NESCAC to top med schools?

[Axes]

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So clearly elite med schools seem to prefer students coming from elite undergrads. My question is, and hopefully I can get an Admissions Committee Member's input on this, how do medical schools view the good but not "elite" NESCAC schools? Specifically Bowdoin? TY

 

[Pacna]

Your school probably has stats on % who apply/get in to med school. If it's not on their website, I'd call and ask. Comparing that number to other colleges would be more illuminating than any specific ADCOM member in my opinion, because your real question is "does my institution help or hurt my chances?"

 

[Lamel]

So clearly elite med schools seem to prefer students coming from elite undergrads. My question is, and hopefully I can get an Admissions Committee Member's input on this, how do medical schools view the good but not "elite" NESCAC schools? Specifically Bowdoin? TY

Not exactly. Students at elite schools generally tend to have higher scores and better accomplishments. There is of course some inherent preference, but not enough to preclude those from Bowdoin from a chance at a prestigious school. Would it be nice if you were at a top undergrad? Yes. Is it a prerequisite? No.


Simply put: top schools accept from all over the place. Do your best.

 

[WingedOx]

Not exactly. Students at elite schools generally tend to have higher scores and better accomplishments. There is of course some inherent preference, but not enough to preclude those from Bowdoin from a chance at a prestigious school. Would it be nice if you were at a top undergrad? Yes. Is it a prerequisite? No.


Simply put: top schools accept from all over the place. Do your best.

ummmmmm, Bowdoin is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

In what screwed up perspective of the world is a school like Bowdoin not "elite"?

 

[Lamel]

ummmmmm, Bowdoin is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

In what screwed up perspective of the world is a school like Bowdoin not "elite"?

I'll admit I didn't really know that (since the OP says himself "good but not elite"); but then even better for the OP, he has nothing to worry about in terms of school prestige.

 

[Axes]

TY all. I did check the school stats but they combine DO and MD acceptance rate so their total thing is like 85% or something (obviously nothing against DO schools just not my goal.) And idk at my school the only schools that are considered elite are ivies, comparables, and amherst/Williams. We are a prep school and it's considered pretty easy to get in to the other LACs. Thanks to all

 

[WingedOx]

And idk at my school the only schools that are considered elite are ivies, comparables, and amherst/Williams.

Unsolicited life advice:

Get as far away from your HS as you possibly can and never look back.

 

[Axes]

Hahaha, noted. The other thing making me worry was that I was on MDapplications and I didn't see many students from small LACs in general making it to top med schools, it was mainly ivies and top 20 universities. Of course hat could just be because small LACs, as the name suggests, have way fewer students.

 

[gyngyn]

I had to google nescac.

 

[WingedOx]

I had to google nescac.

I did too, but if you were to pair up the top 8 schools in that conference with the 8 Ivys in terms of quality of undergraduate education, it's not a stretch to say that the former may come out ahead or even. For a sports conference that's a powerhouse of academic quality.

 

[gyngyn]

I did too, but if you were to pair up the top 8 schools in that conference with the 8 Ivys in terms of quality of undergraduate education, it's not a stretch to say that the former may come out ahead or even. For a sports conference that's a powerhouse of academic quality.

I happen to have a soft spot for small LAC's. Must be those sweet Williams kids. And who wouldn't love Reed's school motto!

 

[WingedOx]

I happen to have a soft spot for small LAC's. Must be those sweet Williams kids. And who wouldn't love Reed's school motto!

Oh I'm an LAC advocate all the way, though For every Williams theres a Wheaton (IL).

 

[Axes]

Yeah Nescac=Ivy in terms of quality, but for that matter I think good state schools are on that level too. It's all perception after a point, and no one can beat the Ivies there

 

[gyngyn]

Oh I'm an LAC advocate all the way, though For every Williams theres a Wheaton (IL).

I can't say I recall a single applicant from Wheaton...

 

[WingedOx]

I can't say I recall a single applicant from Wheaton...

Of course you're in SoCal (?), so regionally I'm not sure that you have any similar schools near you. In the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic you have a bigger pool of applicants from academically solid but "not-so-progressive" institutions. My own school had students from Liberty and Grove City when I was there.*

*both very nice people though though the former's facebook page groups were a little scary.

 

[Catalystik]

I can't say I recall a single applicant from Wheaton...

It's more in my ballpark than yours, aka, Fly-Over Country.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Ivies like to inbreed, but I know people from strong LACs at top schools too, so I wouldn't worry about it and just do the best that you can. If your application is strong, you'll likely do well regardless of where you come from. Does pedigree help? Sure, but it's not necessary nor sufficient.