Canadian to Southern Schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm a junior from a high school in Canada and plan to go to university in Texas, or a close by southern state. I will be considered in-state for Texas for a few reasons, so tuition there is not a problem.</p>

<p>I am going to be a premed. My question is, does it matter how competitive a school is? For example I am really interested in U of Texas -Austin, but 77% of students who enter are in the top 10% of their class. Now, this kind of scared me, because with the change to US education, culture, and everything I am kind of worried about ending up with low marks because of the competition and dig myself a hole for med school admissions. I'm pretty paranoid about stuff like this, because I don't know how academically sound US students are compared to Canadians. I don't want to end up in a situation where I end up getting all the A-'s/B+'s and B's because the other people that graduated in the top 10% of their high school get all the A's. Hopefully someone understands where I'm coming from. Also, the US GPA system is tougher than in Canada (in canada 4.0=>90, 3.9-3.8=89-85%, 84-80 = 3.7...and so on, so much easier to get higher GPAs)</p>

<p>I'll post some stats, haven't written the SAT yet though.
-Rank: top 1-2%...but my school is not at all competitive, at a serious academic school i'd be lower ranked.
-SAT: practice tests are at low 2100s right now, writing SAT in May
-No AP/IB
**i don't know what other stats you need, but let me know if you need to know something else to offer school suggestions</p>

<p>Basically, I feel like I'd be competitive for most schools, the question is which one(s) would be best for me as a premed. Am I stressing out too much about UT Austin's competition? Also, they have that +/- system which may be harder to get the desired As, since you need higher marks for an A/A+ I believe (since an A- = 3.7...unlike ABCD system where there is no A- and an A = 4). </p>

<p>Sorry for the super long post. In short, am I over stressing competition? At UT Austin, what is the level of competition in Biology courses (i hear that they are known for engineering and something else, so is that where all the smart kids go and do they not go in bio?)? Could you suggest some other schools that fit me? (Not cut throat competitive, not under competitive, a good mix). I am looking into Texas A&M and Baylor too, but Baylor seems a little expensive. Cal, Texas, Louisiana, SW states like Florida and such are all fine. Even if its farther north, it doesn't matter, as long as the tuition is fair (<=25K maximum..and I won't be considered out-of-state for schools outside Texas...ill be international. So, FA for those schools outside texas would be needed) Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I am a Canadian student who is going to Emory (in Georgia… which is considered a southern state) so I can provide some insight…idk about schools in Texas honestly… but if you ever need questions on Emory, PM me.</p>

3

<p>anyone else wanna help me out? Just some southern, or not so southern schools that would fit my mold:
-nice campus
-good on-campus rooms
-not overly competitive, and not a school that’s under competitive…a good blend
-in Texas would be great for tuition 'cause i’ll be considered in-state
-if not in Texas, than sufficient FA for international student
-decent biology dept., idon’t wanna go to a school that’s mainly for business or something
-sociable people and a school that has some intramural sports and such</p>

<p>And also, if you could comment on whether going to a school that’s too competitive is good or not for a premed. Also, if 77% of entering class in the top 10% really competitive at UT Austin? Or do most of these kids go into engineering, and other fields, since I hear that UTAustin is good for engineering? I don’t wanna get stuck with all the marks below an A just because there are too many intelligent people. Also, what’s the reputation of Texas A&M?</p>

4

<p>You should really look into Rice University. It has a great pre-med advising program and is literally next door to the Texas Medical Center – the largest medical complex in the world with 14 hospitals and 2 medical schools. There are amazing internship and research opportunities for the Rice undergrads due to its proximity to the Medical Center.</p>

5

<p>yea, I was thinking about applying there,but they have limited FA, and applying for FA would lower my chances. I still might but I’m not sure. But this leads to my same question. Rice is full of over achievers, and I go to a easy, non competitive school in Canada, so wouldn’t this kill my GPA at Rice? Wouldn’t I be behind and end up with all the B’s? I’m worried about this possibilty</p>

6

<p>Well, you never know unless you apply. Rice has excellent financial aid (not limited). I don’t know where you got that from. And the student body is very bright, but not cut-throat.</p>

<p>Editing to add – okay, I understand. FA is limited for internationals.</p>

7

<p>Any other suggestions anyone? I don’t know a lot of Texas schools either. Are UT, Baylor, Texas A&M and Rice the only good ones? Am I missing a few?</p>

<p>And what’s the take on UT-Austin vs. UT-Dallas? I know Austin is the flagship and such, but is there a huge difference? Anyone wanna shed some light on this?</p>