<p>Im currently a premed freshmen at a third tier university considering transfer to a "better" school in hopes that it would increase my chances at med school acceptance.
But...I was told that it really doesn't make a different what undergrad you go to, as long as you get good grades. (ivys are excluded from this)</p>
<p>So is it better to go to a harder school and get slightly lower grades, or is it better to go to a third tier school and get very good grades?</p>
<p>First of all don't assume that the other school is harder. </p>
<p>Second, it really doesn't matter as long as your school is accredited. What you really should concentrate on is doing very well - especially in your premed subjects - and spending the time you need to on volunteering with the general public, clinical exposure and research opportunites (and also studying for the MCAT).</p>
<p>While I think it sort of balances out (slightly lower grades at top school versus slightly higher grades at state school), it's important to remember other significant factors for the pre-med experience. What are the advising programs like? How easy is it to talk to faculty? Is the university renowned for a program that you're interested in? What is the dorm life like, if any? What clubs/extracurriculars are available? What clinical opportunities are available? How much does it cost? Where is the school located? What are class sizes like?</p>
<p>I don't think it's possible to boil down the question of what undergrad is best for you simply by thinking about grades; please consider some of the questions I've suggested above.</p>
<p>You may also want to look at opinions here <a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=369789%5B/url%5D">http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=369789</a></p>