<p>I'm deciding on whether I should go to a large research university or liberal arts college as a 'pre med' here in California. I know research universities have more resources available to the students but a TON of 'competition' while liberal arts are more student focused with smaller classes with more interaction with professors. </p>
<p>I want to know which type of college would raise my "chances" of getting into a med school. Does trying to avoid the huge competition with students from a large research university and going to a smaller liberal arts college help at all in any way? I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions!</p>
<p>Thank You!</p>
<p>No matter where you go, pre-med is full of competition. There is no way to avoid those weed-out classes. Just attend a school of your liking and be yourself. Work as hard as you can and always target A as your score. One C in med school required science course may dash your hope for med school.</p>
<p>There are very good LACs with great research opps in CA. There are average LACs with research opps. There are large unis with great u/g research opps and large unis with weak research opps. One cannot make a generalization about research opps. Choose a school that will support you in your efforts. Most pre-meds will not get into med school, which is a good thing because you want only the brightest, most communicative, most studious, most compassionate people holding your child or loved one in their hands. There are lots of good schools in CA for students considering medical school.</p>
<p>Neither would significantly raise your chances in and of themselves - it would really depend on what kind of LAC vs. research university you went to. Pomona or Williams, for example, have fewer but more competitive students than Georgia State or Western Washington. However, some students may find themselves thriving in a competitive environment with driven peers, while others may be distracted or a bit lost in the huge pond that is a large research university. And vice versa - some students thrive in the large research atmosphere and would be frustrated or anxious at a small, competitive, tight-knit place.</p>
<p>You can successfully get into medical school from either kind, so I guess the real question is what kind of college experience are you looking for?</p>
<p>while not in california… muhlenberg college has relationships with two med schools with early acceptance.
muhlenberg is a great all around supportive college and maybe what you are looking for(IMO)
<a href=“http://muhlenberg.edu/main/admissions/applyingtoacooperativeprogram/”>http://muhlenberg.edu/main/admissions/applyingtoacooperativeprogram/</a></p>