<p>I just got accepted to Princeton, and I'm thinking about going to medical school later on. So, obviously I would want to follow a pre-med track (concentration in the natural/life sciences). I am aware of grade deflation at Princeton, so how would this affect my med school chances?</p>
<p>It’s something to think about. The grading in the science classes has not changed since the introduction of grade deflation- the MOL department already had something like 37% As before the introduction of the policy. The rumor my year was that the physics department actually had to increase the number of As to get anywhere near 35%. So in that respect it shouldn’t affect you too much. There is grade deflation in the humanities classes, but its not nearly as bad as most people make it seem. It’s not too difficult to keep a 3.5/3.6 overall-- even taking hard classes and having a social life. </p>
<p>I know plenty of people my year at top medical schools (2 at hopkins, 2/3 columbia, harvard md/phd, etc), and all of them had serious lives outside of school. I was thinking about being premed for awhile, and met with some adcoms, and they all knew about the policy and encouraged me to apply. I wouldn’t worry too much, but if you are worried you can talk to the pre-med advising department during prefrosh week.</p>
<p>^Okay, that makes me feel better. Thanks for that info. I’ve just always heard that at least a 3.7 is needed for top med schools (preferably a 3.8+). I’m sure that must be very hard to get at Princeton, but is it manageable? Also, would med schools view a 3.7 from Princeton much higher than a 3.8 or 3.9 at another school simply because it’s harder to get a 3.7 at Princeton, or is GPA just simply GPA to med schools?</p>
<p>bump
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<p>I’m not exactly sure what their grades were… you could ask at pre med advising, they used to have a list up online of average grades + mcat scores of accepted princeton students at each med school, but I’m not sure exactly where that list is.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know the acceptance rate for Princeton Pre-Meds was like 90% (which is obviously very good). I wonder if they have a list of where they got in.</p>
<p>You should ask the Health Advising folks if you come over during pre-frosh week. They maintain such a list.</p>
<p>Which week is pre-frosh week - is it the one in April (either April 16-18 or April 23-25), or is it the week in September right before classes begin?</p>
<p>The one in April, sorry. I know it’s technically called something like “Princeton Preview”.</p>
<p>Cool, I believe I’m coming to the April 23-25 one, so I’ll definitely get in touch with those in Health Advising. Thanks.</p>