<p>If he gets scholarships, fine. I am not questioning that some schools are better than others. But that wasn't the question the OP asked.</p>
<p>But a student with a 34 ACT is going to get into med school, assuming he does the work, wherever he goes.</p>
<p>If he is a top student at KU (as opposed to a middle of the pack one elsewhere) he is likely to get more research opportunities, better mentoring, better internships, and a higher GPA at KU than he would elsewhere.</p>
<p>So, FOR HIM, his overall college experience, as a future pre-med, MIGHT be better at KU than at the higher ranked schools (independent of the scholarship question). Things are just not so "cut-and-dried" for pre-meds.</p>
<p>Mini, my only concern is that the OP may be one of the 50% or so pre-meds who in fact never ends up going to medical school. He may decide to get a degree in Engineering or Business or some traditional discipline. Furthermore, a student who gets a merit scholarship from a university is not "middle of the road". Students with 34+ ACT scores are generally ranked in the top 25% of the class, regardless of how selective the university happens to be.</p>
<p>Well, as I said, if they shower him with money, it is an entirely different question, and NOT the one he asked. (He also didn't ask "what if I am not pre-med?" But even then, I have my doubts as to whether the $150k extra at Mich/WUSTL would be "worth it" - of course, it isn't my money.)</p>
<p>"But a student with a 34 ACT is going to get into med school, assuming he does the work, wherever he goes."</p>
<p>A high SAT or ACT does not necessarily a good grade in organic chemistry make. I would be surprised if even 50% of students aspiring for med school end up going, so it's certainly something to keep in mind. I don't think you will be hurt in apps to med school by going to KU over WUSTL or UMichigan, but you may enjoy the experience much more at a smaller school with more similar, high achieving peers like yourself, such as Northwestern, UChicago, WUSTL like others have mentioned. </p>
<p>Alex, I'm impressed you went two consecutive threads not mentioning the word, Michigan.</p>
<p>KU does have a med school. That is why I chose it over the other universities in the area. I also like the idea of going to a big school. </p>
<p>What is organic chemistry? From what I have read, it seems to be the class that basically decides if you have what it takes to become a doctor. </p>
<p>I would like to thank everyone for their insight.</p>