<p>well i wouldn't say bad...but last week when i had my junior conference with my guidance consuler, he gave me a list of schools that were divided according to their undergraduate pre-medical programs...NYU was apparently in group two...group one had about 100 or so schools....is it true that NYU's premed program isn't so strong?</p>
<p>I'm curious as to what sort of ranking your counselor was using, as to my knowledge no such official ranking exists, unless they just complied a list of schools with the top placement rates, which would be incredibly misleading because schools that use screens would benefit, and cutthroat programs wouldn't be considered. Most importantly, such a list wouldn't consider the average GPA of admitted applicants (and I'm sure it wouldn't, because most schools do not make this info available except to their students), a metric that can point out strong programs if many people are admitted with comparably low grades. As such, I would not put much stock in such a list.</p>
<p>That said, I have always thought NYU to be greatly overrated because of its location, and it's delocalized structure and reputation for neglecting undergrads could certainly hamper its advising, which could be a red flag for a potential premed. However, I'm sure that plenty of people go to NYU and succeed as premeds, so it's certainly not a terrible choice.</p>
<p>hum...thanks for your insightful comments</p>
<p>I have a close friend who went to NYU for premed. Admittedly, he's not the smartest chip on the block, but he worked very hard, studying day and night and is now very happy at UMDNJ. The moral of the story? Unless you're aiming to become a researcher, it doesn't matter which schools you go to. What matters is the amount of effort YOU put into it. This is something I only realized very recently and it has taken a whole lot of stress out of my life. I'm not so worried about where I go anymore. I would even settle for Rutgers U at this point... Work hard; this is something both my friend and people I know at a hospital I volunteer at tell me regularly.</p>
<p>It largely does not matter where you go for undergrad if you plan on med school. What is important is your GPA and MCAT score. That said, I think NYU would not be your best option due to the price, unless you get scholarships, simply b/c you'll be spending a lot on medical school. </p>
<p>Your counselor is wrong though: med school admissions are specifically less focused on where you come from compared to how you do, which is why you see many people that plan on med school going wherever they get the best scholarships/aid.</p>
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What is important is your GPA
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</p>
<p>Different GPAs mean different things from different schools. This is NOT dependent on grade inflation and it is also NOT perfectly dependent on prestige.</p>
<p>Correct, but a good GPA with a good MCAT is the key.</p>
<p>wait, didn't you just say 'correct' and then immediately disagree with the point of BDM's post?</p>
<p>I agreed with bluedevil's post but then noted that a good GPA (as in 3.7/8+) at any university coupled with a good MCAT score is the key to med school admissions. I have plenty of friends that go to relatively weaker state schools (for instance, the University of Tulsa) get a great GPA (3.9ish) and then do well on the MCAT and then have no problem getting into med school.</p>
<p>A good quote from the thread BDM linked:</p>
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If you wish to get accepted, I really think that your best bet it to be wellrounded. Make up for deficiencies by being good in other areas. If your grades are poor, do well on the MCAT, or be involved. A 3.45 with a ton of involvement and responsibility/leadership looks far better than a 3.7 with nothing.
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</p>
<p>yes, but at some of the top schools, the average rate for an admitted applicant can be in the 3.3-3.4 range, which certainly implies that school can matter quite a bit. Giving 0.2 GPA points to the national average is not a small margin in my estimation.</p>
<p>That is irrelevant, though. If one maintains a high GPA at any school and couples that with an impressive MCAT score, they fare a good chance of getting into a medical school. Of course the undergrad institution matters, as it should, but the great "standardized test" is there for a reason. Demonstration of one's intelligence for medical school by scoring well on the MCAT, in addition to a track record of dedication and a strong academic record, is an excellent combination. Obviously the better the ugrad school you go too, the better your chances at top med schools, but that is not to say that whether or not you go to one school or the other will seriously limit your options of going to med school, especially at a school of NYU's caliber.</p>
<p>It's funny, here on CC NYU may get a bad rap b/c it's "only #34" (something like that), when in fact NYU is the dream school (both socially and academically) for many students. My point is, going to NYU will not hurt you in the med school admissions process if you do well on the MCAT. Big IF.</p>
<p>Not sure why anyone would think NYU has a "bad" pre-med program. As a senior pre-med student, I certainly don't think so. The science classes are strong, especially if you take the Honors courses, and the advising is very good.</p>
<p>Stay away from this so called advisor. How anyone can say they have a list of the best pre-med programs is beyond belief. Pre-med is a group of courses to qualify you to get into medical school. There are no such professors who are world renowed for pre-med teaching or research as opposed to professors in the english, math biology (etc) departments.</p>
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That is irrelevant
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Only if you can actually get that 3.9. If you're (like me) a 3.6, it becomes quite relevant.</p>