Keep in mind. Michigan is tough even for the brightest students. If you got accepted then they at least think you can handle it. They have amazing resources. Use them. Everyone at Michigan wants to see you succeed. Will you have to work harder? Of course but most likely you would at UIC also due to the type of classes you will be taking. There is much collaboration at Michigan also. Usually when you surround yourself with these bright kids… You rise to the occasion.
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That is misleading. Michigan does not think that all of their students can get A’s (or even pass) all of their classes. And certainly the school isn’t accepting students with the idea that they think their students can ace premed prereqs.
“That is misleading. Michigan does not think that all of their students can get A’s (or even pass) all of their classes. And certainly the school isn’t accepting students with the idea that they think their students can ace premed prereqs.”
But I bet Alabama does since it’s so much easier to get through school there, right?
@mom2collegekids please let me know where I said anyone would ace anything or get "A’s? Please reread what I wrote.
I am also a physician /surgeon for 30 years and live-in Chicago. UIC is not a cakewalk. It is respected. If he did well there, there is no reason to believe he won’t do well elsewhere like Michigan. My son’s in engineering at Michigan and I know the rigor there just for the first year students. . His GPA suffered a bit his first year taking 18 credits each semester. It’s not so critical for engineering. Michigan has amazing resources and Alumni. This alone would be worth it. If he wants to do well they will help any self motivated student.
Again no where I said anyone was going to ace anything so not sure where that came from. Michigan is not taking students they think will not succeed. They had 10,0000 on the wait list and they are extremely picky on transfers and even what classes will transfer. Extremely picky on this. If he made it through that he must be a good student and I congratulate him on just being accepted. They rest is up to him.
I got A’s in my bio and chem classes, the latter which was pretty rigorous for a CC. @Knowsstuff thank you for the encouragement, I’ll keep it in mind!
@Knowsstuff I was clarifying. This student is premed and needs A’s. A statement that if Umich accepts a student, then it means that UMich believes the student can handle it is ambiguous. Umich accepting a student doesn’t mean that UMich believes that the student can handle a premed path at all. If anything, all it means is that Umich believes that the student can manage to graduate in at least one of their majors, even if it’s the easiest or least-academically strong major.
Absolutely not. And who ever said that it would be “so much easier” to get thru premed at Alabama?
^^^^You never said that, of course. My point was that you called attending UIC over Michigan a, “no brainer” solely because it was academically easier and a higher gpa was assured. Wouldn’t most schools, Alabama included, fit this description? Should all premed students go to the “easier” school all the time? According to you, they should…
I’m originally from the Chicago area. UIC is not the directional-like school some are suggesting. The OP is considering being an English major (since pre-med students do have to major in something), and UIC’s English department is very strong. UIC is sort of like UW-Milwaukee, another urban campus that is stronger than most people believe because UW-Madison gets all the love.
That said, OP, not to be negative, but the ground is littered with the bones of once hopeful pre-med students. I’m rooting for you, and perhaps you have what it takes, but two of my friends (we’re talking 25 years ago) started out pre-med and then switched. A HS friend switched to law and is now a lawyer. My college roommate switched to dental and became–wait for it!–a dentist. Thus, one of the appeals of Michigan is that if the pre-med thing doesn’t happen, you still have a pretty powerful degree. Plus, it’s your dream school and there’s no financial difference between the two options.
@Hapworth I totally understand where you’re coming from - even I’m not sure that I’ll make it as a premed in the end. And I was actually thinking of majoring in political science, but in this economy, I think a political science degree from even an elite university like Michigan can be useless. I think I’ll be better off getting a bio or nutrition degree from UIC
How about a bio degree from Michigan instead?
Agree with @Hapworth that the road to med school is littered with premed hopefuls, especially bio majors. But since you’re seemingly undecided, why not wait say until end of first year of college to make a decision as to major. If you still are set on premed, you may not be a position to apply to med school until you graduate, meaning a gap year (or 2), but you might be in a better position to make a more informed decision about the pathway you want to go down.
@rjkofnovi I can’t do a bio degree 
They’re not taking my stats and calc credits unfortunately
@Jugulator20 yeah I think you might be right! I’m hoping that my political science degree doesn’t land me in hot water if med doesn’t work out.
@Buttercup295 since it doesn’t seem you need a lot of math for biology degree wouldn’t it be worth it in the end to retake 2 math classes? Just a suggestion.
My daughter is transferring as a junior to another school. They will only take so many credits to transfer. She has to take a few 100 level classes to get to her ultimate goal. FYI.