Is it worth it to go to a harder school?

[Kimaris]

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I originally spent a year at VCU, however, due to financial constraints I had to drop out. After spending a semester at my local VCCS I have come to realize that I stand a decent chance of getting into a higher tier school, UVA, Tech and W&M. However, I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea. From my brief stint at VCU I felt that the classes was fairly relaxed. I'd imagine it would be a different story at the other colleges I mentioned. Is it worth it to go to a harder school even though I'd probably get a higher GPA at VCU? This question applies to both medical school admissions and in general.

 

[MiniMoo]

I would go to the school where you're able to perform better. Name recognition means squat if your GPA takes a nosedive.

 

[Perrotfish]

Is it worth it to go to a harder school even though I'd probably get a higher GPA at VCU? This question applies to both medical school admissions and in general.

The problem is that the advice you'd get for 'in general' is the opposite of the advice you'd get for medical school admissions. In the job market: yes, I'd say the name on your degree generally has a much greater effect on your future career prospects than the GPA that you got at that institution. For medical school admissions, though, your GPA matters WAY more than where you got it from. So I guess the question is, how sure are you that you're a premed?

 

[thejetplane]

I originally spent a year at VCU, however, due to financial constraints I had to drop out. After spending a semester at my local VCCS I have come to realize that I stand a decent chance of getting into a higher tier school, UVA, Tech and W&M. However, I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea. From my brief stint at VCU I felt that the classes was fairly relaxed. I'd imagine it would be a different story at the other colleges I mentioned. Is it worth it to go to a harder school even though I'd probably get a higher GPA at VCU? This question applies to both medical school admissions and in general.

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[Kimaris]

The problem is that the advice you'd get for 'in general' is the opposite of the advice you'd get for medical school admissions. In the job market: yes, I'd say the name on your degree generally has a much greater effect on your future career prospects than the GPA that you got at that institution. For medical school admissions, though, your GPA matters WAY more than where you got it from. So I guess the question is, how sure are you that you're a premed?

I want to go to medical school because I like the idea of having a decent paying job that has a direct and positive affect on the lives of other. If I didn't go to medical school my second choice would be Psychology.

 

[flip26]

If you want to go to med school at UVA, you will have a much better shot, assuming you make a majority of As there, to get accepted if you attend UVA undergrad, or W&M undergrad. This is no guarantee, but you will increase your chances significantly at the SOM if you go to UVA undergrad and you perform well there (grad with 3.7+)..

If you simply want to get into med school somewhere, VCU is perfectly adequate and may be the better choice for you.

If you go to UVA and make less than say a 3.5, you may screw up your shot at all med schools. Academically, UVA is a much tougher school than VCU...this may be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" conundrum.

 

[Narmerguy]

Go with the easier school if you think you can do well enough there to get accepted. I probably would advocate going there if you intend to pursue psychology graduate schools as well though.

 

[Practitioner]

Short answer to question: No. Not worth it.

Go where you'll have higher GPA. Perrotfish said it well.

 

[SirGecko]

I'd say that there are two answers here. The first is that it isn't worth it for admissions. Higher GPA is almost always going to trump name on the diploma. (only if they are close would it really make a difference)

The second answer is that it could be worth it, just not from an admissions perspective. I went to a very difficult undergraduate program at a difficult undergraduate school. It didn't help me get into medical school. (think Indiana Jones slipping under the door at the last minute and you'll know what my admissions experience was like) I felt it prepared me really well for medical school though. (and life in general)