<p>I was wondering if it truly makes a diffference going to undergrad in a state like California compared to a state like Ohio when trying to get into med school. From what I have heard goign to undergrad in Ohio will be more beneficial since the med schools in that state are more likely to admit you than med schools in California would be likely to admit you if you went to undergrad in California. I am just desperately trying to figure out which undergrad school I should pick and I really don't want to make the wrong choice. I am trying to decide between UCLA, USC, and Case Western Reserve University. I know thise is an overused analogy, but would it truly be a benefit to be a "big fish in a small pond" at Case or a "small fish in a big pond" at UCLA or USC? </p>
<p>Being from California seems to have hurt me in admissions to undergrad institutions and I just want to make the right decision for eventually getting into med school. I think I have covered most of what I wanted to ask. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!</p>
<p>First I don't think you're using the fish and pond analogies correctly, as it's better used in terms of describing difficulty or rigor, not actual size (ie, I went to a state public with 20k students, but considered myself a big fish in a small pond because I was motivated and intelligent - with the test scores to prove it. I actually think that it was even more accurate in describing how easy it was for me to get involved on campus and find leadership positions because 75% of the students weren't fighting for any of the opportunities).</p>
<p>Second, in-state residency is by far the biggest advantage one can have in med school admissions, making up for a number of deficiencies...except that CA is so populous that it's still ultra competitive. Where you're slightly off on this is that simply going to Case is not going to get you that advantage unless you manage to apply for and get residency (have no idea what the requirements are in Ohio). And that advantage is only going to apply for the state schools. Any private medical schools in OH aren't likely to give you any significant boost in the admissions process.</p>
<p>1.) Not only will going to college in OH not give you OH residency, it also won't rescind your CA residency. So CA schools will still boost you while OH schools won't. Which state is better depends, obviously, on which medical schools you're trying to go to. CA is brutal on residents and (from a freshman's perspective) impossible otherwise. (We'll revisit this should you win a Rhodes or something.) OH is probably not as brutal on either front.</p>
<p>2.) I'll nitpick a little, BRM. :p I'm willing to bet that race is by far the biggest advantage, and that state residency lags a distant second!</p>
<p>anybody else have any thoughts also, please?</p>
<p>im not sure you get state residency if you go to college in another state (different rules for different states, so you better check up on that). but seriously, don't go to Case just because you want state residency in ohio. you'll be thousands of miles away from cali and, if you hate it, you're stuck. visit the schools and then make a choice.</p>
<p>btw, it is true that at UCLA you are just another number. however, UCLA offers some of the best (and most?) opportunities for a person interested in the medical field. You can do research in on-campus labs (TONS), you can do clinical research at UCLA medical center (TONS), you can get shadowing experiences, and you can volunteer (and not just at the UCLA medical center). Oh, and a bad thing about UCLA: the career counseling SUCKS!</p>
<p>bump..................</p>
<p>bump. does any one have any info on pre-med at case, i know thats not a major, but like a science-y major like bio, whats the average GPA? is there like severe grade deflation? hows the enviorment like honestly, i heard the social scene sucks?</p>
<p>and if you had a choice between full ride at case vs. UCLA/Davis/Berkeley/San Diego, where would you go and why?
thanks! im so full of question <em>:)</em></p>
<p>i would take the full ride (instead of taking out loans). if your parents are paying for college, then you should weigh your options. If you would absolutely hate going to case, then obviously don't be miserable for four years, go to a UC.</p>
<p>btw, there is severe grade deflation at all the UC's you mentioned so don't use that as a major factor in ur final decision.</p>