Which school for pre-reqs?

[HU34ESw]

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Hi. I'm a non-traditional with a BA who needs to complete a few pre-reqs before I can apply to med school. I've been accepted by Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University. My question is, how heavily should I weigh reputation when deciding where to attend? Michigan State University has the stronger reputation and therefore may be considered the "better" school. EMU is smaller -- but I live closer to EMU. Going to MSU would require me to move. Does it matter to admins where you complete your pre-reqs (I know community colleges are out of the question)? Or do they focus on the grades? Thank you.

 

[gman33]

The school doesn't matter too much. Go to the school where you think you can get the best grades. No reason to move unless you want to.

 

[njbmd]

Hi. I'm a non-traditional with a BA who needs to complete a few pre-reqs before I can apply to med school. I've been accepted by Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University. My question is, how heavily should I weigh reputation when deciding where to attend? Michigan State University has the stronger reputation and therefore may be considered the "better" school. EMU is smaller -- but I live closer to EMU. Going to MSU would require me to move. Does it matter to admins where you complete your pre-reqs (I know community colleges are out of the question)? Or do they focus on the grades? Thank you.

Community colleges are not "out of the question" as long as the coursework is of sufficient quality to meet the requirement and of sufficient breadth to enable you to be prepared for the Medical College Admissions Test.

The reputation of the school that you attend is not nearly as much of a factor (if any factor) than your performance in your coursework. In short, go where you can do your best work. A "C" from one school does not trump an "A" from another school as long as the coursework is comparable.

There have been plenty of people who have taken their coursework at community colleges and been admitted to medical school. If you are concerned, you can always question the medical schools that you anticipate applying to and ask if they accept pre-reqs from community colleges.

 

[HU34ESw]

Community colleges are not "out of the question" as long as the coursework is of sufficient quality to meet the requirement and of sufficient breadth to enable you to be prepared for the Medical College Admissions Test.

The reputation of the school that you attend is not nearly as much of a factor (if any factor) than your performance in your coursework. In short, go where you can do your best work. A "C" from one school does not trump an "A" from another school as long as the coursework is comparable.

There have been plenty of people who have taken their coursework at community colleges and been admitted to medical school. If you are concerned, you can always question the medical schools that you anticipate applying to and ask if they accept pre-reqs from community colleges.

Thank you. BTW, your blog is awesome!

 

[HU34ESw]

I just received my latest copy of AAMC's MSAR. Inside I found the following:

"In assessing an applicant's academic work, admission committees also consider the characteristics of the undergraduate academic institution. Coursework at colleges known for rigorous academic standards get greater weight."

I don't know that either of the schools I have to choose from are known for "rigorous academic standards", but it does show that the school you attend does carry some weight in some instances.

 

[sunny1]

I really don't think there's any need for you to move. I'm not familiar with either MSU or EMU, but so long as you get good grades in your prereqs and then follow it up with a solid MCAT score it shouldn't be a problem.

Out of all the things for an ADCOM to look at on your application, I think the potential relative weighting of MSU vs. EMU would be inconsequential at best, given the fact that you are a nontrad postbacc. student.

Now if you like MSU better or you feel like they have more opportunities, then go for it. But if perceived reputation (or lack thereof) is your only deciding factor - combined with the fact that you would have to move - I'm just not sure it's that big of a deal.