<p>Hi, I know that there is a similar thread going around similar to this, but my situation is quite different from that of the OP from there, so here goes:</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure tuition costs for NU/Cal will be quite similar for me, since I'm international and thus have no financial aid either way. Although, my dad works in Wisconsin, so I might be able to get in-state tuition at Madison.</p>
<p>I basically applied as undecided College of Arts and Sciences for all 3 schools, and am quite unsure about what I want to major in; am leaning towards either biology/neuroscience or statistics. However, my goal after college is definitely medical school, so pre-med is a definite possibility. </p>
<p>Could anyone give me any recommendations about what pre-med is like at these schools and how difficult it is to keep a high GPA while still having a social life?</p>
<p>Prerequisites are used as weeder courses, and yes, can be stingy with grades. That being said, if you’re a strong, dedicated, independent student, Berkeley has a lot to offer. It’s a very dynamic university (one of the top research universities in the world) located in a stunning setting with plenty of year round recreational and cultural opportunities.</p>
<p>But are premed students at NU or premed at UCB more likely to be successful in getting into medical school?</p>
<p>Also, do you know if prestige of undergrad college factors into medical school application? Like is a 3.8 at NU or UCB “better” than a 3.8 at UWM?</p>
<p>Going by our D’s experience, who attended an Ivy and is in medical school currently, prestige did play a role in admissions. A somewhat lower GPA from a top school will outweigh a higher GPA from a not-so-top school. Also, for medical school admissions, it is the Science GPA that is considered, not the overall GPA.</p>
<p>The question of if the undergrad school’s prestige affects medical school admission decisions is a controversial one and is raised a lot on these types of forums. It does depend on the particular medical school but in general the answer is yes, it can help to have gone to a more regarded undergraduate institution. However, it doesn’t make a huge difference, and won’t offset low stats. In short, the undergraduate school you attended is “considered”, but is not “very important”.</p>
<p>Of course it’s tough. Northwestern is one of the best universities in the world, not just the country. The acceptance rate was 13.9%. Is the premed tough, that’s like asking is Harvard’s premed tough… 3.8 is going to take a ton of hard work, intelligence, all-nighters, and little social life most likely.</p>
<p>Being international, getting into med school is going to be very very tough. I’m confident you’ll do well, but why not hedge yourself by going somewhere that will open the most opportunities if you decide another route.</p>
<p>NU premed placement is really solid. That said, the courses are hard. Like, really hard. There’s a term called ‘the Northwestern smiley face.’ That’s the shape your term GPA will take. Sophomore year is biology and organic chemistry, year long, with a lab for each. Might be physics and biochem in there somewhere too.</p>
<p>The math and stats profs I’ve had have been excellent. So has the psychology prof I’ve had, though that’s only tangentially related to neuroscience.</p>
<p>Edit: If you’re going for a 3.8, your social life is over unless you’re some sort of genius superstar. You’re going to be fighting to stay on top of the curve. Department policies are generally to guarantee at least the letter grade that corresponds to your percentage correct on the exam? i.e. 90% = A- or better, etc. Average scores will be between 20% and 70%. Dat curve.</p>
<p>Granted that the profs I’ve had set the average to B- to A-, but still. Sciences tend to be less forgiving there.</p>