<p>I know its another one of "these" threads, but I'm really at a loss for which to choose.</p>
<p>Just some background info: I live in Virginia and would pay in state tuition at UVA. Although money is not the largest factor for my family, I still think money is always a big deal for a college decision. My family did not qualify for any FA, and so I would pay full tuition at Dartmouth which means Dartmouth would be double the price of UVA for me.</p>
<p>I'm planning on studying Classics while doing premed. I've heard good and bad things about both premed programs and would like to hear what your thoughts on this is. Which (if either) could get me into a better medical school either by better reputation, preparation, or higher GPA?</p>
<p>Overall, I love both schools, although they are very different. I love D's size, focus on undergrad, pride, love of school, prestige and academic quality; but I don't like its price.</p>
<p>I love UVA's price, campus, academic strength, pride, weather and accessability to my home; but I know it doesn't have the rank, reputation, or peer quality of Dartmouth.</p>
<p>WHAT DO I DO!?!?!</p>
<p>(Just as a side note I also got into Vanderbilt, Cornell, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Boston College if anyone would like to advocate for any of those schools)</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve read this over and over on CC, but if you’re certain you want to attend med school, you want to incur the least amount of debt possible as an undergrad. Med school is horribly expensive, and you don’t want to start your career strapped owing beaucoups on money. Also, as I’m sure you’ve read, to successfully gain entrance to med school, the two main components are your MCAT and GPA. This being said, your choices are incredible, and you must be agonizing over the decision. Our D chose UVA for premed over others and thus far (2nd year) has not regretted her decision. She is in an Echols scholar and was recently accepted into one of the school’s distinguished major programs for science/premed. She will have significant research, an internship, at least one publication, and many, many other things on her application; hence, it seems to have been the right choice for her. Good luck wherever you decide to attend!</p>
<p>I don’t think you can argue that UVA “doesn’t have the rank, reputation, or peer quality of Dartmouth.” UVA is considered a public ivy for a reason; you’ll get just as good an education as you would at Dartmouth but without the $50,000+ annual price tag. Good luck with your decision-- I really wouldn’t base it solely on perceived reputation, as the difference between the two schools’ reputations is minimal.
Also, are you in Echols? If so, I would seriously think before passing up a spot in an Honors college at a top public university.</p>
<p>I know the situation that you are in, except finances were a bit more of an issue for me. I got admitted to some top tier private schools, but ended up choosing UVA over all of them (I am in-state). From the moment I got on-Grounds, I have never once doubted my decision…I absolutely love it here. For in-state students, UVA is very hard to turn down, especially if you were offered to join the Echols program.</p>
<p>If you do have your heart set on medical school, it is in your best interest to accumulate the least amount of debt as possible undergrad, because medical school is VERY expensive. </p>
<p>Best of luck with your decision. They are both outstanding schools.</p>
<p>Dartmouth has the best premedical advising and placement of the schools you mentioned. UVa’s premedical advising is in a state of transition over the past few years and has not been as successful in placement in top medical schools as it had been in the past (and relative to most of the others, other than Wake Forest and Boston College)</p>
<p>Can you elaborate? Where are you getting your information? I have not seen a recent publication of the med schools UVA grads were accepted to. I know there was one put out several years ago; however, it’s significantly outdated. I’d be interested to learn what measure you’re using for comparing these schools.</p>
<p>Is premed advising really important? I am ignorant about the process but I was under the impression that it’s pretty straight forward in terms of what classes you need to take.</p>
<p>Premedical advising is/can be critically important. At most colleges, The Health Professions Committee/Premed Committee (which is usually headed by premed advisor/director) provides a comprehensive recommendation letter (sometimes up to 3-4+ pages, single spaced, depending on the college) for the applicant to medical school. These letters can be instrumental in positioning the applicants for admission. These letters often encompass the faculty recommendations but go beyond those and provide overall endorsement (or lack of endorsement) of the candidate. Some schools do not have them and, as a result, do not package their students well. Other schools have excellent advisors/committees who work hard for their students’ success in the very difficult world of medical school admissions.</p>
<p>In all honesty, do well in school for 4 years and your MCATS, have a compelling reason for becoming a physician, and you will achieve your goal. There is no difference whatsoever in coming from UVA or Dartmouth if you meet these criteria, nor much more a premed advisor can do to help, other than agree. If you have issues with grades or MCATs, a premed advisor might help to provide supporting evidence that you are a good candidate, but the extent to which this influences admissions is often overstated.</p>
<p>I would think New Hampshire would become a depressing place as far as the weather by the time February rolls around. While people in Cville are starting to enjoy spring, you would still be bundled up.</p>