<p>Should my choice of undergraduate school (i'm a senior choosing a college) play a factor if I know already I want to go to graduate school/medical school. I'm choosing between a full ride at a private university or a more respected/better academic public university.</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>I was in a similar position to you, except reversed. My decision was between a lower-ranked public university with a full ride, or an ivy league for $40,000 a year.</p>
<p>I’ll tell you this: I chose the public university, and have never regretted it. It didn’t make a lick of difference in my graduate school applications (I got accepted everywhere I applied, including 2 top-5 programs) and I’m $160,000 richer.</p>
<p>Just do well on your GRE/MCAT. If you want to do graduate school, make sure you get involved in research and do well in it. Get an independent research project.</p>
<p>Oh, get a good GPA, too. =)</p>
<p>But most of all, have fun. These are the best years of your life. Do well in school, but make time for yourself. You’re never going to get any younger.</p>