<p>Which scenario would be more advantageous for me to get accepted to medical school?
I am current UC Berkeley freshman and realized academic GPA rigor at UCB is insanely high. Yes, UC Berkeley is number 1 public university and everyone here is smart which makes the rigor on top.
I do not think I can pull good GPA here. Definitely not higher than 3.5 probably not lower at Berkeley but easily managble at my home state school such as University of Florida and other low-tier state school.
If I can manage to pull 4.0 GPA and good MCAT score with amazing extra curricular at my home state school, wouldn't it be advantageous? If I manage to make a transition from UCB to UF, it would be big transition and something I can't take it back easily so I want to be careful when i make decision now. Please help me and give advices.</p>
<p>This has been discussed ad infinitum here in the Pre-med forums. The search function is your friend. Use it.</p>
<p>Basically, there’s no guarantee that transferring to another school will allow you to to pull a 4.0. The strongest students at any college tend to cluster in a few select majors like engineering, chem, math, physics, and “pre-med”.
Upper level sciences & math at any major public college will be challenging and full of strong students. (Why? Because there are lots of students who are very smart but can’t afford to go OOS or to a private for college–and it’s those students who will be your competition. True story-- D1 attended a state public that is ranked around #200. One of her fellow physics majors was working for and publishing with Kip Thorne in theoretical astrophysics as a sophomore in college. Kid is brilliant! Now imagine having him setting the curve in all your classes. Stuff like that really does happen.)</p>
<p>Consider that transferring has consequences. You will probably lose credits and you’ll lose a year’s worth of opportunities and connections since you’ll have to re-establish yourself at your new school before you can start finding research or TA positions. </p>
<p>But given all of this, if you still want to transfer–that’s your choice. </p>
<p>Just remember med school is about more than just grades. A 4.0 isn’t a guarantee of admission. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for your kind word of advice. I will listen to this carefully and make best choice I can make. Any other advice would be helpful as well.</p>
<p>If the MCAT is the same, in general a 4.0 trumps 3.0. Some md school make adjustments to grade deflation, it depends. But as M2ck said, don’t assume you can get a 4.0 in pre-med track by attending a lessor ranking schools.</p>
<p>My D took courses in a CC in Highschool, she actually did not do as well as when she went to college.</p>
<p>Tldr - Higher GPA at podunk University always >>> lower GPA at Superstar College known for grade deflation and produces nobel prize winners etc</p>
<p>Get the highest GPA and MCAT you can kids!</p>
First of all, it’s crazy for a premed to be at a UC as an OOS student.
Go to your home state school.