GRRR...I don't understand why!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm a bit confused...and I hope this question hasn't been asked before.</p>

<p>Since middle school I've wanted to become what my grandfather was: an oncologist. I've always dreamt of attending medical school such as Harvard or JHU; but after some research, I found some heart-downing info.</p>

<p>Besides Harvard's undergrad, Yale, then Stanford Princeton and MIT, sends the most premeds to HMS. I admit; I didn't gain an acceptance to the I'd-kill-my-own-siblings-to-get-in "HYPSM," but at the same time, it's almost universally agreed-on that LAC provide the most one-on-one time between students and faculty.</p>

<p>Next year I'll be at Amherst, and I've only heard positive things about developing connections with professors there. Also, because LACs have-- compared to a schools like HYP--smaller faculty/student ratios, I'm hoping to get awesome recommendations/opportunities from my professors. But if LACs truly do provide a closer-knit community compared to said large research unis, why do they fall behind so much in graduate school placements?</p>

<p>I know it's early to be thinking of grad school before college, but any comments would be appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Just relax. Amherst is an amazing school that has great graduate school placement. Do not worry about grad school already! That is just ridiculous. Do well at college and enjoy the four years, then think about it.</p>

3

<p>Bump! I'm actually considering a transfer for the above reason! Any comments would be much appreciated.</p>

4

<p>Well, if you're so opposed to Amherst before even giving it a try, I certainly wouldn't cry if you decided to leave!</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
Besides Harvard's undergrad, Yale, then Stanford Princeton and MIT, sends the most premeds to HMS. ... *f LACs truly do provide a closer-knit community compared to said large research unis, why do they fall behind so much in graduate school placements?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>When you say that HYSPM send the most premeds - of course they'll have an advantage over LACs in this regard, because of their sizes. More students period means more students applying to med school means more students going to med school. Those numbers aren't meaningful unless you compare them to the size of the student body.</p>

<p>If you look at numbers about LAC grads earning graduate degrees, you'll find that they don't fall behind at all. [url=<a href="http://www.reed.edu/ir/phdrank.html%5DHere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.reed.edu/ir/phdrank.html]Here[/url&lt;/a&gt;] is a list of the top ten schools for percentage of graduates earning Ph.D.s - seven of the top ten are LACs, and HYSP are conspicuously absent. [url=<a href="http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html%5DHere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]Here[/url&lt;/a&gt;] is a set of top-ten lists for Ph.D. productivity broken down by discipline, again dominated by LACs. These lists suggest strongly that an LAC education is by no means an impairment when pursuing graduate study in general. I haven't found data about M.D.s specifically, but I wouldn't be surprised if the trend is similar - I'll post back if I find something.</p>

6

<p>There has been a study of baccalaureate</a> origins of entrants into American medical schools - unfortunately, I can't access the journal article, so I have no idea what the results are. Sorry.</p>

<p>You may be interested in Amherst's page about chances</a> for med school applicants from Amherst, though.</p>

7

<p>Sorry about my rash statement; I do love amherst a lot! I'm just a bit confused...</p>

<p>bump!</p>