<p>Hey guys, I have been admitted to a few good colleges that I applied to, but I also received a huge scholarship at my state university with research and other kinds of benefits. I feel much more comfortable with the state college (which is pretty good for Biomedical Engineering too, my intended major), but I worry about getting into a good grad/med school in the future. Will going to a state university be a major disadvantage for acceptance into top medical schools, as opposed to top 20 colleges?</p>
<p>Not if you do well. More good research in science is done at publics than privates.</p>
<p>Your GPA compared to the school’s average GPA, and your GRE/GMAT scores, and your recommendations will matter most.</p>
<p>Many state flagship universities are highly regarded for the breadth and depth of their programs. Many are also highly regarded by employers. In the technical domain, many state universities produce some of the best research results in the United States – in part because they have a depth that private colleges often can not match. The list goes on … exceptional teachers, graduate programs and graduate students, strong ties to industry, etc.</p>
<p>Look at US News and World Reports for university ratings. In engineering, 12 of the top universities are State Universities. There are similar numbers in other disciplines.</p>
<p>So why choose a “private” rather than a “state flagship”? It depends on the student – is location important, are class sizes important, is the social scene important, are long term alumni relations important, etc. There is no simple answer. But if your main focus is academics, you need not worry from a career point of view by choosing a top-rated state flagship.</p>
<p>Go public!!!</p>
<p>The most important factors in med school admissions are GPA, MCATs, and research. The differences between attending a T20 school and a top public are neglible for med school if your other criteria fit the bill.</p>
<p>Oh, and the money factor is huge. If you’re in that gap between filthy rich and dirt poor, it may not be worth it to foot close to $200,000 with many more years of school ahead.</p>