<p>So, since my parents have been cramming college down my throat for the past... oh four years, I know what the admissions for undergraduate school are looking for. The usual good test scores, extracurriculars, leadership, awards, etc. But what does med school want from you? A good gpa from a good college or just a good gpa period? Would they distinguish between a 4.0 at a respectable and decent public school UT or LSU some big public state school and a 3.4 at a tougher school like MIT or Harvard? Does going to a tougher school allow you to get in with a lower gpa? </p>
<p>I want to know, because I don't wanna blow 150 grand on a undergraduate degree I can't do crap with in today's world and have a gpa that won't get me into any good medical school. </p>
<p>P.S. Do medical schools still care about extracurriculars?</p>
<p>Med schools care very much about ECs.</p>
<p>Since med school is expensive and there is little aid available except for loans, it’s generally recommended that pre-meds minimize undergraduate debt. Choose the best school you can afford and get top grades wherever you end up. </p>
<p>There’s considerable debate about how much difference in the GPAs is allowed between the Harvards and MITs vs. major state schools–the general consensus is that is there is a gimme of .1 or less in GPAs. </p>
<p>All the stuff you had to have for getting into college-- strong GPA, excellent test scores, ECs, leadership etc—med schools expect all those plus research and medical volunteering/shadowing.</p>
<p>"A good gpa from a good college or just a good gpa period? "</p>
<p>From experience of D’s getting to few Med. Schools, some in top 20, “just a good gpa period” IMO. Others might have a different opinion based on their experience. Yes, she had all other stuff, decent MCAT and tons of EC’s. Actually her pre-med advisor was amazed at how she could spread herself so thin and still get an awesome GPA. D. has very wide range of interests, not everybody is into that much. Reasonable amount of EC’s is advisable along with decent MCAT score.</p>
<p>The posts that are “stickied” at the top of this forum will answer most of your questions, and so will the ones in the “hot topics” box at the top of the forum too.</p>
<p>In short: meaningful extracurriculars, considerable time spent volunteering, knowledge of the field (shadowing, working in a hospital, working with patients), scholarly endeavors (like research), authentic leadership, a high GPA (shoot for >3.8 regardless of where you go), a high MCAT score (>33 would be pretty ideal), extraordinary recommendation letters from a variety of adults/profs who know you well, a unique hook, a well-written and mature personal statement, and lots of potential. </p>
<p>A people-oriented personality, polite demeanor, and a little charm never hurt anyone either.</p>
<p>^Very good summary, Kristin!</p>
<p>Haha, thanks Miami. Can you tell I’ve been asked that before? Most of the time when I ramble off a list like that, people look at me incredulously. “How can anyone do all those things?” they sometimes ask. And I reply in earnest “I have no idea!”</p>
<p>^I would cut, paste and save. Short, sweet and to the point. </p>
<p>In regard to how they do it, even my D’s pre-med advisor has asked her this question. I would like to point out that it seems that if you have fun and still can maintain GPA, go for whatever. D. has enjoyed everything, but at some point, something came up that she needed to decline because of previous time commitments to something else. Yep, nobody is superhuman even though they are used to be involved in crazy number of various activities and still love to have friends around them.</p>