Easier or Harder School?

College Search & Selection
1

My main objective is to become either a dentist or a doctor, and I have two choices.

One of my choices is to become a doctor; however, that means going to a lower-tier school. At that school, I will be able to graduate in three years through pre-med and it’s almost guaranteed for me to get into medical school through their program. This school is close to my home and I’ve visited the school-I like the location. At this school, however, I know that I won’t be able to experience the typical college/social life, but I feel like as long as I end up where I want to be (safely and surely), then I shouldn’t worry about the present. My GPA at this school would be much better, and I feel like I could easily strive for at least a 3.8. So if I do well at this lower-tier school, I could definitely be a doctor in 7 years.

My other choice is to become a dentist, and I have been accepted through pre-dental at a higher-tier school. At that school, undergrad is 4 years, and even though I’m doing pre-dental, it’s still not guaranteed that I’ll be able to get into a dental school, and their dental school is extremely difficult. If I don’t do well, I don’t have a “backup.” It is much more competitive so my GPA would be much lower. Another problem is that this school is far far away from home. The location is great though- in the school, I would have a great amount of social life and communication. The college is great for students to interact with each other and the city, and I know it would be a vibrant place to live in. So if I do well at this higher-tier school, I could possibly be a dentist in 8 years.

So overall, which is more important: Social life or defining my future? Which choice should I choose?

2

Defining your future is more important. Go with the doctor/premed plan…but have a backup plan anyways!

3

Thanks, I’ll be doing just that!

4

These are not the only two aspects of college life, keggers or careerism. College can also be a time when a student tries new things, meets new people, and clarifies who they are and what they feel led to do in their life. College gives wonderful resources for that. Your self-knowledge and your career plans may change significantly while in college. My wife went into college determined to go to Med School but along the way she realized that her creative side and enjoyment of event-planning (through her Sorority) led her to a career in teaching science instead, which has been very fulfilling for her. You don’t have to commit to your professional school so early, and you might want to think about being roped into a program that limits your options just to save a year of school. Best wishes!