<p>I know this topic is prosaic and probably been inquired about a billion times. I used to think that I wanted to go to law school, but I am really wanting to go to medical school now. I loved my PAP Chem class, and I am so stoked for AP Biology. I didn't even want to have WUSTL on my list because I have heard horror stories about the harsh curves for pre meds. Is it more difficult than say Johns Hopkins and Cornell? Would I be ill prepared because I will have only had AP Bio and AP Calc in the math/science area and not AP Chem & Physics?</p>
<p>are you applying to WUSTL this year ? Personally, I’ve never heard any horror stories about harsh curves. study hard and you’ll be fine, it’s tough to compare it to JHU or Cornell but there’s no real need to. All have tough premed programs, and if you survive any of them, chances are you’ll be admitted to a good medical school. Don’t worry about needing the AP chem and physics. I have physics (B&C) but just regular chem and bio (non AP) and I think that’s fine. </p>
<p>but on another note, do not, i repeat, DO NOT apply to colleges thinking “oh WashU has a great premed program so I’ll apply there”. Apply to the schools you fit into best and see where you get into. All of the top schools will have great premed programs and it doesn’t matter that much which school you attend. And since you said you changed your mind from law school to medical school has me thinking you might just be going through a phase right now, so apply to schools for their environment and academics (pre-professional programs aside) and see where you get in. Good luck!</p>
<p>Noob, I don’t want this to sound awkward or anything, but I admire you greatly! That is the best response I think I have ever received on a CC thread. You had constructive criticism but really knew how to analyze the situation. lol You get a gold star on giving advice! haha The thing is, I know somewhat mediocre students that are able to get into medical school because their school is not as highly ranked but it is easier to maintain a high gpa. I have heard that many top students @ JHU, WashU, and even Cornell drop out of pre med like flies due to harsh curves. I almost feel like the decision weighs between excelling at a mediocre school or being the bottom of the barrel at a prestigious university. I know I will probably receive some flak for that statement, but it is how I feel. Are there any WashU students out there that could comment on this?</p>
<p>It’s definitely true that a very large percentage of the kids who enter as “pre-med” will not go to the medical school, but that’s a combination of several factors. A lot of students discover other interests that aren’t related to medicine and pursue those instead. The pre-med classes really aren’t so hard that you can’t do well in them with hard work.</p>
<p>hahah, thank you! but i don’t think I deserve that much credit. I know it’s easy to think about chances at medical school, but just know that to get good grades you need to be really happy with your surroundings (teachers, peers, where you live), all of which will contribute to your interest in the sciences and medicine. Again, don’t focus too much on what’s better, attending a prestigious university with a low gpa or a mediocre school with a high one. Forget all that. Go to the school you love best, that makes you want to learn, that makes you happy to be there, then I promise you’ll find your true passions (whether they be medicine or not). A lot of the students that drop out of pre-med will say later that they really didn’t have the passion for medicine. The curves have to be placed to separate the dedicated from the not so dedicated. I know grades in college might scare you now as you think about grad school, but just enjoy the application process. Apply to schools thinking “I love Yale’s residential college system” or “I could definitely see myself living in NYC at Columbia or NYU”. Wherever you go, the pre-med programs will be rigorous but won’t be impossible. Good luck!</p>
<p>Even the most dedicated pre-meds will admit there’s even a SMALL chance that they will drop medical school from their list of dreams. The WORST case scenario is if you pick the mediocre college then chance your mind about med school. The BEST is you pick the university that suits you best (prestigious or not) and you change your mind.</p>
<p>Lurking physician other school parent here. Nooob has excellent words of advice. Choose your college based on the best fit for you. Students from all schools can get into a medical school, you want the best education from a school for you, regardless of your future occupation. Remember, premed is an intention, not a major.</p>