<p>I am a Junior and am now exploring my college options. My ultimit goal is to attend JH and become a neurosurgeon, but right now it is time to pick a pre-med. I live in Virginia and am looking at schools in Virginia such as UVA, William and Mary, Mary Washington, Concord, and a few others. If anyone can give me some help in deciding I would be most appreciative.
Thanks alot,
Tony</p>
<p>William and Mary, because it's a small school and provides a lot of personal attention.</p>
<p>thanks. Concord university says they have a 100 percent acceptance rate of pre-med students and the other schools have some good records can you or someone give me some more information on this topic</p>
<p>Be leary of small colleges that boast high acceptance rates. Many acheive this in a rather underhanded way.</p>
<p>Most small colleges have actual pre-med committees, that, when the time comes for you to apply, review your academic record and then decide whether they think you should apply or not. If you aren't VERY, VERY competitive (like almost a lock to get in somewhere), they will tell you not to apply. They further back this up by refusing to give you a committee letter, which usually is a gleaming report of your overall awesomeness at being a human being. If you don't get their approval, you don't get the letter. Some schools even go so far as to discourage faculty from writing letters for any student without committee approval, further sinking your odds. The end result is that anyone without approval and a lick of intelligence realize they shouldn't apply and those that receive the committee's blessing are in a very lucky position.</p>
<p>So what you may be thinking? If I get the approval, smooth sailing right? Well, yes, but as I said you have to be extremely competitive to get approval. The problem is that med school admissions is the biggest crap shoot I've ever seen. I've had various friends, all who will/would be amazing docs, get rejected for reasons ranging from "not having enough doctor experience (different than patient exp)" to not being in-state, to going out of state for undergrad. I know other kid who had a 30 MCAT, 3.8 GPA, research experience, plenty of volunteering, and good campus involvement get rejected from his in-state school. </p>
<p>So why should you have to basically apply twice to get into medical school, and why should an undergrad university prevent you from reaching your dreams simply because it will ruin their reputation? Just because they don't think you will make it doesn't mean that you won't. I say, let the actual schools you are applying to decide your fate, not some group of individuals with very different motives than your best interest.</p>
<p>Ya I see what your sayin, but knoing this which of these schools would you suggest or is ther another.</p>
<p>You should go where you feel most at home. I hit on this in another thread of yours.</p>