<p>Might I suggest you look at the premed forum as this has been discussed extensively. Really, you can be a premed anywhere that offers intro Chem, Bio, Physics, and Math. There’s nothing special about it. What separates schools are the advising (Ivies and small privates tend to be better than state schools unless you’re in a special program), research opportunities, hospital volunteer opportunities, and how much you like the school. No one school will be clearly better than any other. Just get into college and go wherever fits you best. With high weedout rates and the fact that your mind can change, don’t go to a college only on the basis that you plan to be a doctor.</p>
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I’d say my school (Penn) has more research opportunities, internships, and mentoring than the vast majority of state schools out there. As a non science major I’m working at a biology lab right now. I’ll probably get published in a few months. I’m also nowhere near a top student at my school. Most of my premed friends are able to get research positions without too much effort. Also, advising is open to everyone and is very good. Granted, there is a large amount of weeding out, every college will have a large number of premeds drop for any number of reasons. I wouldn’t say Penn weeds out more premeds than Penn State just to keep med school admission numbers up. Also, mini fails to mention that going to a top private might be cheaper than going to a state school depending on how aid packages work out for some people.</p>
<p>Just apply where you want. Med school will fall into place later.</p>