UVA For Pre-meds

[Thisjatti]

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So I'm a junior, just starting to solidify my college intentions. UVA is definitely my #1 choice but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared of the level of intelligence expected there. Is it insanely hard for a premed?

If I worked nonstop would I be able to pull a 3.7 or higher?

What GPA do med schools see as commendable from a UVA grad?

Would going to tech and getting a better gpa be less impressive than a lower gpa at uva?

Assuming I get in, should I take all the intro courses as a gpa buffer or take the ap credit?

Is it hard to get leadership positins?

Is it competitive to shadow a doctor?

Is it hard to get on a good research team?

Is it hard to get into the neuroscience program (or should I just stick with a biology major?)
Thanks so much guys!!

 

[werd]

'salot of questions man. i went to uva for med school and part of residency so i can't speak from experience about the undergrad details.. but here goes...

med schools are generally looking for a 3.5+ gpa... anything over 3.8 starts to look real good and under 3.5 starts to be a detriment. kind of surprisingly, the context of that gpa such as university or major aren't as important, though tough coursework (or at least coursework that sounds tough) earns you some points.

it's not tough to shadow a doctor at uva, since there's a health care system a/w the school. i wouldn't take intro courses solely as a gpa buffer, but do be mindful that AP credits usually don't imply the same level of understanding you'd get from actually taking the class. people sometimes get in over their heads by using math or chem AP credits. good luck.. charlottesville is a nice town 🙂

 

[Instatewaiter]

So I'm a junior, just starting to solidify my college intentions. UVA is definitely my #1 choice but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared of the level of intelligence expected there. Is it insanely hard for a premed?


If I worked nonstop would I be able to pull a 3.7 or higher?
Maybe. I will say it takes a lot to get a 3.7 at UVA. If you bust your ass and are diligent, you probably could.

What GPA do med schools see as commendable from a UVA grad?
I'd say at least a 3.5. Of course I got in with a 2.9 from UVA

Would going to tech and getting a better gpa be less impressive than a lower gpa at uva?
In my medical school class, we have 30 people from UVA and about 5 from tech. VT is 2-3 times larger than UVA. Take that for what you will

Assuming I get in, should I take all the intro courses as a gpa buffer or take the ap credit?
Take what you are interested.

Is it hard to get leadership positins?
Not really. Not too many people have an interest in doing that.

Is it competitive to shadow a doctor?
No

Is it hard to get on a good research team?
Yes. Is it hard to get onto any research team? no

Is it hard to get into the neuroscience program (or should I just stick with a biology major?)
Not really

Thanks so much guys!!

Don't be scared. You will have a lot more opportunities at UVA than anywhere else in the state.