<p>Hey all, I have a few quick questions about SLU.</p>
<p>First let me explain a bit: I am choosing between UC Berkeley, UCLA and SLU Medical Scholars program. (btw, I am a California resident.) Basically, the SLU requirements are: 3.5 GPA and (from the grapevine I heard) 27 MCAT. To be honest, I think that this is doable on my part without too much stress. However, if I choose SLU over UCB and UCLA, I intend to work as hard as possible and, if I accumulate a good GPA, MCAT and extracurriculars, then I will formally decline the guarantee and apply to other medical schools. This has led me to a few questions</p>
<li><p>If I formally tell the SLU administration during my third year that I would like to apply to other med schools and waiver my guarantee, will they discourage me or try and stop me? (ie: write a bad rec.)</p></li>
<li><p>Do you think that it will be much more difficult to get into a good med school from SLU than UCLA or UCB?</p></li>
<li><p>If anyone is in this program, could someone tell me about their overall impressions of it.</p></li>
<li><p>Which would you pick: UCLA/UCB or SLU.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>well, depends what you want. slu is not that great a med school. it is not ranked on the us news. but im sure if u went there, u could be a fine doc. but like if u go to ucb or ucla, u might end up at a better med school. then again, ucb and ucla have cutthroat premed environments. it could be that u might even be rejected.</p>
<p>ucla is one of the most cutthroat pre-med schools (because of the grading system, its curved and based on how people in the class do on tests). I definitely would suggest taking the med program.</p>
<p>it depends how good ur GPA and MCAT. I know one alumni from our high school went to UCB. Got his department citation award from bioengineering
and got in Case medical school within one month of interview. But he is very dedicated. So, no matter where you go. If you are the type of student who is at the top of the rank, you will able to get in. I'm the type of student who is good, but not at the top of the class. I will try for some peace of mind and I will try the MCAT hoping for better medical school.</p>
<p>"Medical Scholars must complete an undergraduate degree at Saint Louis University with a major chosen from those available within the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Allied Health Professions (Clinical Laboratory Sciences, only) or Parks College (Biomedical Engineering only). Junior and Senior Medical Scholars must complete lectures and laboratories in Physics (Organic Chemistry for BME majors) and take an upper division science course fall and spring semester selected from an approved list. These are science courses relevant to a medical school curriculum. They must also maintain their 3.50/3.50 grade averages. At the appropriate time, Medical Scholars are also required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT); however, the score does not affect admission. Medical Scholars are expected to achieve their highest possible score on the MCAT."</p>
<p>From what I've heard, they do it for statistical purposes anyway (i.e.: report scores to AAMC.) With that said, you should aim for at least a 30 for, if anything, personal fulfillment.</p>