Best Pre-Med Options

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey Everyone,</p>

<p>I'm currently a sophomore at a public high school in northern Virginia and an aspiring medical doctor. Although I am a very strong student, admissions to the two top colleges in the state (UVa and William & Mary) has become extremely competitive and it is difficult to judge your chances of admission. However, Northern Virginia Community College offers a guaranteed transfer program to both of these schools after two years as long as you meet certain (and easily met) requirements. My question is if I don't get accepted to either UVa or W&M, would it be better for my medical school application to transfer to one of these schools from NVCC after two years, or spend four years at a less selective university such as James Madison or Virginia Tech? Keep in mind that courses taken at NVCC (including those required for medical school) are counted towards a bachelors degree but do not appear on the final transcript from the institution from which I receive my degree and I assume are shown as being taken at NVCC.</p>

<p>Thank you for your help.</p>

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<p>The official answer is that it does not matter where you begin your education and starting at a community college is perfectly legitimate.</p>

<p>In spite of that, many people say that you should complete some, if not all, of your med-school pre-requisites at the 4 year level. Other med school admissions say it doesn’t matter and completing all your pre-reqs at the cc level is fine, just as long as you do some upper division science classes at the 4 year. Either way, if you are a sciences major, you will be doing upper division science classes at your 4 year.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that going to a top school is not a guarantee of admission. Important factors are GPA, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and MCAT scores. All things being equal, a distinguished university will give you a boost, in that it may have more opportunities for you to excel in extra-curricular activities and get more weighted letters of recommendation. However a student from W&M with a 2.9 is not at all considered better than a student from Virginia Tech with a 3.8.</p>

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<p>Since you’re “thinking ahead”…</p>

<p>Let me ask you a few questions that might affect your choices and your future… :)</p>

<p>What is your GPA weighted and unweighted.</p>

<p>What is your ACT and SAT (including SAT breakdown)???</p>

<p>How much will your parents spend each year?</p>

<p>If you need/want merit scholarships then you’re severely hurting your chances by going to a community college first.</p>

<p>Also…taking Orgo classes at a CC may not be the best thing either.</p>

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<p>Thanks chillt, its good to get a second opinion.</p>

<p>mom2collegekids:
Current GPA (freshman)-3.91 UW, 4.02 W
3 honors classes freshman year
4 honors and 1 AP this year</p>

<p>I plan on taking the SAT/ACT this spring for the first time, I realize it is difficult to get an idea of my academic capabilities without it right now.</p>

<p>I expect my parents to spend around $25,000 maximum each year of college, so if i’m staying in-state then financial aid/scholarships will not be a necessity. However, if I plan on going out of state or private then cost will definately be a factor.</p>

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<p>LOL…</p>

<p>I forgot that you’re a sophomore…I was thinking that you’re a senior…</p>

<p>Does your school let you take the PSAT as a sophomore? If you don’t know, find out.</p>

<p>*I expect my parents to spend around $25,000 maximum each year of college, so if i’m staying in-state then financial aid/scholarships will not be a necessity… *</p>

<p>Just to be sure, I recommend that you talk to your parents about this issue. Sometimes kids have different expectations than parents. Also, some parents have no idea how much tuition, room and board costs these days.</p>

<p>* However, if I plan on going out of state or private then cost will definately be a factor*</p>

<p>Financial aid is NOT based on what your parents say that they can pay. Your family’s EFC may be higher than what your family can pay. Many families cannot afford their EFCs. (expected family contribution). </p>

<p>For instance… your parent may say that they can only afford $22k per year. But, your EFC may be much higher than that (it is based on income, assets, savings, investments). </p>

<p>If your family has an unaffordable EFC, then you need to get big merit scholarships.</p>

<p>Also…most schools cannot meet need. So, a school may cost $50k, but the school may only give you $10k in aid. </p>

<p>So…keep your grades up. Take both the ACT and SAT…some do better on one or the other. Practice for both exams. When you take the PSAT, also practice for that…that can lead to scholarships as well.</p>

<p>Right now…that’s what you need to concentrate on. In a year, we can talk about schools. :)</p>

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