<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>After visiting the schools that I was accepted to, I'm pretty certain that I fit the most at Chicago - I like the core, and nearly everything about the school. The thing is, I probably want to go to medical school, and I was also accepted at Case Western's 8 year medical program. While the other three schools I was accepted at (UMich, UPenn, and Swarthmore) are still options, I would probably pick Chicago over them. </p>
<p>I'm basically flipping between two viewpoints</p>
<p>1.) After reading many things about how hard med school is to get into (from any undergrad), and the stories I've heard from doctors, that maybe I should take the chance at Case so I won't need to lose my sanity (there is a gpa requirement, but no MCAT). Cons: Don't have the majors I want, and I'm not that fond of the undergrad. </p>
<p>2.) Another part of me wants to fight with all I've got to go to Chicago and be a part of that whole experience - especially with the Core, intellectual atmosphere, great faculty, along with the fact that they have the majors I want, and most likely the right "fit". It's a once in a lifetime chance, and sometimes I feel that I'm not willing to lose it for anything. Cons: Is it doable? I'm definitely not aiming for Hopkins Med or something, but I might feel a bit of regret later on for turning down a highly regarded med school (Case is ranked 25-ish) </p>
<p>So, any advice? (Finances are the same at both schools for undergrad. For med school, the only difference that would come about is if I could get into UMich med or another Michigan school to get in-state tuition). </p>
<p>Thanks and sorry for bringing up this worn-out topic!!</p>
<p>I would have to say Chicago hands down. here’s why:</p>
<p>1) The case med program doesn’t shorten the med school process, whereas a lot of programs cut it down to 6 or 7 years. It’s essentially the same as going through undergrad and med school, but without MCATs or med school applications.</p>
<p>2) Chicago is so much better than case academically. Yes, case is a great school, but chicago is just in a whole other class.</p>
<p>3) Getting into med school from chicago isn’t as hard as people would have you think. honestly, if you have a good GPA and MCAT, you can get into a top medical school (perhaps even better than case). It’s not like going to chicago makes adcoms reject you automatically. It’s more likely that they’ll be impressed. It depends more on how you are personally than the school you go to. I don’t see how (if they are equal financially) you could turn down Chicago for case.</p>
<p>4) Is it worth giving up chicago’s core and general awesomeness just to not have to go through med school applications and MCATs? It’s not like you won’t get into a very good med school from chicago. I bet the minimum gpa for case’s med program pretty much guarantees admission to top 25 med schools.</p>
<p>I don’t see why this is even a discussion. There is no time (or it seems money) saved by going to case. and you’re giving up chicago’s core and general amazingness. Plenty of people go on to med school from chicago. It’s not like you’ll be the first or even one of few. As long as you work hard, you’ll get into med school. And, the MCATs aren’t that terrible. I’m only 17 and I’ve taken a couple practice ones for fun (yes, I’m a freak. and no, I’m not interested in medicine). They aren’t nearly as bad as everyone says they are. The ochem just sucks. Med school applications suck. But everyone has to do them, so it’s just part of the whole med school process. And is a couple months of annoyance really enough to deter you from chicago’s core? If so, you might want to reconsider your priorities… :)</p>
<p>good luck! Hope to see you at chicago!</p>