<p>hey gang this is my first post, so please bear with me here...</p>
<p>my question is this: If I were pretty set on becoming a doctor in life, and on attending a prestigious medical school somewhere in the U.S. (northeast and midwest only!), what are some of your suggestions for possible schools that would suit me? </p>
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<p>profile: I'm currently a caucasian junior at a fairly well-regarded private school in the greater boston area (it's been consistently "ranked" in the top five for high schools in the state). Placed in roughly the top 5-8 out of class of 120</p>
<p>unweighted GPA: 3.8/4.0, but I've taken every possible honors and AP class available. This year's courseload includes 5 APs</p>
<p>standardized tests: SATI=2310 (reading 730/writing 780/math 800); SAT2 Chem=780; SAT2 MathIIc 800; AP Chem=5; AP Stats=5</p>
<p>community service: founded an afterschool science club (30 kids at a local public school, where high schoolers go and teach third graders. going on for two years, and looking forward to third)
leadership: class president for a year; captain of varsity sports team (we placed 2nd in states) in junior year;</p>
<h2>assorted: pianist and saxophonist in school orchestra/chamber music program; student tour guide/ambassador for admissions department; participant in model UN program</h2>
<p>Ivies would be nice, yes, but I'm looking for anything. Also, what do you think are my chances at the schools you mention?</p>
<p>Ignore any and all "med school" implications.</p>
<p>The short answer is that undergraduate institution doesn't matter for medical school admissions. The longer, qualified answer is that school can make a difference, but the things that really matter are nearly impossible to quantify and rank - things like advising, research opportunities, interview prep, and so on are available everywhere. At a large state school you might have to search out these things on your own, while they may be thrust upon you at smaller schools, but it's damn impossible to say this school has better advising than another school.</p>
<p>Ignore any stats about "med school acceptance rates". It's an extremely skewed statistic that is easily manipulated, particularly at schools with pre-med screening committees, which may in fact use their high rates to recruit you. (Meaning that the school has some odd conflicts of interest when it comes to letting some less competitive students apply to med schools as seniors). </p>
<p>Don't worry about med school prestige - there are only 125 in the US, all are excellent (93% of US second years pass step 1 boards on the first try, 94% of all US fourth years successfully match to residency). While there are some competitive residency areas where going to a "name" school might give you a little boost, there's no where that's going to categorically prevent you from getting into the field of your choice (whether you have the qualifications or not is certainly another issue, but your school won't have been the factor). And for an extra $80k - 120k in debt at a private school compared to an instate public...well, economically going to a huge "name" place might be detrimental.</p>
<p>The main point is to choose a college where you will achieve the most - academically, socially, emotionally, physically - with great balance in all those areas. You should be looking for fit only.</p>