<p>I've been conducting an exhaustive amount of research trying to identify the best undergrad school to attend for Pre-med. I'm specifically looking for an undergrad school that will prepare me for placement in a MSTP. I would be going in as a transfer student, so Princeton is out since they don't accept transfer students. Of my small list below, could some of you please help me place them into groupings or rankings? Cornell is more-or-less a safe school as they have an articulation agreement setup with my current 2 year school. I'm wondering which ones really standout as being a cut above Cornell for an aspiring Medical Scientist who wants to try to land Harvard Medical School or one of the other big ones.</p>
<p>Harvard
Yale
Stanford
Duke
U Penn
Columbia
Johns Hopkins</p>
<p>Or if you have any other ideas for undergrad schools that would be better than Cornell, please let me know.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for any input you could offer!</p>
<p>To get into an MSTP program, you need (ideally) research experience, good recomendations, great grades, and a good undergrad education.</p>
<p>So, you should go to the places where that will be easiest. Take a long hard look at where you will have the best opportunities to get involved in research (a meaningful way) from your first semester. This is NOT the same thing as where the famous researchers are, necessarily. Look for places known for undergraduate research of the highest quality, and close relationships with students and faculty. These relationships will also be essential for the glowing recommendations and even good grades (if your profs answer questions during accessible office hours, it will be good).</p>
<p>Well, I just got back from visiting Cornell at their Transfer Day on Friday. I was overwhelmed by all that they had to offer. Cornell is a famous name and a famous university, but it's so much more than that, especially for research. From what I heard and the students I spoke with, it sounds like there are tremendous opportunities for undergraduate research and the professors are very accessible.</p>
<p>I would love to know some other people's takes on schools with both a great reputation AND undergraduate research opportunities. From what I have now been able to gather, it looks like Cornell is absolutely world class.</p>
<p>Well, as a Cornell student I am pretty biased. I have to say that if you are interested in doing research, Cornell is probably one of the best places for undergraduate research. However, back to your original question, I don't think have the top grades and everything else would guarantee you a Harvard med acceptance at any school. There are just too many factors involved (background, racial...etc). Any of the schools you mentioned will prepare you will. The competition will be very fierce at all of them. If you do choose to come to Cornell as a transfer student, I would recommend that you take as many premed courses at your current university. Cornell is known to give out really low grades in those premed courses to weed out students. I met know a person who is at Harvard med right now, and she got in because she took time off and worked at a Harvard med lab. I guess if Harvard is your "dream" school, you should just try to get a job over there during a summer or after graduation.</p>
<p>If you're choosing from the best schools in the country, you can't go wrong. You won't find yourself to be too smart for any of them. Instead of researching the schools so diligently, go study something of substance and make your pick based on instincts/</p>