<p>How does the grading system at Rice compare to ivy leagues with inflated grading systems and other schools that give out easy grades? Would Rice be considered deflated, average, inflated, etc.? Would it be easy to do premed at Rice and come out with a 4.0? Would it be easy to get a 4.0 or very close (close enough to be competitive at top-tier med schools) majoring in biomedical engineering while satisfying premed requirements? Is it true that Rice is one of the best premed schools and also the top biomedical engineering program? Does it have a top science program in general? Is it easy to get into top med schools after graduating from Rice? Thanks.</p>
<p>“Is it true that Rice is one of the best premed schools and also the top biomedical engineering program? Does it have a top science program in general?”</p>
<p>Yes. All I can say for your GPA questions is that generally it is much tougher to get great grades in engineering than it is in other majors.</p>
<p>First off, unless we attend two schools at once, I don’t think we can tell u whether the Ivy League schools are harder/easier than Rice. To be honest, all the top schools, Ivy or not, are very difficult and you need to work hard. Of course, it is manageable, especially if learn early on freshman year to manage your time wisely.</p>
<p>I am also pre-med, and I was so obsessed last year, when choosing between schools, which had easier pre-med classes/grade inflation/etc. Seriously though, worrying about getting into med school as pre-frosh was probably the biggest waste of my time. The university you go to is not going to make or break you from getting into medical school; it is ultimately up to you. The differences between premed vigor is very minute at the top universities. You will have to work hard no matter where you go. So best advice I can give: don’t game the system and thinking going to a “grade-inflated” school will make it more likely you can get into med school or not. Instead, pick a school with an atmosphere that you like (i.e. social life, academic programs, research/volunteering opportunties, etc.).</p>
<p>Also, I would suggest that you use the “search this forum” function and look for “pre-med at Rice.” There are TONS of pre-med threads on this board, so in the future, search for the info you are looking for, and if you can’t find it, post your questions.</p>
<p>Yes, Rice is definitely one of the best schools in the country (it is ranked #17 nationally), and bioengineering is probably one of Rice’s strongest program (ranked number 9 in the nation).</p>
<p>Furthermore, Rice has fair grading in my opinion. I don’t think grade inflation exists, but I also don’t think grade deflation exists. If you work hard and seek help when you don’t understand concepts, you will do well. Professors here also truly want you to do well, so that helps as well.</p>
<p>Its not easy anywhere to get a 4.0 in premed classes. Anyway, you don’t need a 4.0 to get into med school… the average is 3.6-3.7. And no, it is not easy to get a 4.0 in bioengineering… that’s one of Rice’s (and most universities) most demanding and challenging majors. However, bioengineering is going to be extremely tough wherever you go, not just at Rice.</p>
<p>Yes, Rice has a top science program in general.</p>
<p>Frankly, it doesn’t matter if you get into a top medical school or not. All that matters is the MD degree; it doesn’t matter where it’s from (unless you want to teach medicine). Rice students are just happy to get into med school. 90% of students that apply to med school get in, which is a lot higher than the 50-60% national average. A lot of students do have the choice of top-tier med schools; Rice is a well-respected school, so a Rice degree does help in the long run.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. Anyway, don’t worry so much… relax and realize everything is going to be all right as long as you choose the school that you feel you will be happiest and will be the best fit for YOU. Be excited about college, don’t worry so much about med school now. If you have the drive, you can get in. And even if you do get in, medicine is a very challenging field, so its not guaranteed you are going to live an easy life after getting into med school. And a Rice education will serve you quite well. Good luck!</p>