<p>I know that it would be ranked higher than regular UMass Amherst...but I'm trying to balance price with quality of education. Plus, if you want to apply to med school, how much does having a fancier name on your college degree factor in?</p>
<p>Ultimately, getting into med school means performing at top level, both in college and on entrance exams. School reputation can also be a factor, so there is no question that a TOP-tier school can help. However, the emphasis is on TOP. TOP does not mean just any private school, but the TOP privates. </p>
<p>Another factor is reputation of the department, which is something many students overlook by focusing on the overall reputation of the school. UMass Amherst has many nationally ranked departments, especially in the sciences, and they are the biggest feeder school to UMass Medical School. </p>
<p>If you combine a TOP ranked department with an honors program, that can also strengthen not just the reputation factor, but also your opportunity to work with faculty members and gain the connections and opportunities for research that strengthen your resume for grad school admissions or medical school admissions. Many honors programs also require the kind of thesis or research experiences which are standard at many TOP private schools. So, while a TOP private school can enhance your med school credentials, a TOP public university with ranked departments and a strong honors program can do the same thing.</p>