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<p>Didn’t they teach you the difference between correlation and causation?</p>
<p>lol yes they did. now please pertain that to my post. </p>
<p>as I understand you’re trying to say there is not a correlation, but a causation, to the undergrad institution attended and matriculated medical school? at what point would you start considering there to be a correlation and not causality taking place? how much information would be required?</p>
<p>if I am nowhere near your point please elaborate onwards. I am looking forward to what you have to say about this.</p>
<p>The point I was making was that the people who go to better undergrad institutions are likely smarter and harder-working. So you’d expect more of them to go to top medical schools.</p>
<p>Let’s say you’re right that there are more Harvard grads than UNC grads at top medical schools. The question is: why? Is it that Harvard grads are a smarter bunch (correlation), or that actually going to Harvard helps you in some way (causation)?</p>
<p>Let’s say there are two individuals: one with a 3.7 gpa/35 MCAT/similar ECs from UNC(this is almost a bad example because UNC still has a very good reputation, this is better applied at a university like UNCC) and a mirror image from Harvard. They are both applying to Ivy Leagues/Stanford/Duke. Who do you think they are going to choose to attend their program?</p>
<p>Now the individual from Harvard had the benefit of grade inflation while the lad from UNC (or UNCC) got smacked by the typical public school curves. They both had the same MCAT score so the standardization technique is thrown out the window, and they also both had very similar ECs. The Harvard graduate will without reasonable doubt get the spot. That’s not to say the other individual won’t get offered a spot at the same school but if it was one versus the other, the Harvard grad will win.</p>
<p>Top schools offer more opportunities and medical schools know this. When you do research at one of these top universities you’re most likely doing it with someone who is established in the science community and is cranking out quality, not just quantity, papers.</p>
<p>So to answer your question, I believe there is a correlation and causation taking place. It’s not necessarily that Ivy League grads are smarter, they are presented more quality experiences, have better connections, and have more opportunities. Medical schools know this. The Ivy League/top school name applies this.</p>
<p>FYI, so you know I’m not some stuck up Ivy League elitist. I will be attending Chapel Hill this fall and am transferring from East Carolina. I have talked to Harvard, UNC, and ECU grads. The Harvard grad really struggled at Harvard and still walked away with a 3.5. He went on to complete graduate/post doc work at other top institutions. The UNC grad had a 3.4 gpa (didn’t tell me his MCAT, but I’m sure it was >30) and still basically walked into Brody. The ECU grad had a 3.8, a masters degree in chemistry, and a 35 MCAT and was denied interviews by Duke, Ivy Leagues, etc. He did get into UNC Med.</p>
<p>Edit: long post, I am sorry</p>