<p>Is it true that attending Hopkins undergrad as a pre-med hurts my chances of getting into the actually med school? A few people told me that people who attend other undergrad programs have a higher chance of getting in than Hopkins undergrads...</p>
<p>This is urban myth. Hopkins is extremely well respected by medical schools and Hopkins does very well in placing a very high percentage of graduating premeds into US medical schools–and many of them into the very top medical schools.</p>
<p>The myth is based on two things. First, the alleged “grade deflation” at Hopkins and the rigor of its courses. It is true that Hopkins has had somewhat less grade inflation than some of its peers. The average GPA is @ 3.3–as opposed to @ 3.5 at many other schools. But all US medical schools are very familiar with Hopkins and this does not seem to hurt anybody. Earn a 3.5 at Hopkins (i.e., slightly above average) and you likely are going to medical school. In terms of rigor–it is true that many premed requirements at Hopkins are going to be more challeging than similar courses at less distinguished schools (BTW, you can say the same thing about UChicago). So it is probably true that it is easier to get an A in the course from easier schools. But, while Hopkins is rigorous and challenging–that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to do well. If you are smart enought to get admitted and willing and able to work hard–you will do just fine. And if you are not willing to be challenged and to work hard, maybe medicine is not the best career choice. </p>
<p>The other alleged factor is that there are a lot of very bright, competitive premeds at Hopkins and, therefore, it is hard to stand out as compared to less rigorous schools. This ignores the fact that it is not other Hopkins’ students you are competing against for medical school admission–you are competing with students from everywhere. And the Hopkins’ pedigree is definitely a plus when applying to medical school.</p>
<p>Oh, and of course you know that the myth is not (for the most part) perpetuated by Hopkins’ students or alumni but by people who either were not admitted or who chose to go to an easier place.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your reply. It definitely cleared things up for me!</p>