Is there anyone in here who goes to a university that isn't well known?

[BoxinMoxin]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I go to a university that is not even ranked by US World News and Report, it isn't even known outside of my state although it is accredited. Thing is I have met some bright kids at my university, it has caring professors, and some grad students have gone to med school, some have got their masters at reputed schools, one kid at my university made it into yale medical school, and basically that is that.

Thing is, most of the top students here who receive great grades their first year or so end up transferring to the state flagship university. My university people say serves the purpose of a community college in most cases.

Quite a bit of students here who are over 25 years old and just coming back to college.

Now the question I want to ask students who go to similar schools is this. Do you ever get the feeling that you are missing out on a lot and that it will severely limit you in lets say getting into a top 15 med school if you wanted to?

 

[chiapet874]

I go to a university that is not even ranked by US World News and Report, it isn't even known outside of my state although it is accredited. Thing is I have met some bright kids at my university, it has caring professors, and some grad students have gone to med school, some have got their masters at reputed schools, one kid at my university made it into yale medical school, and basically that is that.

Thing is, most of the top students here who receive great grades their first year or so end up transferring to the state flagship university. My university people say serves the purpose of a community college in most cases.

Quite a bit of students here who are over 25 years old and just coming back to college.

Now the question I want to ask students who go to similar schools is this. Do you ever get the feeling that you are missing out on a lot and that it will severely limit you in lets say getting into a top 15 med school if you wanted to?

The general consensus is that the prestige of the undergrad schools you go to plays little or no part in the application process. The key is to make do with what you got and present that to the ADCOMs.

In addition, U.S. New School Rankings means virtually nothing. You sound like you are happy there- that's the most important thing of all.

 

[centrigeugle]

Really dude? There's a poll on the front page asking the VERY SAME THING.

If you can't read, you'll never make a good doctor.

 

[kpcrew]

seems like you have serious issues with confidence
probably should address that.

 

[UnclePhil]

Now the question I want to ask students who go to similar schools is this. Do you ever get the feeling that you are missing out on a lot and that it will severely limit you in lets say getting into a top 15 med school if you wanted to?

No offense, but the low grades, general awkwardness and lack of self confidence that you constantly allude to you in your other threads is what is going to keep you out of a top 15 med school.

 

[Gigantron]

I go to a university that is not even ranked by US World News and Report, it isn't even known outside of my state although it is accredited. Thing is I have met some bright kids at my university, it has caring professors, and some grad students have gone to med school, some have got their masters at reputed schools, one kid at my university made it into yale medical school, and basically that is that.

Thing is, most of the top students here who receive great grades their first year or so end up transferring to the state flagship university. My university people say serves the purpose of a community college in most cases.

Quite a bit of students here who are over 25 years old and just coming back to college.

Now the question I want to ask students who go to similar schools is this. Do you ever get the feeling that you are missing out on a lot and that it will severely limit you in lets say getting into a top 15 med school if you wanted to?

I had the chance to go to some pretty great schools after High School, but chose to go to my "no-name" university because of the opportunities it offered me, namely a BS/MD program that I had my sights on as a high school senior. Now that I'm in it, I could theoretically just cruise through with a 3.5 and a 24 on the MCAT in order to keep my spot in medical school. But that doesn't mean I'll actually do that.

Honestly, your college is what you make of it. Regardless of whether or not it is a "no-name" university shouldn't have any influence on how well do on your pre-reqs and how well you can do on the MCAT, which is considered the main equalizer for medical school applicants. That part is up to YOU. Sure, I could've gone to a school like NYU, but I often think that I would be hard pressed to achieve top grades simply because the competition is much more stifling. I decided, instead, to go where the opportunities were, and I feel better because of it. I'm certainly happy that I came here too.

Even though I'm not in a "ranked" school, I have a guaranteed medical school acceptance through my BS/MD program while, at the same time, I can always apply out if my stats are high enough. Who knows, maybe I could get into a "Top" medical school...but I could care less honestly. I have caring professors (and ZERO TA's) that love to teach, and present material in a way that is completely easy to understand. There are great facilities, research opportunities, etc. that I'm actually surprised that it isn't ranked higher.

In short, becoming a physician is more certain for me than what most of your typical pre-meds face, especially with competition increasing every single year. Those are qualities which I believe set me apart from those who chose to go to schools based on "prestige" alone.

I understand that I'm an exception in this case, as not many "low ranked" schools have BS/MD programs with a great medical school to begin with (if you consider WVU's school of medicine "high ranking"...whatever that means), but I wouldn't take back anything right now. Even if I were to be given an opportunity to go to a "top ranked" college, I wouldn't leave. You shouldn't have to feel inadequate because US News (a VERY subjective source for ranking, by the way) didn't rank your school. Instead, with less students (I'm just assuming your school isn't very large...correct me if I'm wrong), it should be VERY easy to find opportunities that can help set your CV apart from many other applicants. 🙂


TL;DR - No. I don't think it would "limit" me.

 

[BoxinMoxin]

the fact it is unknown does not hurt me, what hurts is that it is 6 minutes away from my house but regardless it just makes me feel inferior because so many of my friends went off to unc chapel hill, nyu, stanford, yale, princeton, harvard

I always wanted to know how it was like being at some sort of a competitive kind of university, of course my friends who went off to those colleges did not go to the same high school as me

 

[BoxinMoxin]

I am living at home during college, I hate that experience, and I am in the same town for college that I was in during high school which is really depressing for me

 

[UnclePhil]

I am living at home during college, I hate that experience, and I am in the same town for college that I was in during high school which is really depressing for me

Move out then. Seriously, all your posts are about this, how much your college sucks, how much you hate living at home, how much you wish you went to your "state flagship" university (which I'm going to assume is UNC, because while it is a great school, no one else would throw UNC into the same batch as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford). Maybe you should actually do something about it, like making the grades so you can transfer out.

If you don't actually have the initiative to get out of your situation, then it's either...

1) not that bad and you just like to bitch and moan or
2) you are not willing to take steps necessary, and that is all on you and you have no reason to complain to the rest of the world about it (for any other reason than you just like complaining).

Whining anonymously on an internet message board is not going to get you anywhere. It doesn't get you out of your school or out of your house. If you just want a place to vent your frustration, then go see a therapist. I'm not trying to be a dick but maybe you should think about whether your life sucks badly enough for you to actually take some initiative. If it doesn't, then you just suck it up like the rest of us.

 

[Gigantron]

the fact it is unknown does not hurt me, what hurts is that it is 6 minutes away from my house but regardless it just makes me feel inferior because so many of my friends went off to unc chapel hill, nyu, stanford, yale, princeton, harvard

I always wanted to know how it was like being at some sort of a competitive kind of university, of course my friends who went off to those colleges did not go to the same high school as me

Dude, if you don't like your college for personal reasons, then move out. It's your prerogative. Your question was if we thought that "non-ranked" schools limit our ability to matriculate into a top 15 medical school. I said no. It's clear, however, that this inferiority complex of yours stems far deeper than just the feelings of uncertainty when it comes to getting into medical school.

Personally, if I hated my school that much, I would get the best grades that I could for the first semester and apply out by the time it ends. I'm not going to do that obviously, but again it's to your prerogative.

 

[BoxinMoxin]

I feel intimidated. Like even at my university some professors sometimes take class time to say things like students who go to Harvard will all be successful in life and they will have a lot of opportunities and they will go on to do great things. In a way it makes me feel like, why am I even in college?

Like if I am not at a well known school, am I just going to end up working an average job living pay check to pay check.

 

[Stumpyman]

Jeez, you're like an itch that can never be scratched....

If you're really interested in a career in medicine, then it really doesn't matter what you're professors/friends are saying as long as you keep good grades/score well on the MCAT.

You might also want to look into your evident confidence issues.

 

[UnclePhil]

I feel intimidated. Like even at my university some professors sometimes take class time to say things like students who go to Harvard will all be successful in life and they will have a lot of opportunities and they will go on to do great things. In a way it makes me feel like, why am I even in college?

Like if I am not at a well known school, am I just going to end up working an average job living pay check to pay check.

Dude, what is even the point of posting on this forum if you are just going to ignore what other people tell you?

Again... and I do want to make it perfectly clear so there is no misunderstanding... if it's not bad enough that you are not willing to take some action, then it's not that bad. If you don't care enough to do something about it yourself, then trust me, do not expect anonymous strangers on the internet to either. If you just want to talk about how crappy your life is, there are people who are paid to listen to you whine, they are called therapists. If your confidence is really this bad, then I think you probably need one.

 

[NickNaylor]

I feel intimidated. Like even at my university some professors sometimes take class time to say things like students who go to Harvard will all be successful in life and they will have a lot of opportunities and they will go on to do great things. In a way it makes me feel like, why am I even in college?

Like if I am not at a well known school, am I just going to end up working an average job living pay check to pay check.

I went to an undergrad that, if anything, is known for being a bit backward. I'm currently at a top 20 med school.

If you don't get into a good school, it's your fault, not the fault of your undergrad.

 

[UnclePhil]

I went to an undergrad that, if anything, is known for being a bit backward. I'm currently at a top 20 med school.

If you don't get into a good school, it's your fault, not the fault of your undergrad.

aren't you on a full ride?

 

[Guy Montag]

The general consensus is that the prestige of the undergrad schools you go to plays little or no part in the application process.

Not really true. I've personally heard a few admissions members say that it's one of the first things they look at. It will never make or break an application though (a few admissions websites even state it, including the AAMC's site). It's mostly used to consider lower GPA candidates from places that deflate, or to evaluate candidates from places that inflate. If there is a major disparity between the two, it can be valuable information (i.e. someone from Princeton with a 3.2/35). Of course, MCAT is the metric they use to estimate success in the first two years of their curricula.

I always wanted to know how it was like being at some sort of a competitive kind of university

It's the same as at any other university, except if you aren't at a place that inflates it is very difficult. If you are successful at one university, you can be successful at another, although the grades may not be the exact same.

 

[NickNaylor]

aren't you on a full ride?

Full tuition, yes.

 

[BoxinMoxin]

Dude, what is even the point of posting on this forum if you are just going to ignore what other people tell you?

Again... and I do want to make it perfectly clear so there is no misunderstanding... if it's not bad enough that you are not willing to take some action, then it's not that bad. If you don't care enough to do something about it yourself, then trust me, do not expect anonymous strangers on the internet to either. If you just want to talk about how crappy your life is, there are people who are paid to listen to you whine, they are called therapists. If your confidence is really this bad, then I think you probably need one.

Thanks for being supportive, I seriously mean it. It is just that even when I ignore it and it comes up so much it makes me want to just reconsider my life again and see if there is a future for me but this place is making it a bit more clear....

 

[BHaus9]

I feel intimidated. Like even at my university some professors sometimes take class time to say things like students who go to Harvard will all be successful in life and they will have a lot of opportunities and they will go on to do great things. In a way it makes me feel like, why am I even in college?

That never happened. Not even once.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Hey man you got the answer to your question. Just do really well in school. What school you came from has very little bearing on your application. Also, some schools are unknown but pay there professors very well and as a result attract some top notch people to teach. So it doesn't necessarily mean you receive a poorer education because your school is unknown to the rest of the country. For example the CUNY's.

If you really are so miserable then move out of home and get a job and goto school par time somewhere else. Otherwise get a therapist!

 

[willen101383]

Hey man you got the answer to your question. Just do really well in school. What school you came from has very little bearing on your application. Also, some schools are unknown but pay there professors very well and as a result attract some top notch people to teach. So it doesn't necessarily mean you receive a poorer education because your school is unknown to the rest of the country. For example the CUNY's.

If you really are so miserable then move out of home and get a job and goto school par time somewhere else. Otherwise get a therapist!

SUNY middle of fcking nowhere grad here. I think I am actually the only person in my bio major that ended up in medical school (that small).

 

[Bforn]

Yes, I go to a "no-name" school. Everyone else in this thread is correct in saying that GPA and MCAT (+ ECs) will speak for themselves.

 

[gmcguitar4]

SUNY middle of fcking nowhere grad here. I think I am actually the only person in my bio major that ended up in medical school (that small).

I suspect Oneonta.

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

At least you don't go to a community college like me, god forbid! Although my chemistry teacher used to teach at UPenn but teaches at my cc now lol...

 

[HeavyMetalMiss]

i go to a Community College. but i LOVE it. doesn't matter to me that it's not a University... my grades and effort are what counts.

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

i go to a Community College. but i LOVE it. doesn't matter to me that it's not a University... my grades and effort are what counts.

yeah i'm thinking the same thing... 👍

 

[shinbeats]

Is George Mason University known?

 

[Thales]

At least you don't go to a community college like me, god forbid! Although my chemistry teacher used to teach at UPenn but teaches at my cc now lol...

I go to a community college. My AP/Bio teacher worked for the CDC and taught at FSU and UNC, now she's got a family and likes the workload of a smaller school. I dig my school's size though I'll have to transfer to another school to finish my undergrad.

OP needs to either transfer or just stick it out and do well.

 

[chiz2kul]

No offense, but the low grades, general awkwardness and lack of self confidence that you constantly allude to you in your other threads is what is going to keep you out of a top 15 med school.

top 20 good to go then?

 

[willen101383]

I suspect Oneonta.

Wrong! Cortland. There wasnt even a premed club/dept/anything when I graduated there in Dec 05. Although good guess! Oneonta was even ****tier haha (no offense to any oneonta people here...although i suspect there arent lol)

 

[UnclePhil]

top 20 good to go then?

Sorry, I said top 15 because OP said "top 15" in his original post.

What I really should've said was "medical school, period."

 

[Stumpyman]

Is George Mason University known?

It's getting better every year.

 

[Drogo]

lol I'm at a CC right now and will be transferring very soon to a decent research university , not a flagship state school but it will serve its purpose which is getting me my bachelor's and there's many hospitals nearby with many volunteer/shadowing opportunities. Another reason is I'm going to get crazy amounts of scholarships because of it's affiliation with my CC and I get to jump into the honors program. See what I'm doing? I'm doing the best in my current 'unique' situation, do the same.

You have to make do with your situation, look at it this way you could be another unambitious soul who isn't even going to a college at all, but seriously c'mon your posts boom with over-anal-yzation and exaggeration.

 

[Stumpyman]

lol I'm at a CC right now and will be transferring very soon to a decent research university , not a flagship state school but it will serve its purpose which is getting me my bachelor's and there's many hospitals nearby with many volunteer/shadowing opportunities. Another reason is I'm going to get crazy amounts of scholarships because of it's affiliation with my CC and I get to jump into the honors program. See what I'm doing? I'm doing the best in my current 'unique' situation, do the same.

You have to make do with your situation, look at it this way you could be another unambitious soul who isn't even going to a college at all, but seriously c'mon your posts boom with over-anal-yzation and exaggeration.

The CC I spent my first 2 semesters at had ZERO clinical volunteering opportunities. I seriously applied to every hospital/clinic in the area.

 

[Drogo]

The CC I spent my first 2 semesters at had ZERO clinical volunteering opportunities. I seriously applied to every hospital/clinic in the area.

Sorry to hear that bud, but I have a lot of things going for me in that I'm a pretty charming handsome guy and I can be damn smooth when it comes to getting proactive about things. I can also be a relentless bastard at times.

 

[Stumpyman]

Sorry to hear that bud, but I have a lot of things going for me in that I'm a pretty charming handsome guy and I can be damn smooth when it comes to getting proactive about things. I can also be a relentless bastard at times.

I don't think it was my lack of sexuality that got me rejected from every hospital/clinic in the area. I mean hey, I look pretty hot myself when I slick my unibrow back, wear my wig, and trim my nose hair.

 

[raltima07]

One point id like to make - at every top 20-30 school I have interviewed at, the majority of other interviewees were from top 20-30 school (undergrad). Except me.

It is what you make of it. I'm sure that if I had the same app with the Harvard name on it, I would have had plenty more interviews. Seeing how many I have now, I don't think it would have made me any difference.

My school is only known for sports, if that.

You can do it.

Go America. Go Humans.

 

[NickNaylor]

One point id like to make - at every top 20-30 school I have interviewed at, the majority of other interviewees were from top 20-30 school (undergrad). Except me.

It is what you make of it. I'm sure that if I had the same app with the Harvard name on it, I would have had plenty more interviews. Seeing how many I have now, I don't think it would have made me any difference.

My school is only known for sports, if that.

You can do it.

Go America. Go Humans.

Definitely true - I had an identical experience. It's a bit disconcerting to be the ONLY person in an interview group not from an Ivy or other nationally known university.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Since the professors at the top medical programs most likely were in top 20 schools for undergrad, they will probably take students that went to the same school as them. I also feel like there is more comradery between people who went to ivy league schools as opposed to other institutions. They already have a general idea of the type of student they are getting.

 

[raltima07]

Definitely true - I had an identical experience. It's a bit disconcerting to be the ONLY person in an interview group not from an Ivy or other nationally known university.

When they would go around the room introducing everyone, they would come to me and say my name and school.

Then people would be like....where is that exactly? But its cool I guess - they must think I am a superstar or something if I was invited from a "lesser" school.

 

[BoxinMoxin]

this thread reminds me of the just world fallacy article