<p>Which would be better applying to med school from:</p>
<p>1) A small, "no-so-great" university's honors college (don't even have pre-med)</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>2) A school such as the University of Texas @ Austin </p>
<p>???</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don't understand how a school 'don't even have pre-med.' That university doesn't offer chemistry, physics, biology, organic chemistry? What kind of school doesn't offer any science courses? </p>
<p>But, back to your question. I believe you should goto the school where you can receive the best grades possible for med school, because GPA and MCAT are the most important factors. Yes, going to a more prestegious college like UTA might help your chances, but is it really worth going to a good school, where your performance will be mediocre??</p>
<p>
[quote]
GPA and MCAT are the most important factors.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is one of those untruths that has a lot of truth to it. The truth is that the average GPAs for admitted premeds varies considerably from school to school, and it does not align either with prestige or grade deflation.</p>
<p>See thread: "Good premed schools". It's a sticky.</p>
<p>In the past, and probably present, schools would give more points to tougher schools- you're more likely to be better prepared with better classes-eg calculus at MIT is not the same course as a HS AP one. Premed is an intention, not a major, you can major in anything, anywhere, just so you take the courses required for admisssion. Going to the school with the best academics you can will give you the best foundation and will prepare you most for the fast pace of medical school.</p>
<p>It is not presently true that schools give more "points" to tougher schools. At least, not in the example of MIT.</p>
<p>Their premedical statistics include the idea that the average MIT premed who gets into medical school carries a GPA of above 3.7. Compare to Duke and Stanford, for whom the same number is nearly 3.5.</p>