undergrad matters?

[morganlefay]

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So yes, I did a search on this topic, and came up with only one thread that didn't answer my question. How much does your undergrad matter when it comes to adcoms? I am afraid that my undergrad, being not very well known, (but still a good school academically), will set me at a disadvantage. I know premeds from Eckerd have gone to UVA, Duke, Tufts, etc... yet I still am wary. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[IndyZX]

It matters somewhat. You may be passed over at first, but if you have excelled in college, you will do fine.

 

[iamgoaloriented]

As long as you are a strong, well rounded applicant you should stand as much chance as anyone. Supposedly some schools are big on keeping the ivy league pedigree, but Im not sure that is true (people who get rejected by schools often have some kind of excuse for not getting in), and if it is true is that the kind of school you want to go to anyway?

In fact, some schools rave about how they are so devoted to diversity and have applicants from all over the country that going to a relatively unheard of school might even help you stand out.

I wouldnt worry about it. Be well rounded in your talents and experiences, try to convince the school you are applying to that you fit their mission, and try to stand out in any good way that you can. Other than that and being lucky, those are the best things you can do to get into med school if you ask me.

 

[aparecida]

You mean which undergrad institution you attend?

It's taken into account somewhat in assessing your GPA, but that's the reason for the MCAT, PS, LORs, ECs, and interview -- to equalize things across institutions. I wouldn't worry about it (especially as there's nothing you can do about it at this point!...).

 

[morganlefay]

Thanks for the comments, that's hopeful 🙂 any others' thoughts?

 

[marr]

Why should you be worry? You want to get into Harvard? Don't worry about it and by the way can you ever change where you graduated from. Good Luck

 

[Jack_Adam]

I think you'll be okay. You might want to consider more the percentage of applicants from your school who are accepted to medical school. Your pre-med office should have statistics on this. For example, Berkeley actually only had about a 60% acceptance rate for the past 5 years for all med school applicants while Notre Dame has had around an 80% acceptance rate for all applicants. This statistic is skewed by the # of students who apply, but it gives you a general idea of what your chances are in relation to your undergrad school/GPA/MCAT. Best of luck! 🙂

EDIT: Also take a look at the schools ppl from your school get into. I'm not sure about Berkeley, but Notre Dame students fare well in the quality of schools to which they are accepted. In the end, all that matters is that you're happy where you're going! 👍

 

[jlee9531]

look undergrad matters in certain cases.

if you have a strong gpa and mcat, then it doesn't matter where you come from. even if its all from a community college it is not gonna matter.

now when you have a low gpa, then your undergrad will matter more. for example if you are a science major at a undergrad that is traditionally known to be rigorous, then they are going to be more lenient...especially if your mcat score shows that you know your stuff.

now if you have a low gpa low mcat, i dont care what school you went to. its not gonna help.

 

[Fermata]

It depends on where you go to school now and where you are applying.

In the larger scheme of things it doesn't mean that much, though.