<p>Is it better to come from Vanderbilt University when applying to med school with slightly lower GPA or MSU with a slightly higher GPA?
I have heard numbers are everything but I have also heard that to get into top medical schools they definitely prefer top undergraduate schools</p>
<p>vandy for sure. why is this a question lol unless money is an issue, go with vanderbilt</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I’m not sure about that…</p>
<p>MCAT score and GPA are super important to med schools. And, I think they like to report that their students have the highest stats. </p>
<p>MSU is a respected school. I don’t know if Vandy would provide an edge if the GPA was lower. Besides, you could probably more easily have a 4.0 from MSU than you could have a 3.7 at Vandy. </p>
<p>*but I have also heard that to get into top medical schools they definitely prefer top undergraduate schools *</p>
<p>There was a time when that was true, so you may have heard that from people who don’t know that times have changed.</p>
<p>
What if you decide not to go pre-med? What if your GPA at MSU is the same or (yes!) lower than at Vandy? It is misguided to assume that less selective colleges necessarily result in higher GPAs.</p>
<p>Like ironicallyunsure, I would lean toward Vanderbilt…but this is a question best posed after (or if) you get into both.</p>
<p>You can’t beat the undergraduate Life Sciences studies (Biology, etc.) at Michigan State University. It deserves its high reputation.</p>
<p>If you are very sure about med school and Vandy would cost you a lot, go with MSU.</p>
<p>the money is not an issue. they will give me enough financial aid to make it the same</p>
<p>Then I would pick Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>I would pick Vandy as well…as long as you’re confident that your abilities will do well at the school. Are your stats in the upper 25% for the school?</p>
<p>Not quite, that is my problem. My ACT is but my GPA is lower. That makes me worried that I will not be able to perform well at Vanderbilt</p>
<p>Vandy’s had a “work hard, play hard” reputation for a long time. Often people focus on the last half of the phrase, but that’s a mistake. It’s a challenging academic environment, and its recent boost in selectivity has probably heightened that aspect of life there. My d (a 2009 grad) often said, “Everyone’s smart here.” She had many friends who were pre-med and, as anywhere, the curriculum is a tough slog. If you’re willing to really apply yourself, and if money is really no object, I’d recommend Vandy. But I do think you’re wise to ask yourself how well you’ll perform there. In addition to very talented classmates, there are many distractions ;). </p>
<p>You can certainly go on to a great med school from MSU (and the pre-med curriculum is still a tough slog, no matter where you go).</p>
<p>What is your unweighted GPA?</p>
<p>Vandy if you can afford it. Otherwise, Michigan State. Don’t take out any student loans if you plan on grad school.</p>