<p>I was wondering what some "good" pre-med schools are. By "good", you can interpret it in any way, just as long as you clarify. I am currently a junior with a total GPA of 4.18 and a grades 10-12 academic GPA (for me, up to first semester of grade 11) of 4.32. I rank in the top 1% at my school (luckily). However, I'm not ranked #1... probably either 4 or 5 (my junior class is probably between 500-600 students), but I can live with that... it's not the end of the world. I'm currently in International Baccalaureate (IB) and I take the toughest courseload at my school. I live in California. Can anyone suggest:</p>
<p>1) Which pre-med schools are "good" or would possibly fit me.</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>2) Is there anything I could specifically do to increase my chances of getting into those colleges, such as medical-related community service work?</p>
<p>and possibly...</p>
<p>3) Which pre-med schools have been known to give out generous scholarships for incoming freshmen?</p>
<p>As of now, I have considered UCSD, but I understand that I'm holding too narrow a scope of pre-med schools. Any help would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>i was about to Post the same topic,im curious as well anmd wondering if there are any in the North East of the US that are good quality,since i wouldnt like to get to far from home</p>
<p>Honestly, the higher ranked the school the better chance you have. Top LACs are also amazing. Here's a tip: Avoid the pre-med factories (JHU, Cornell, Emory, Rice, etc), they are too cutthroat and you need to be at the top of the top there to excel. Go to the best school where you can get the highest GPA. Stanford, most of the Ivies, the top LACS, the top state schools are all great places for this.</p>
<p>Agree with slipper but would add that even coming out of a middling state school a top student would have a great chance of acceptance in state.</p>
<p>Agree with oldman on the middling state school. Ohio State wants a minimum 3.5 GPA, they barely distinguish between Harvard and the University of Toledo. Private (non-top) schools will give a boost to better schools, but likely not enough of one. You can still get in with a 3.2-3.3ish from a top school though. The top schools will let in plenty of 3.7-3.8s from Ivies, but you will need almost a 4.0 and an amazing MCAT from middling state. Its all about what you are targeting. If you want Penn, Harvard, or even Northwestern Med go to a good school and do well, if you want middling state med school go to the place that will get you the highest GPA.</p>
<p>Slipper - i think you really overgeneralized in your post, saying to avoid premed factories like JHU and Rice (???). THe truth is that there are thousands and thousands of people who graduated from the schools that you named in that post and are now doctors. It just takes the right type of student. I don't know really what type of student the OP is, but I think many of the schools you listed have a lot to offer.</p>
<p>Though I am clearly biased by being a rice pre-med, I think that also makes me plenty qualified to tell you that Rice pre-meds are competitive with themselves, but are not competitive with their classmates. No one will steal your notes, contaminate your labwork, or refuse to help you with a concept you are stuggling with. </p>
<p>I'm not agreeing that the Ivys are better for pre-med, really, but i think you are right in your main point - go to the best school you can and get the best GPA there.</p>
<p>There are thousands who went to JHU and Cornell, sure. But there are also thousands who have been weeded out. Literally my friend from JHU comments on how cutthroat the pre-meds are there, not only for grades, but for research opportunities, etc. Maybe Rice should not be on that list, but I know many people at JHU and Cornell who have to struggle for a good pre-med GPA. If you can excel at these places you are in anywhere, and there are many who go to these and go to med school. There are countless though who end up dropping their first chemistry course also. Perhaps Rice isnt in this category, its just that the "near ivy" schools of Wash U, JHU, Emory, and even Cornell are known for being tough on pre-meds.</p>
<p>Shouldn't tough undergrad make you a better med school student? Yeah I know, "you still have to get in, yadda yadda yadda" But what about after that? I'm pretty sure you'd learn more (whether you want to or not) and be more motivated at JHU in order to beat your classmates.</p>
<p>Trust me, every med school person is going to do well. Its all about getting in. I have a ton of friends in med school, those who are trying to be at the top work their butts off, those who arent as concerned are having a great time.</p>
<p>the best thing the OP and others interested in med school can do is read thru one of the books on med school admissions. That way you'll understand from the start what you need to do in college to be a competitive candidate.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I will surely look into some books regarding this matter and also take into consideration what has been suggested and weigh the pros and cons. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Going to a tough undergrad institution does not make you a better med student....a lot of med school is just slugging it out and hanging in there....the qualities that make a good physician include brains and fund of knowledge but smarts are overrated. The good ones can think but really a lot of it is just being able to listen.</p>
<p>no I didn't say going to a good undergrad would make you smarter, I just thought it would make you work harder and be able to organze time better</p>
<p>Amused....in that respect you may be right.</p>
<p>sarorah....accurately yes but speed is not required unless you are a surgeon or often in critical situations ...most docs do best when they go slow.</p>