Pre Med Questions

<p>1) I aspire to pursue a career as a neurologist. I was looking on the UT Austin website and noticed that under the College of Natural Sciences, it said that it strongly encourages all premed students to pursue a BA. I thought this was odd because I thought that doctors usually have. BS in say Chemistry or Microbiology or some other science field. What is the difference in a BA and BS when going for pre med? Do you learn different material, or are you taught in a different manner?</p>

<p>2) I don't currently live in Texas, but my family plans to move there very soon if my parents get jobs there, which is very likely. I know that once we do move there, they will insist that I go to UT Austin and give me no other option because it's close to home, less for in state tuition, etc. Now I know that UT Austin is a very good college, and I'm not opposed to going there. I just want to know if comparatively, it is on par with Ivy Leagues, Stanford, etc. I'm saying this because I've dreamed of going to one of those schools since I was little, and I've only recently heard of UT Austin's accolades. </p>

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

<p>The idea is that you will learn all of the necessary sciences in medical school so they prefer students to instead spend their time in undergrad being well-rounded. The BA degree plan allows more elective space for you to do this. “Strongly encouraged” might be an overstatement, though. I would say that most still get the BS.</p>

<p>Thank you, frever. Does anyone know something about my second question? Any insight would be appreciated!</p>

<p>Honestly, for premed, Ivy Leagues aren’t that big of a deal. You can get into any of the top medical schools from any undergrad school. And UT is supposed to be a public ivy, so it is still has a decent amount of prestige. But imo, odds are you might not even get into an Ivy (no offense). So you really shouldn’t worry about the choice between UT Austin and an Ivy until the time comes. You should be worrying about getting in…</p>

<p>But if I were in your shoes, I would choose UT Austin 100% over and over again. With the way the economy is going, I don’t see the value in a 200k undergrad education over a 80k undergrad education when both can get you to the same place. I’ll also feel like I would be surrounded by a bunch of people who are stuck-up, rich, spoiled, or just take everything to seriously (Not describing everyone there).</p>

<p>If I got a great scholarship to an Ivy… well that’s another story to be told.</p>