow, and rock the apps. Many may disagree with me, but where you go to college doesn't really make a huge difference if you're going to go to med school. Your application for med school is more than your undergrad school. If you can get into a solid college program and maintain a high GPA, that's good enough. Just make sure your MCAT is solid. The MCAT is the great equalizer bc it puts everyone on the same page. It doesn't matter if you went to Harvard or some low tier CC, doing well on the MCAT tells adcoms that you're a solid applicant. Obviously, there's more to your app than 'numbers' but don't stress yourself by thinking your chances are any less by not going to an ivy school. I actually think I came across a post, where the OP went to a top undergrad program, had a solid mcat and only got into one program after applying to many. So, my point is that there's more to your app than whether or not you got that Harvard degree. Good luck bud!

 

[hotrodsduo]

Go to a community college, kill it. Transfer to UC. The transfer process from CC to UC is far more friendly than from CSU to UC (which is very difficult from what I understand). Community colleges in CA usually have a transfer agreement like TAG or ULink to allow students to transfer seamlessly. There is no such agreement between CSU and UC.

I recently attended an admissions meeting at UCSD and they suggested this route in the event someone was not accepted as a freshman. I wouldn't want to risk being stuck at a CSU with just a small possibility of being able to transfer when a more concrete path is available.

You will also hear people say that the undergrad institution doesn't matter when applying to med school, and if you apply broadly, it might not. However, locally, schools know that CSU is considered the easier route and will have questions as to why you didn't shoot for a UC. Unfortunately, I have talked to 3 people first hand who went to a CSU, got competative stats and ended up in the Carribean because they just could not get an acceptance in the US (one being my child's pediatrician, so this isn't so say it is not a viable path). My two cents.

 

[Future_M.D]

Go to a community college, kill it. Transfer to UC. The transfer process from CC to UC is far more friendly than from CSU to UC (which is very difficult from what I understand). Community colleges in CA usually have a transfer agreement like TAG or ULink to allow students to transfer seamlessly. There is no such agreement between CSU and UC.

I recently attended an admissions meeting at UCSD and they suggested this route in the event someone was not accepted as a freshman. I wouldn't want to risk being stuck at a CSU with just a small possibility of being able to transfer when a more concrete path is available.

You will also hear people say that the undergrad institution doesn't matter when applying to med school, and if you apply broadly, it might not. However, locally, schools know that CSU is considered the easier route and will have questions as to why you didn't shoot for a UC. Unfortunately, I have talked to 3 people first hand who went to a CSU, got competative stats and ended up in the Carribean because they just could not get an acceptance in the US (one being my child's pediatrician, so this isn't so say it is not a viable path). My two cents.

You're right, thanks! However, I do plan on double majoring which I do believe will be more complicating if I go to a CC first.

 

[hotrodsduo]

How so? You just get your general studies out of the way at the CC (low level english/math/arts/humanities/social sciences). You can transfer after you have only 60 credits. If you get IGETC certification (all general ed done at CC), most UCs consider that = to the first 2 years of studies they require of every student regardless of major. The generals will be similar for all students. Usually the upper level courses are what are going to be major specific and are recommended all be done at UC.