<p>I am a rising senior completing college apps and I have a few questions.</p>
<p>1) My intended major is something related with Business. Some colleges Im applying to have majors like "Health Sector Management". Would that be bad for medical school or is it still accepted? I know you can major in "anything". But will it harm me?</p>
<p>2) Right now, I am in between 2 schools for the most part. The first is University of Florida, which I still have to be accepted to which is tough but probable. It is nationally renowned, has a very good Pre-Med program, but I don't know if I would like it there. Im visiting next week. Also, I'm tired of being alongside ultracompetitive people which is what I would have at UF.
Option 2 is UCF in Orlando. Up and coming University but now as well known right now. They offer a 7 year program but you have to major in a Biomedical Science which I wouldn't want to do. So does going to a "not so good" University deter you from making it to medical school? Or is a 3.8 from UCF the same as a 3.8 from UF?
Also, Orlando would allow me to get more shadowing opportunities as well as reffing which is a passion of mine.</p>
<p>3) Does Honors matter? I would be in Honors at UCF but not at UF</p>
<p>4) Does where you go to school matter to a doctor? Or is a doctor from a so-so University as well off as a doctor from Harvard in the long run as long as he is a good doctor?
Please let me know what you guys think.</p>
<p>1) business is one of those iffy majors. It’s often considered “vocational” by med school adcoms and downgraded. It can appear that you’re hedging your bets and aren’t completely committed to becoming a physician. Med schools strongly prefer a liberal arts/science degree.</p>
<p>One important thing to look at is if your school will allow you to take all your required pre-reqs if you’re not in the college of arts & sciences. Some schools won’t. </p>
<p>Another consideration is that starting the 2015, the content of the MCAT is changing. The new MCAT will have more science, math and humanities than the current test. Med school admission requirements are changing too. You will want to inform yourself about the changes and see if you can complete all your pre-reqs classes and still fulfill your business requirements at the same time.</p>
<p>2) Pre med just about anywhere is going to be ‘competitive’ simply because med school admissions are competitive and everyone wants to have the best grades/recs/application they can. You’re not going to get completely away from that. Generally your undergrad school makes only a very small difference in your admission chances. There are so many other factors that come into consideration.</p>
<p>3) Honors is only important in that it may get you special privileges–like special housing or registration slots ahead of the assigned times. It won’t make a whole lot of difference in your application.</p>
<p>4) the best med school is the one that accepts you. Worry about Harvard SOM vs. whatever SOM when you get closer to applying. Right now any discussion is meaningless.</p>
<p>“Or is a 3.8 from UCF the same as a 3.8 from UF?”</p>
<p>Nah I actually disagree a little. If the GPAs are the same or are very similar, then they might look at where you went (kind of as a tiebreaker). But if you have someone with a 3.6 from Harvard and a 3.8 from FSU, then the FSU kid has the advantage (basically if there is a marked difference, then where you went to school stops mattering).</p>
<p>I know I cant get away completely. But I know what kind of students go to UF. They are at my school. The competition at my high school is just unbearable.
I like competition because it gives me drive to suceed, but there’s a limit.
Also, if I can be at a place where I can shine more, I can get to know teachers better which helps with recs.</p>
<p>As for Honors, at UCF it is actually very helpful. They give you good advicing and priority in choosing your classes (very important with 2nd largest school in the country).</p>
<p>As for the major, I think I would enjoy majoring in Sociology, so I think I will do that. </p>
<p>Do you know where I could find the chances for 2015?</p>
<p>I don’t think UF v UCF really matters, but I do think you’ll need to figure out a way to really embrace all the competition you’re bound to find as a premed, applying to med school, as a med student, applying to residency, and as an intern and resident.</p>
<p>The competition just gets more intense as you continue through your education. Some people become total jerks, and some people learn to collaborate and develop a great sense of camaraderie with their classmates. Perhaps you’re currently surrounded by jerks, and you’re looking for comrades, which is why you want UCF over UF. That’s fine (and is probably what I’d choose too!)–but just know that it’s probably impossible to eliminate competition from road to becoming a doctor.</p>
<p>College GPA = 3.8 is good enough to get accepted to Med. School as long as you fullfill other requirements. Where you got it from is pretty irrelevant. Also, do not ilsten to anybody who is negative about your choices. Choose what is the best for you in regard to school and your futture profession and go for it. Be prepared to work very hard no matter where you go, be self-relient, actively seek opportunites, they are everywhere, but they will not come knocking on your door. Best wishes!</p>