Help deciding between two schools

[BoaBoaImDerek]

So here is my dilemma. I am deciding between two school to take my pre-med courses as a post-bach non traditional student. I already have some volunteering in the medical field under my belt, and am about to start a year long internship at a hospital in the medical center under a high-profile MD, which will have research opportunities.

So, here are the choices:

U of Houston Main Campus vs. U of Houston Downtown

Main Campus:

Pros: fairly well known, respected university that does internationally respected research etc. Nationally known professors, diverse, and probably overall a serious student body in the pre-med classes.

Cons: classes will be somewhat harder than at the other school on the list, further from my house and an insane parking situation (more time wasted every week, stress)

Downtown:

Pros: classes will be more reasonable, so getting a higher GPA will undoubtedly be more attainable, minutes from my house, some research being done but nothing like Main campus.

Cons: greater concentration of "jokers", i.e. not serious students who have no business in pre-med, not as well known or ranked as high.

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So, my thought is at the end of the day, (since let's be real, this isn't apples to oranges we are not comparing U of H to Yale or something) my GPA matters more and that I should go to where I can get this best grades. However, if there is a moment where I am neck and neck with some other students on an admissions person's desk, they might go for someone who went to a better school when push comes to shove. So its a GPA vs. prestige argument I think.

As far as other schools such as Rice this isn't an option as they do not have a post-bach program of any kind. I have not liked what I have heard about St. Thomas, plus its too expensive. So these are my choices. Any thought or advice would be appreciated, thanks!

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[drimpossible]

One vote for the cheaper and easier (logistically and academically) school. Research EC's make up for a lack of research strength at your post-bacc university. Ignore the jokers and ace your classes. Ad-coms won't care if your Physics professor is Stephen Hawking or Stephen Colbert. Well, they might, but they won't be able to tell from your AMCAS transcript.

 

[EdLongshanks]

_____________________________________________________________________

So, my thought is at the end of the day, (since let's be real, this isn't apples to oranges we are not comparing U of H to Yale or something) my GPA matters more and that I should go to where I can get this best grades. However, if there is a moment where I am neck and neck with some other students on an admissions person's desk, they might go for someone who went to a better school when push comes to shove. So its a GPA vs. prestige argument I think.

As far as other schools such as Rice this isn't an option as they do not have a post-bach program of any kind. I have not liked what I have heard about St. Thomas, plus its too expensive. So these are my choices. Any thought or advice would be appreciated, thanks!

I don't think that admissions decisions are that close so that the particular campus one attended will matter.

 

[spacemanxxx]

UTSW Medical Student host I stayed with during my interview there last week was from UHD, and he had a perfect GPA. Since its more convenient, easier classes, and can get you into a great med school, I vote for UHD.

 

[BoaBoaImDerek]

Thanks for the responses so far, it's really helpful. Also, anyone who has a Tobias Funke avatar has instant credibility in my book.

Tobias Fünke: [auditioning] Hello, my name is Dr. Tobias Funke. I graduated with honors from Boston College and I did my post-graduate in psycho-linguistics at MIT. And this is "You're A Bad, Bad, Man" from "Annie Get Your Gun."

Comedic genius.

 

[V1Rotate]

Just wanted to say hey to the OP. Im getting close to starting my pre-reqs. I was seriously considering UH-main and hadn't really given thought to UHD. I'm definitely going to look into the downtown campus now.

 

[BoaBoaImDerek]

Just wanted to say hey to the OP. Im getting close to starting my pre-reqs. I was seriously considering UH-main and hadn't really given thought to UHD. I'm definitely going to look into the downtown campus now.

You should. Feel free to PM me with any thoughts/comments.

 

[drimpossible]

Thanks for the responses so far, it's really helpful. Also, anyone who has a Tobias Funke avatar has instant credibility in my book.

Tobias Fünke: [auditioning] Hello, my name is Dr. Tobias Funke. I graduated with honors from Boston College and I did my post-graduate in psycho-linguistics at MIT. And this is "You're A Bad, Bad, Man" from "Annie Get Your Gun."

Comedic genius.

 

[ChE04]

Eh, I go to UH Main, and parking isn't an issue if you don't mind walking or waiting for a bus a little bit (I walk... It's maybe 5 minutes to the science classrooms). There's a lot on the south side that never fills up. Don't know about the difficulty difference between the two, but so far it has not been a problem maintaining A's here. I think you might be giving too much credit to the student body here... They aren't exactly the pinnacle of academic ambition. Same as most schools I guess; a few overachievers but mostly they are just regular college kids ok with getting B's. Also surprised you'd mention distance being an issue, as UH-D is maybe 10 min from the main campus... Whatever floats your boat though.