<p>Hi, I finally narrowed down my college choices to the University of Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh. I want to go into pre-med and I'm dead-set on getting into medical school. I really love UChicago, its campus and its emphasis on academics (its prestige can't hurt either), but I heard that its pre-med program is very tough and it's very hard to get a high gpa. I know that medical schools really care about your gpa, so that's definitely a disadvantage for UChicago. On the other hand, I also got into the University of Pittsburgh, and, although it isn't as prestigious as UChicago, I've heard great things about its pre-med program. Neither of the schools has a pre-med major, so I'm planning on majoring in the biological sciences. I'm really in a tough situation, and I really don't know what school to choose. Can anyone give me some advice?</p>
<p>If Pitt gave you any money, it’s a no-brainer. Top 15 med school, a gazillion research opportunities…</p>
<p>^
U Chicago has a top ten med school. It would have have the same, if not better, research opportunities that Pitt has. Also, the OP is attending the respective undergraduate schools… in which University of Chicago ranks much higher. </p>
<p>How much money is U Chicago giving you?</p>
<p>Pitt gave me a full tuition scholarship, but UChicago also essentially gave me one. It would cost about $5000 more to go to UChicago. The only thing that’s holding me back from UChicago is that fact that I’ve heard some negative things about it’s pre-med program.</p>
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<p>Perhaps true, but OP would be the big fish in a less competitive pond. And coming in as a full-ride Scholar, OP has first dibs on everything Pitt offers.</p>
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<p>Not relevant for med school, which is gpa+mcat.</p>
<p>If you are paying only 5k more for Chicago, Chicago is a much better undergrad school. There is no guarantee that you will get into either of their medical schools which means you have to look at your opportunities coming out of the undergrad. </p>
<p>Pittsburgh being a state school, you do have to be a resident to maximize your opportunity of getting into Pitt medical school. Chicago does offer an inside track after third year to get into their medical school but I would assume the competition is brutal to get that option.</p>
<p>As a full scholarship holder, you will have better opportunities for research etc at Pitt and probably also have a better GPA. Pitt does push research opportunities with the medical school for the honors students very strongly. I noticed that top schools tend to get you a better MCAT score in the tradeoff than a state school (or do they prepare harder because their GPAs put them at a disadvantage?).</p>
<p>So do you feel like being a big fish at an average school or an average fish at a tough school?</p>
<p>Your four years of undergrad aren’t determined by the pre-med courses which in the scheme of things are not that many. 2 semesters bio, 2 gen chem, 2 orgo, 2 physics, and 1 math/1english, and maybe biochem (only upper division course). The rest of the four years are yours.</p>
<p>You will never have these 4 years again, to study whatever your heart and mind desire. To encourage new passions, develop new interests and really grow as a person. Yes you are there for academics and should commit the appropriate time and energy to doing well in your coursework.</p>
<p>Find something(s) that really interest you,follow the pre-med curriculum, shadow, volunteer, and challenge yourself.</p>
<p>In doing these things, where do you see yourself trying and succeeding? Which school do you feel/think you would enjoy and do well?</p>
<p>Look at the course catalogs, look at the various majors, minors and electives. This is when you are supposed to dream and then follow through. Trying to figure out where you will have the best chance of getting into med school isn’t a recipe for success.</p>
<p>Choosing a school with the belief you will be the best student you can be, evolve into a person a medical school would like to see as a physician.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Kat</p>