State school vs big OOS research uni?

[xnfs93hy]

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I am an NJ resident and so I only have the UMDNJ system in state. However, while nothing is concrete yet, I'm pretty sure that I want to go to college in state but do not know if I can make it into Rutgers, which is I'm pretty sure is the only good research university in NJ.

There are other good schools in NJ that I'm sure could easily get me into med school but none of them are really know for research and aren't extremely big like Rutgers:NB.

I am considering just doing the CC route but I really do not want to do that. I can get into a lot of state schools, public and private but I cannot get into Rutgers. Will this kill my chances?

How important is research? I mean, UMDNJ isn't extremely competitive but you still need a 3.5-3.6. What about extracurrics? Clubs?

If you do not go to a "Public research university", how would you go about actually doing research?

Honestly, I know I shouldn't be concerned about this, but I am. I really want to make sure I am going to the right school that will help me get into my states' medical school.

Should I stay in state then? I know I could get into better in state schools than OOS ones. But I just want to know if I am limiting my options.

 

[Depakote]

I am an NJ resident and so I only have the UMDNJ system in state. However, while nothing is concrete yet, I'm pretty sure that I want to go to college in state but do not know if I can make it into Rutgers, which is I'm pretty sure is the only good research university in NJ.

Well, you can always apply to Rutgers and a few OOS schools and see what your options are... then go to a CC if everything falls through.

There are other good schools in NJ that I'm sure could easily get me into med school but none of them are really know for research and aren't extremely big like Rutgers:NB.

It isn't the university that gets you into school. It's the work you do there. You could go to Princeton (also in NJ) tank your coursework, and the fact that it's a great school wouldn't help you one bit.

I am considering just doing the CC route but I really do not want to do that. I can get into a lot of state schools, public and private but I cannot get into Rutgers. Will this kill my chances?

See above about applying before you've decided your chances. CC ->4 year can always be a backup plan.

How important is research? I mean, UMDNJ isn't extremely competitive but you still need a 3.5-3.6. What about extracurrics? Clubs?

If you do not go to a "Public research university", how would you go about actually doing research?

Research helps, but it won't make or break you. Grades and Test Scores are more important. You'll need clinical experience. Research would probably rank rank somewhere above club activities.

Honestly, I know I shouldn't be concerned about this, but I am. I really want to make sure I am going to the right school that will help me get into my states' medical school.

Should I stay in state then? I know I could get into better in state schools than OOS ones. But I just want to know if I am limiting my options.

As long as you retain your state residency (don't start paying taxes, changing your drivers license, buying land, etc in the other state) you still have the option of going to med school in your state. If not, wherever you wind up getting residency will probably have a school you can go to. You can go to undergrad out of state and come back for med school. It's not that big of a deal.



The point of what I just said?

Apply to schools before you decide they're going to reject you. You've been running through a lot of Plan B scenarios, just stop. It's fine to have a backup plan, but don't plan on implementing it until Plan A fails.

 

[Caesar]

Apply to schools before you decide they're going to reject you... It's fine to have a backup plan, but don't plan on implementing it until Plan A fails.

This.

 

[TexanGirl]

I am an NJ resident and so I only have the UMDNJ system in state. However, while nothing is concrete yet, I'm pretty sure that I want to go to college in state but do not know if I can make it into Rutgers, which is I'm pretty sure is the only good research university in NJ.

There are other good schools in NJ that I'm sure could easily get me into med school but none of them are really know for research and aren't extremely big like Rutgers:NB.

I am considering just doing the CC route but I really do not want to do that. I can get into a lot of state schools, public and private but I cannot get into Rutgers. Will this kill my chances?

How important is research? I mean, UMDNJ isn't extremely competitive but you still need a 3.5-3.6. What about extracurrics? Clubs?

If you do not go to a "Public research university", how would you go about actually doing research?

Honestly, I know I shouldn't be concerned about this, but I am. I really want to make sure I am going to the right school that will help me get into my states' medical school.

Should I stay in state then? I know I could get into better in state schools than OOS ones. But I just want to know if I am limiting my options.

How can you knock down all other universities in NJ like that? At most schools, whether they're known to be massive "public research universities" or not, faculty members conduct research. Sure, Rutgers may have many more labs to offer its undergraduates than other NJ state universities, but I'm equally sure that you can find good research opportunities at any other school. It's up to YOU to be proactive in procuring permission to work alongside profs in their labs. This may be easier at a smaller NJ college, where you can get to know your profs more intimately and personally than Rutgers.