<p>^^ yes, that true and is definitely a pro for Stanford. But again, does it outweigh the guaranteed spot at UCSD?</p>
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<p>I am under the impressition that the average GPA at Stanford is something like 3.60 to 3.66…</p>
<p>I believe that having a condition that you need to get a 3.5 GPA at Caltech means that getting into UCSD Med School is no longer “guaranteed”.</p>
<p>Hmm… okay, so it seems like a 3.76 would not be too difficult. I think knowing this and with phasma’s advice, I am leaning toward Stanford. I am still interested in hearing which school you would pick though.</p>
<p>^^ yes, if you get below 3.5, you’re spot is not guaranteed.</p>
<p>wait, nvm, I think I get what you’re saying. Yes, getting a 3.5 will probably still be lots of work. But, not to be over-confident or arrogant, I think I will be able to manage a 3.5. As I mentioned before, current Caltech students have told me it’s not too difficult.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t think you’d have a problem getting into UCSD if you did well at Stanford (and given the grade inflation + the many resources designed to help you, you have a high chance of doing well at Stanford). The ones you’d have to worry about are the very top ones. But of course, you’d have to worry about them no matter where you go. Again, though, I think Stanford would give you the best chance of getting into those top programs.</p>
<p>Yes, you run a risk by going to Stanford (you’re declining your guaranteed spot with UCSD), but I can say with certainty that it’s much more fulfilling and worthwhile to risk for something you want more (like going to a top MD/PhD program) than to settle because you’re afraid of the risk. Aside from the “wonder” factor–“would I have gotten in? What would have happened if I chose to take that risk?”–you can be content that, even if things don’t work out eventually, you did the best you could with what you were given. To illustrate, imagine in a few years, you’re graduating from not-UCSD and you have offers in hand from the top MD/PhD programs; you’d be thinking to yourself, it’s a damn good thing I didn’t go to UCSD. But if you went there and followed the typical path that’s been laid out for those in the program, you’d be thinking “what if?”</p>
<p>Fortunately for you, you have an option that affords you a lot in that regard. From a risk analysis perspective, you reduce that risk the most by going to Stanford. I think that MIT and Caltech would increase the risk of not getting into MD/PhD programs, though, given their grade deflation.</p>
<p>And this is all independent from the general fact that Stanford offers an awesome undergraduate experience. Forget which one has the most grade inflation; you’re going to do your best work wherever you are happiest. I can’t guarantee that you’ll be happy at Stanford, but I can say that people here are pretty happy. There’s a reason that Stanford is consistently placed at the top of the “happiest students” lists, or the “best classroom experience” lists, or the “best quality of life” lists. I think students in general do well here because they’re content with their life at Stanford. </p>
<p>As a related point, you could go to MIT or Caltech and do well enough there (i.e. get high grades) to get into top MD/PhD programs. But as said, given their GPA-killing cultures, you’d likely have to work much, much harder to get that. That’s not to say that working harder is bad; but rather, it very well could come at the expense of your happiness as an undergrad. Walking away with acceptance letters to the top MD/PhD programs is meaningless if you didn’t enjoy your time as an undergrad. College is the time to have fun–your best years, the “years you’ll always remember.” Don’t underestimate the value of being happy in your time as an undergrad. </p>
<p>Now, if you feel that you’d be happier at MIT, Caltech or UCSD, then by all means go there. But I *really *don’t think that it’s a big deal that you’re forgoing a BS/MD spot, especially in favor of attending one of the most elite schools in the world. And of course, that elite school gives you amazing opportunities, not just to get into MD/PhD programs, but in general.</p>
<p>Good luck deciding–I don’t think there’s a way for you to go wrong here. :)</p>
<p>36 ACT, 2370 SAT, and 4.0 tells me that if you put in standard effort at stanford, a 3.8 shouldn’t be too difficult. Premeds have to be good at test-taking, and it appears you are.</p>
<p>Just to add: I want to make it clear that I wouldn’t be supporting Stanford regardless of your choices (because I’m a student here). If Yale or similar schools were on the table, I’d say go there, because they offer the same advantages of Stanford and would be a change of scenery for you. But I think that given your goals, Stanford is easily your most sensible option.</p>
<p>But again, it depends on where you’ll be happiest, which is where you’ll thrive. If you wouldn’t be happy at Stanford, then it’s not smart to choose it.</p>
<p>personally I’d go to Cambridge</p>
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My son had similar stats plus he was very strong in math among others. His current (junior) GPA at Stanford is 3.90.</p>
<p>phanta, thanks for your inputs. I will be visiting all three schools before 5/1, and hopefully based off of these visits I will be able to tell where “I will be happiest.” Are you a premed at Stanford? If so, do you know the actual acceptance rate into UCSD med? Do the kids who get in have to do amazing things (like open a clinic in Africa), or do they just get good GPAs, MCATs, and maybe do some shadowing?</p>
<p>Senior, yea, Cambridge is awesome, but there are lots of logistical difficulties applying to US med schools from the UK. Harvard med says they rarely accept international students.</p>
<p>ewho, thanks for the info. Do you know if your son is working his butt off to get a 3.9? Does he have any tips (regarding classes to take, etc)?</p>
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<p>whoaa nelly!</p>
<p>congratulations</p>
<p>what is he looking to do afterwards?</p>
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He had a little trouble on IHUM etc in his freshman year, and his junior year has been fine. He needed to adjust himself for the quarter system. Otherwise, Stanford is similar to his prep school where he was the class valedictorian.</p>
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No med school for sure.</p>
<p>Dude:</p>
<p>Thou doth think too much… appreciate your multiple acceptances to killer elite colleges.</p>
<p>Your over-analysis expresses indecision and will lead to further confusion…
Instead, follow your heart and gut. FIT MATTERS. PERFORMANCE MATTERS. Finding the RIGHT MENTOR MATTERS. You have a long haul ahead so pace yourself. Go where you FEEL THE BEST!!!</p>
<p>Since (OVERALL AMAZING) Grades wrt Undergrad College (Stanford/CalTech-UCSD/MIT, etc. … are all top schools), MCAT, Essays, Research, Recs, Interview*** especially – PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLES TO DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE MED SCHOOL for the Mud-Phud.</p>
<p>Many applicants prefer UCSD FOR MED >> StanfordMed, HMS, YMS, JHU… the typical elites. Moreover, UCSD is statistically HARDER TO GET ACCEPTED TO THAN ALL THE REST - do your research. </p>
<p>AdComs respond to smart, passionate, honest, creative yet conservative candidates: who contribute and benefit from their environment(s). Regardless of actual school name. It all matters. Moroever, the “spin”/presentation of who you genuinely are as a person and future medical scientist MATTERS MOST. PRESENTATION, BABY!!!</p>
<p>And for many M.D.'s / Mud-Phuds, UCSD is more desirable overall… S. California, local R&D Firms/VCs, beachside location!!! (regardless of financial concerns, either way).</p>
<p>The most overall, personable (and attractive) M.D./Ph.D. candidate I met graduated from –</p>
<ul>
<li>CUNY: Hunter College - A City University/Community College!!!</li>
</ul>
<p>She currently attends Harvard Medical School – as an Mud-Phud candy!!! </p>
<p>(Although I did not go MD/PhD, I did time at Stanford, Oxford, Dartmouth/Brown Joint M.D., Ucla MBA/Film… )</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK!!!</p>
<p>@corpuscallosum</p>
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<p>I’m not a premed, but I have a lot of friends who are premed. I don’t know what the acceptance rate is, but I can assure you that you don’t need to be THAT amazing to get into UCSD med.</p>
<p>@IvyStanford</p>
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<p>Really? Because Stanford’s school of medicine has the lowest acceptance rate in the country for a university. Does UCSD have higher stats? 'Cause I don’t think so.</p>
<p>Med School Acceptance Rates</p>
<p>3.3% - Stanford
5.4% - UCSD</p>
<p>A present for Corpus:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/2118856-post14.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/2118856-post14.html</a></p>
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<p>Not that it matters, but Stanford’s is 2.6%.</p>
<p>^^^yours must be the latest one, USNWR is usually a year late on these things</p>
<p>that 2.6% is the lowest acceptance rate of anything I have seen</p>
<p>“I don’t know what the acceptance rate is, but I can assure you that you don’t need to be THAT amazing to get into UCSD med.”</p>
<p>That’s good to know. Do you think that’s just because of the Stanford name or are Stanford premeds just that good? Are your premed friends stressed and constantly doing extracurriculars to boost their resumes? </p>
<p>Like I said, I don’t plan on slacking off in college, but I don’t want to be stressed 24/7.</p>