Undergraduate Study

[Dan2]

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My goal is to become a physician and attend medical school, however cost of getting there right now is a little intimidating (I'm a high school senior). I have been accepted to UMass as well as other private schools, however the financial aid awards were less than satisfactory for the private schools. I feel that I would rather attend Umass to avoid entering debt before I even reach medical school, I am just wondering if my chances of getting into high end medical schools will be hurt by attending umass.

 

[Algophiliac]

This topic has been beaten to death repeatedly.

Some believe a more well-known, prestigious school will offer more opportunities and may give a very slight leeway on GPA, but UMass is a great school, so the differences will be negligble in my opinion. Attending UMass will not hinder you in becoming a physician.

I'd avoid debt in undergrad at all costs, especially in the current economy.

 

[niblet]

No, your chances will not be hurt. In the end, you get yourself into medical school, not your undergraduate institution. It'll be your prerogative--your MCAT score, your hard work, your involvement in extracurricular activities, and so on.

The higher acceptance rates at more prestigious schools is not a function of the schools in themselves, but of the academically driven individuals they're comprised of.

 

[Gallix23]

My goal is to become a physician and attend medical school, however cost of getting there right now is a little intimidating (I'm a high school senior). I have been accepted to UMass as well as other private schools, however the financial aid awards were less than satisfactory for the private schools. I feel that I would rather attend Umass to avoid entering debt before I even reach medical school, I am just wondering if my chances of getting into high end medical schools will be hurt by attending umass.

I'm in the same situation man. I got accepted to Northeastern and they offered me all this stuff like study abroad my 1st semester freshman year and all this stuff, however they gave me very little money to go along with it.

I also got accepted into Umass, and Emmanuel and some smaller private schools that give out a lot of money. This is where my dilemma is, because as much as I want to go to NU since they have a ton more opportunities, the money is a huge barrier.

 

[Depakote]

My goal is to become a physician and attend medical school, however cost of getting there right now is a little intimidating (I'm a high school senior). I have been accepted to UMass as well as other private schools, however the financial aid awards were less than satisfactory for the private schools. I feel that I would rather attend Umass to avoid entering debt before I even reach medical school, I am just wondering if my chances of getting into high end medical schools will be hurt by attending umass.

UMass is a great school. It won't hurt you, esp if your decision to attend there is primarily financial.


This just bears repeating, in medicine your individual success is the primary determinant of where you will go next. This means that someone from Podunk State U can get a 4.0 and 45 on their MCAT and wind up at Super Research University while someone who gets a 3.0 and a 25 on their MCAT at Super Private Ivy might not get in at all. It gets a little trickier with residency b/c making connections, presenting yourself and so forth does matter but a high USMLE Step I score can open a lot of doors just like a low USMLE Step I score can close them.

The point I was getting at is that you have a lot of control over your own destiny in medicine, where you went to school doesn't matter nearly as much as how you perform there and on your standardized exams.

 

[Salvorix]

My goal is to become a physician and attend medical school, however cost of getting there right now is a little intimidating (I'm a high school senior). I have been accepted to UMass as well as other private schools, however the financial aid awards were less than satisfactory for the private schools. I feel that I would rather attend Umass to avoid entering debt before I even reach medical school, I am just wondering if my chances of getting into high end medical schools will be hurt by attending umass.

It really is best not to go into debt, and UMASS is a great school (I'm from Massachusetts), so I think you should go to UMASS. Out of curiosity, which one were you accepted at? I have friends going to UMASS Amherst, Dartmouth, and Lowell.

 

[Dan2]

It really is best not to go into debt, and UMASS is a great school (I'm from Massachusetts), so I think you should go to UMASS. Out of curiosity, which one were you accepted at? I have friends going to UMASS Amherst, Dartmouth, and Lowell.

Amherst, both my parents went... so i guess I should know its not such a bad school ol

 

[Gallix23]

Amherst, both my parents went... so i guess I should know its not such a bad school ol

Amherst is actually the best one to attend pre-med at. Since it's the flagship school, it has the most money and things. Just don't be lured by the parties, I have a friend there that is pre-med that's slacking a little because of it.

If you can get into Commonwealth College (the honors college within Umass Amherst) it adds even more spice to your resume.

 

[MilkmanAl]

UMass is a great school. It won't hurt you, esp if your decision to attend there is primarily financial.


This just bears repeating, in medicine your individual success is the primary determinant of where you will go next. This means that someone from Podunk State U can get a 4.0 and 45 on their MCAT and wind up at Super Research University while someone who gets a 3.0 and a 25 on their MCAT at Super Private Ivy might not get in at all. It gets a little trickier with residency b/c making connections, presenting yourself and so forth does matter but a high USMLE Step I score can open a lot of doors just like a low USMLE Step I score can close them.

The point I was getting at is that you have a lot of control over your own destiny in medicine, where you went to school doesn't matter nearly as much as how you perform there and on your standardized exams.

Amen. Attend UMass, and be glad you're not going to graduate college with massive debt. You'll have plenty of time to sink your finances while in med school. 😛

 

[Dan2]

Amherst is actually the best one to attend pre-med at. Since it's the flagship school, it has the most money and things. Just don't be lured by the parties, I have a friend there that is pre-med that's slacking a little because of it.

If you can get into Commonwealth College (the honors college within Umass Amherst) it adds even more spice to your resume.

Yes I have been accepted to honors program and plan to do it (If I attend) and Im not worried about losing myself to parties, just not who I am lol

 

[Maygyver]

Yes I have been accepted to honors program and plan to do it (If I attend) and Im not worried about losing myself to parties, just not who I am lol

You mean you don't love sippin' purp and doin' E?

But yeah, honors programs definitely look good because they show you are able to take a rigorous load.

 

[xnfs93hy]

You mean you don't love sippin' purp and doin' E?

But yeah, honors programs definitely look good because they show you are able to take a rigorous load.

Just of of curiosity, let us just say I applied as a fall sophomore transfer after 1 year at my CC, applied in like April/May, and got accepted for that fall at OSU-Columbus.

Let's say I had a 3.8 GPA that year. Would I be able to do Honors at OSU? I have been meaning to ask you this question.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Amen. Attend UMass, and be glad you're not going to graduate college with massive debt. You'll have plenty of time to sink your finances while in med school. 😛

I know their Med school is good 👍.

 

[Salvorix]

Yes I have been accepted to honors program and plan to do it (If I attend) and Im not worried about losing myself to parties, just not who I am lol

So should definitely attend! Basically you have free tuition at the UMASS school with the best reputation/best funding/most research opportunities/best pre-med program 👍

 

[Maygyver]

Just of of curiosity, let us just say I applied as a fall sophomore transfer after 1 year at my CC, applied in like April/May, and got accepted for that fall at OSU-Columbus.

Let's say I had a 3.8 GPA that year. Would I be able to do Honors at OSU? I have been meaning to ask you this question.

To be completely honest, I don't think so, but I could be wrong. I know a view people that did honors rather than scholars, but nobody that got into honors late. I do know that you can get into honors throughout college, whereas scholars you must get in as a freshman.

I'm not sure how they view community college GPA, etc. I would send an email to an honors advisor here. Everyone I have met has been very helpful.

 

[xnfs93hy]

I cannot find anything on the Honors-Scholars part of the website so I just shot them an email. Hopefully I can get in if I apply there as a transfer.