I can’t decide between Pitt or Penn State main for my undergraduate degree in pre med. If I go Penn State for pre med will i still look good for prestigious medical schools like U washington, Duke and Cornell.
What will look good for prestigious medical schools like U washington, Duke and Cornell is a competitive application in all respects (eg high GPA and sGPA, strong MCAT (and sub scores), strong LORs, solid ECs, a compelling PS explaining why medicine, doing well on interview.) I’d also add some luck, and if so inclined, prayer may help. The name of the school on your diploma is not of zero importance, but it is not as important as what you have done while attending either Pitt or Penn State or wherever. Most students who start as premed change their minds and in last reported cycle, 59% of all students who actually applied failed to start anywhere. All US med schools are good schools. It’s quite the feat to get one acceptance.
RE: UWashington Unless you live in a WWAMI state (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) you should take UWash off your list right now. UWash does not accept OOR applicants no matter where they go to undergrad.
As for “prestigious” medical schools–getting in is on you. Where you attend undergrad is only of minor importance. What you achieve in undergrad–your grades, test scores, the quality of your ECs, the professional contacts you make with your professors–that’s what’s important.
As @Jugulator20 mentioned, most (~75%) freshmen pre-med never actually apply to med school. And of those that do–60% fail to get accepted anywhere. Don’t worry so much about the prestige of your future med school; worry about doing well enough in college in get accepted to a medical school.
What is your home state??? You won’t get into UWash unless you’re from a wwami state…
Med schools won’t care which school you pick. Prestigious schools won’t care either. They want students with top stats, research, medically related ECs, volunteering.
What are your current test scores and gpa
There is no overall significant academic difference between Penn State and Pittsburgh. Both are very good large Universities. I would imagine that costs should be about the same. Pittsburgh does have a world class medical school on campus which might give you a small benefit in looking for research opportunities. Pennsylvania resident?