<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I wanted to ask you on your input with a problem I'm facing and hopefully it will help others in the same situation in me as well. As of now, I've decided to become a pre med student and I'm seeking to get admitted into medical school. I got accepted into various schools, but i've narrowed it down into two: UCLA and USD with both majoring in biology. Both are different in that UCLA is larger, public, more competitive while USD is smaller and private. I will honestly say I prefer UCLA but I've heard that medical schools dont care as much about the school you're coming from compared to your gpa (and extracurriculars). Since I am not the brightest kid like many who attend UCLA, is USD an optimal choice since I have a better chance of getting accepted into a med school there with a high gpa rather than fighting the competition at UCLA and struggling for an equivalent gpa? People have argued that USD also has smaller classes which means more time with your professors, which could could provide more research opportunities than at UCLA where many students struggle to get research done. Although UCLA is my favorable school, I have to be logical and pursue the best path to get me into med school. So, If you guys could name some strong benefits UCLA has other than its name over USD or just have any input, that would extremely appreciated!! thank you ! :)</p>
<p>As far as getting a high GPA goes, the competitiveness of the students in one factor. But there is also relative level of [grade</a> inflation](<a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com%5Dgrade”>http://www.gradeinflation.com) to consider.</p>
<p>Also, medical schools do not require you to be a biology major. You can take the pre-med courses alongside any major. Note that biology has poor job and career prospects if you do not get into medical school (more pre-meds do not get into medical school, so be sure to have a “plan B”).</p>
<p>Some of your questions are already answered in the Med School Forum. Take a look through the threads there for more ideas: [Pre-Med</a> & Medical School - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-medical-school/]Pre-Med”>Pre-Med & Medical School - College Confidential Forums)</p>
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Just to play the devil’s advocate here, but you’ll eventually have to take the same MCAT that everyone else does. If you don’t do well on that, it won’t matter what your GPA is. And if you’re smart enough to do well on the MCAT, you’re smart enough to learn the material and get good grades at any school.</p>
<p>Don’t sell yourself short. Surround yourself with the brightest peers you can find and have confidence that your strong performance will get you into a medical school. It is foolish to waste your only four college years being so focused on GPA that you think being a bigger fish in a small pond is the secret to medical school admissions.</p>
<p>@sid… I also narrowed down UCLA and other 2 UCs and 1 private college. I don’t feel I am a smart kid; I know I just have worked hard to get into these colleges. But, I think since we area addmitted to UCLA, there must be something good about us. Maybe THE college is looking for our diligence and commitment? I worked hard to earn my scores, maybe they know that?</p>