<p>First post, but I'm still deciding on the college decision like everybody else...</p>
<p>I've been offered full scholarships to Texas Christian University and Miami University in Ohio, but I'm still debating on whether it would make a huge difference in the future to attend a smaller, lesser known school, if I plan on attending Med school. Would it make a huge dent for Med school to give up going to a more prestigious university (University of Chicago) for a cost-covered smaller school? Will it even make a difference?</p>
<p>Only your terminal degree matters. If you are sure of attending a medical school or other postgraduate institutions, it probably will not matter much where you choose.</p>
<p>At a small school you have more access to professors, smaller class size and more opportunity to speak up and be recognized. Pretty good advantages. As pre-med, you will probably have more opportunity to participate in research projects with professors and perhaps even publish research results (or get a byline on a prof's piece) as an undergrad than at a large mega-U.<br>
The big question would be: are the profs at these smaller schools actively researching and publishing? Also, in a smaller school, there are fewer chances to establish relationships that lead to future networking success. The pool of students in various disciplines is just smaller. I'm not sure this matters for an MD. This will be accomplished in med school.
Both TC and Miami U have good reputations. (I leave it to you to evaluate their pre-med.) Med school will cost a bundle. If their pre-med is solid- and if you will pursue research opps with faculty, why not give yourself a break. Depending on the specialty you choose, it's the quality of the med school and residency program that make your future as an MD.</p>