Does a private school or high tier cal state look better to Med schools? Any thoughts?
No. What looks better to med schools is an applicant whose application exhibits the characteristics that would make an applicant a good MD (eg strong academically (as exhibited by competitive GPAs, MCAT), compassionate, altruistic, team player, good communication skills, fit with school’s mission statement, research oriented, etc (as exhibited by ECs, LORs, interview, PS). Things like major, school attended, course rigor, although not of zero importance, are much less important.
Med schools don’t care whether the undergrad is private or public. Med schools care about science and cum GPA, MCAT score, medically related ECs, and so forth. They don’t care about school name or private vs public. They don’t care about choice of major.
What matters: overall GPA, science GPA, MCAT scores, ECs and a good interview. Where you went to school and your choice of major is largely irrelevant. Study what you love but do well.
Thanks everyone! 