<p>Hey guys. I’m having a very hard time deciding between four elite schools (Brown, Duke, Hopkins, Cornell) and UMD with a full ride. If I went to an elite, it would cost my parents around 140-200k versus UMD which would cost nothing. I am interested in doing a premed. What I want to know is if that 140-200k, which would obviously take a chunk out of my family’s finances, be really worth it for applying to Med schools or if I could get into the same caliber schools at University of Maryland College Park?</p>
<p>If your family could apply some of that money to med school it will make a huge difference in your life. But a lot of intended premeds change major. </p>
<p>What I know about med school admissions comes from reading comments on CC, so double check this. My impression is that GPA and GMATs are very important for med school admissions. So, where would you get the higher grades? A smart kid who can get into selective colleges will do well anywhere they go to college and can get into med school. What’s more important is what you do at your undergraduate college than which college you go to. </p>
<p>You should check into med school acceptance rates at UMD. Brown’s acceptance rate is high, but many premed students change their mind – so that acceptance rate is not based on who started out as a premed. And some of those minds are changed when they see their grades in organic chemistry. Don’t assume that because you are smart and have straight As you’ll do well in organic. That class is a killer at Brown. </p>
<p>And med school is very, very expensive. Wouldn’t it make more sense to save your money and spend it on med school?</p>
<p>OTOH – if you are like the majority of premeds who change their minds – then where would you rather be for four years?</p>
<p><a href=“Brown is the best place to be a pre-med - Brown University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/1284648-brown-is-the-best-place-to-be-a-pre-med-p1.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“If you are in high school, please read this before posting - Pre-Med Topics - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/1484178-if-you-are-in-high-school-please-read-this-before-posting-p1.html</a></p>
<p>MCAT, not GMAT fireandrain</p>
<p>You can definitely get into any med school from UMD that you could from Brown - the question is which school fits you better (and that includes your financial situation - definitely don’t ignore the fact that that 140-200k could go towards your med school tuition where you’ll be much less likely to receive free money like UMD is giving you)</p>
<p>Oops. Sorry about that. Med school is very much out of my comfort zone.</p>