<p>I got into both, but I am still confused over which one to attend. I like both schools, but I feel that UCLA is superior to UM in all respects (e.g. academics, social life, research, prestige, etc.). Still, should I not give up on Miami? I mean, I still would not have a problem going there, but I have to be absolutely sure that I want to be in Miami for the next eight years of my life. Any thoughtful advice would be helpful.</p>
<p>Miami HPM... CLEARLY. Honestly, I don't see ANY reason why you should give a damn about prestige. Why should you see youself any different based on the university you go to? Will you even notice a difference in academics? Biology is biology... and Miami is NOT a slacker school by any means. Getting into U Miami medical school, needing only a 3.5/26 MCAT is a GREAT situation to be in.</p>
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I feel that UCLA is superior to UM in all respects (e.g. academics, social life, research, prestige, etc.).
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<p>These feelings are important.</p>
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I don't see ANY reason why you should care about prestige
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<p>This is true. So, okay, let's strike prestige from the above list.</p>
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I feel that UCLA is superior to UM in all respects (e.g. academics, social life, research, etc.).
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<p>Go to UCLA.</p>
<p>Right now, I'm leaning towards Miami. I know it's an up and coming school, especially its medical program. I just won't rush to any decision yet. You're, I shouldn't give a **** about a prestige. Most of the world's greatest doctors didn't study at the "top" schools.</p>
<p>That's true, but the other three things you mentioned are all very important. So if you like them better at UCLA (and notice that I'm not telling you UCLA is necessarily better, just affirming that these criteria are important) then go there.</p>
<p>Well, you have to consider that you're probably getting a full tuition scholarship from U Miami. If you were planning to do research just for resume purposes, strike that off your list because with a direct program... who cares?</p>
<p>One thing I've learned from this process is that combined programs are in essence a guarantee of the obvious. Most of us are talented enough to get into medical school after 4 years of undergrad. So, when you are deciding between colleges, pick the college that you would like more (strike prestige, and strike the med guarantee). If you would like to be at UCLA, then go there, work hard, and you will most definitely end up in medical school in 4 years.</p>
<p>XCRUNNER18:</p>
<p>yes, combined med program are the reflection of the obvious.. seeing that ppl who get into bs/md programs will get into med school, GIVEN that they maintain academic and extra-curricular rigor all thru undergrad.</p>
<p>the point of a combined progam is so that you DONT have the academic stresses on you during undergrad, and so that you DONT feel pressured to do med-related research and volunteer work... so... unless you want to be working you ass off in undergrad just like you did in HS to get into the colleges you wanted, i suggest just going to the combined med program, so that you can take the next few years sort of easy before you hit med school</p>
<p>angad19</p>
<p>see this is the problem, you make it sound like for these kids once they get into a program - its a joke and everythings so easy...
no...thats how you find yourself in my position
once you're in, you still have goddamn work hard - its not a walk in the park</p>
<p>if you want to accomplish this goal in life of being a doctor, dont think you can take breaks right now</p>
<p>sure certain programs may be less stressful than going somewhere like cornell or jhu for undergrad but still, it isn't like oh i go to cornell premed i have to work my ass off and if i go to this program i just sit around doing nothing all day - thats a faulty comparison</p>
<p>I think he meant that you don't have to stress or work AS hard as if you were in a regular undergrad. It's obvious that you have to work hard whereever you go.</p>
<p>thank you imagination power. someone understands.</p>
<p>I just meant that you dont have the stresses of MCATS. You dont have the stresses of HAVING to do research to beef up your resume. You dont have the stresses of getting a 3.7 GPA (most places are lower than that). You don't have the stresses of applying to 10-20 med schools. </p>
<p>Of course you can't slack off, cuz if you do, you'll get slaughtered at med school, but you CAN afford to take it easy if you're in a combined med program.</p>
<p>I mean, i'm going to NU HPME next year, and they only require 3.2 GPA, which I am psyched about. And if I want to do research, it will be because I want to, on my terms, and not cuz i HAVE to.
IVYBOUND1010: if you don't mind me asking, which combined med program are you in?.. cuz... it kinda sounds like its killing you as much as normal premed... which is weird for a combined med program.</p>
<p>I think what Ivybound means is that when you're in a combined program, psychologically, you don't want to work as hard. Thus, when you're enrolled in a class of utmost importance such as Organic Chemistry, the complexity of the material combined with your lack of motivation can lead to negative consequences.</p>
<p>Thus, Ivybound is asking is that students keep everything in perspective and to not put themselves into a cycle of bad grades.</p>
<p>good point xcrunner. thanks!</p>
<p>it's not always a guarantee of the obvious...you never know what can happen...financially, academically, personal problems...I know a few people who went to a top school and now either can't get into ANY med school or are worried they won't be able to. It's really competitive at those schools because everyone is very talented. Getting in is one thing and performing well enough to get into a med school after you're there is another.</p>
<p>The challenge posted on another thread remains: show me somebody who turned down a medical program for a top-ten undergrad and then got rejected everywhere when the time came to apply. Find a substantive rejection, and then we'll talk.</p>