Hello,
I’m going right up to the line with decisions and I’d like some advice from the CC community. I’m currently an IL resident looking to pursue medical school (I’ve been exposed to the field and coursework relating to a career in medicine my whole life and I’m decided on this path). I’m currently torn between:
Loyola University Chicago
University of Wisconsin— Madison
University of Illinois— Urbana Champaign
University of Florida— Gainesville
Florida is the cheapest option as it’s through prepaid while Madison is the most expensive. Price isn’t too much of a concern as my family has set aside money for this purpose and we would be able to receive a refund through the prepaid program (but it wouldn’t cover even a year at any school but UF).
I’ve been accepted into the Honors Program for UF & UW Madison and would like to go
to the school that won’t be too competitive for research and grade achievement while still attending a school that would allow me to apply for medical schools of all levels—Ivy League and whatnot should that be the plan. My best friends are going to UIUC but only
one is a pre Med. I have two close friends going to UF (both pre Med) and a few peers who I’m not too close to going to UW Madison, one of whom is a pre Med. I just want to decide and be set on whatever place is the best for me to stay focused while also living a life. I don’t party with the whole drinking scene but I have fun with hangouts and physical activities like basketball and lifting. I’d also want to make sure that the school isn’t known to make it impossible for students to attain a Med school worthy gpa via deflation and such. If anyone has a particular major recommendation in mind that’d be appreciated too— I’m currently listed as biochem but I think that’d be too much extra coursework to focus on the MCAT so I was thinking something applicable to medicine but not to general as biology.
Any and all helpful advice would be appreciated!!! Thank you all.
UF. Did you write the essay to be considered for honors?
Yes I did. There were multiple. Why UF?
Second most students accepted to medical school last year in the country Tuition is paid for already snd you must qualify for bright futures. Climate. Sports. Great reputation and getting better by the year. Built in support system for you in Florida. Travel time and costs. Best class in school history in terms of student achievement. Buildings going up and access to super research. And a chance to go have some fun on occasion.
Where did you find those statistics for medical school? Can I qualify for bright futures as an IL resident with Florida prepaid? I also have the option to start UF during the summer B term so I’m not sure if that’s worth doing over fall. Thanks for your fast replies by the way it’s awesome that people can help out so fast!
UF because it is already paid for. Ask your parents if they could use what they would spend elsewhere to help pay for med school.
That’s the plan! If cost wasn’t part of the question would you still say UF?
No. Since you had Florida prepaid I thought you were fl resident. But it’s still prepaid. Right?
You also have the medical honors program which is an admission into uf med school after your sophomore year. It’s uber competitive but what the heck. Why not you.
I’ll try and find a link to the data. It was a big number like 700 applied and 300 got in. But don’t quote me on those numbers. I’m going from memory on this but we had a paid college admissions person working for us and it was a school my d was looking at closely for pre med
Yes it is still prepaid we are not FL residents anymore. That would be awesome! Would you say that I should choose UF over UIUC even if I felt that UIUC would be better for my comfort level since my best friends are going there? Any thoughts on Madison or Loyola?
No wouldn’t suggest that all. UIUC is fantastic in its own right. Up until this basketball season Loyola of c. Wasn’t on my radar. But it is obviously a well known d 1 school. And they have sister Jean. UW is also fantastic.
Such good choices. The only thing I would be suggesting strongly is to not base this in any way on where your high school friends are going. People evolve and develop new friends and new networks. Some will be long term friends and others you happy to see at reunions and Facebook. But stretch yourself and try new things. We tend to get tied down into path in life after schooling that doesn’t allow for the type of personal exploration and growth the next four years will offer you.
I say UF because i think it has so much momentum in a positive direction. And it has wonderful weather.