Starting off yes, I know pre-med is not a major, but what colleges are typically geared towards pre-med? I plan to major in Biology, but nothing is for sure. What college recommendations are there for pre-med school that aren’t cutthroat? Also, what schools are easy to excel at? My GPA is 4.2 weighted, and I have a 30 on the ACT.
Since med school is expensive, try to stick to a cheaper option for undergrad (since it really doesn’t matter much). Personally I’d pick a relatively smaller school (can get to know profs better for rec letters) with good pre-med advising. Try to stay away from any schools that are known for grade deflation (e.g. Princeton). Are there any other qualities that you are looking for in a school (location, size etc.)?
I mean, you can do the pre-Med track from tons of schools.
There are a lot of schools that have special programs (accelerated MD programs, etc) - so there are lots of opportunities in the forms of Programs that are geared toward Medical school.
Also schools that are near research hubs or lots of medical hospitals etc. will have better opportunities for aspiring Med School students.
There are a huge number of universities and colleges with very good premed programs. However, if you do end up at medical school, then you need 8 years total of university (four undergrad + four medical school). Therefore you should budget for 8 years of school and not 4. Thus you will need to avoid debt for undergrad. Also, you need to keep a very high GPA in undergrad to get into medical school.
As such, your state flagship university is probably the first place that you should consider. If you live in CA, MI, or VA, then you should also look at other state universities (since for example the top two in-state universities in California are a reach or worse for most students, and the next several CA state universities are very strong).
Expect a premed program to be very demanding regardless of where to go.
Are there any suggestions for LACs? I want to find a LAC that isn’t too cutthroat, and I also want it to have some research opportunities. Thank you!
It will not be ‘easy’ to excel in a pre med curriculum at any school. That being said, since you are looking for LACs here are a few with good programs that may be matches.
F&M
College of the Holy Cross
Lafayette
Bates
And Muhlenberg could be a safety
“Are there any suggestions for LACs?”
Do you have a geographic preference?
May I ask about the pros of each college?
I live in California, so preferably in the west, but anywhere is fine.
If you want to go pre-med then think about:
- The cheapest reasonable college so you/your parents can use the money for med school
- The college needs to prepare you for MCATs but still allow you to get a good GPA
- Access to volunteering opportunities (e.g., near a hospital)
- Success in graduates getting into med school
- Options if you don’t go to med school
I would consider the wonderful California public schools first.
RE: Major…Taking Bio or Chemistry as a major makes it easier to fit in all the the necessary classes. But you can do other majors too but mostly have to take pre-med pre-reqs as your electives. I know someone who majored in Medical Anthropology as a pre-med and is now a doctor. It depends on what you are interested in.