^dont see anywhere where he said they did. Advising a student not to apply and forbidding a student to apply are two separate things but both help reduce the denominator in med school applicants while maintaining the numerator. Former HCO dean Andrew Simmons was notorious for making people cry because he held no punches when it came to telling kids their chances of getting into med school. No way Duke doesn’t do the same. I think very few schools flat out refuse to endorse kids but a lukewarm endorsement is just as bad.
The Duke health professions office does not preclude anyone from applying. But if you come with a GPA of 3.0 and a bunch of Bs in hard science classes they will do their best to get you to see reality. I don’t know much about Johns Hopkins, but I have also heard that some schools the committee won’t even let you apply if your GPA is below a certain threshold.
@sgopal2 is correct that it can be difficult to compare the numbers because some schools disuade students from applying to medical schools to keep their percentages high. Wellesley has tough grading, but a lot of faculty support, small classes, access to research at Wellesley, access to classes/activities, etc. at MIT and an amazing alumni network. You can get a fabulous recommendation from faculty who know you when you aren’t sitting in classes with 500 other premeds.
Brown also has a real focus on undergraduate teaching and research. Its grading is much easier, but you will be applying to medical school against others in your class with the same grading scale. They do not put barriers to applying to med school, so their numbers are good to look at. I know Brown and Wellesley very well, Duke only through two visits. Duke is a great school, with loads of resources, but I think you need to be a lot more independent and outgoing to make use of them then you would at Wellesley. So its up to you how much of a self starter you are. All good schools so go where you will shine and be happy!
@marzzz: have you made a choice? And how did you finally decide?
@MYOS1634 I finally made my decision and its…WELLESLEY!! I’m dying of excitement! I know for sure that it was the right decision. Finally looked passed prestigious and ranking and chose the place I know is best suited to the kind of person I am right now. Plus, eight people whose opinions I really value and who know me well (including one counselor) said Wellesley is the right option for me. Thanks for helping me out with the decision everyone!
And yeah, Duke would have been much cheaper than Wellesley but ultimately Wellesley was still affordable. My parents said go where you’ll be the happiest, a little extra money won’t matter (about $5k per year :P)
prestige*
Congratulations!
Congratulations!