<p>Hi, i was wondering which of these colleges has a better medical school i want to become an anesteologist or a orthopedic surgeon. I was also wondering if before you got to medical school if you have to take pre-med first... its all kind of confusing i'm just wondering and how are the towns Columbia MO vs Kansas City MO.. THANKS!</p>
<p>KC vs. Columbia Cities: Columbia is much smaller. It still has a mall, lots of shopping, lots of restaurants, movie theaters, etc. It is also known for different citywide activities and things planned ‘in the park’. It is very easy to get around in and has a huge fan base , especially for football. </p>
<p>KC has everything, but is spread out. Honestly, the UMKC campus is located next to a very shady area of KC on one side with the nicer downtown Plaza district on the other.</p>
<p>College vs college: We toured the UMKC 6-year med program. It is one of only a few in the US. If accepted, you go year round and see patients as a freshman. When you begin freshman year, you not only begin your undergrad but also the med program. You’ll have a few classes everyday but also things to do at the hospitals. At the corner of campus is Trinity Luthern (a lot of gang stuff), Children’s Mercy , and St. Luke’s. All very nice, upper level hospitals. The KC University will have fewer students enrolled and is not NCAA, if that matters to you.</p>
<p>The Columbia campus is completely different. It’s buildings are all newer or renovated, more upscale. The dorms are nicer, better dining facilities, and good location. It always felt a ‘step up’ to us. Mizzou also has a phenominal Freshman Orientation program. There are a lot of students, and it is a NCAA school.</p>
<p>To get into Med school, you do not have to be pre-med. You pick a major that interests you. A lot of kids take sciences, but not necessary. They say that they look for variety - even journalism majors, etc. (I personally, would think it would be easier if you had a science background). If you take Biochemistry, for example, you can declare a premed track, which just means they’ll gear your schedule/curriculum more toward people & medicine than research. Pre Med actually isn’t a major by itself.</p>
<p>The med school at Mizzou is highly thought of. Your junior year of college, you’ll take the MCAT (Medical ACT) and that score helps admit you into med school.</p>
<p>If you are interested in medicine, there are several things you can do now. Take Anatomy & physiology in high school. Also, are you a Missouri resident? MO has AHEC programs that are outreach type programs for high school kids who are interested in medicine. They hold regular workshops on topics such as cardiology, emergency medicine, dentistry, surgery, etc. They also have ‘connections’ to help you with med school admittance as well as qualifying for the programs where if you work in a rural area for a specific amount of time, then your student loans payments are waived. Volunteer time at your local hospitals, etc is also important.</p>
<p>If you are interested in UMKC’s 6 year program, then you have to prepare early. Their application deadline is October of your senior year. When we were there, there were kids from all over the country that flew in for interviews.</p>