Which School Is Better

<p>Hello, I am currently a Junior in high school and will soon be sending applications to colleges during the summer. I love computers but also have aspirations to become a surgeon. I am in the top 2% of my class (#8) and can get an auto admit into the University of Texas Austin or Texas A&M (I live in Texas and its auto admit if you are top 8%). I know I could do at both universities but would obviously do better (GPA wise) at A&M because it is an easier school in Computer Engineering. Also, A&M has a med school in College Station whereas UT Austin won't have one for another 10ish years.</p>

<p>Would it be better for me to go to A&M and get a 3.6 - 4.0 or go to UT and get a 3.2-3.5 and then apply to med school. I know that GPA plays a big factor with getting into med school. Also, because A&M has a med school within A&M in college station, would I be more likely to get admitted there going to A&M instead of going to UT?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>Med schools look at GPA; for the most part, they don’t consider where your GPA is from. A 3.2 from UT (or any other school) won’t cut it for med school.</p>

<p>"Would it be better for me to go to A&M and get a 3.6 - 4.0 or go to UT and get a 3.2-3.5 and then apply to med school. "
Go to either and get 4.0 or very close to it.</p>

<p>BTW, your premise

</p>

<p>is likely a false assumption. At most schools the most able students tend to clump in few competitive majors (STEM fields). The competition at A&M’s computer engineering program may be tougher than you anticipate. You cannot assume that it will be easier to attain a higher GPA at A&M than at UT.</p>

<p>That said, go the school you feel will be the best fit for your interests (and not just academic interests) and where you will be most likely to be happy (happier student=better grades).</p>

<p>Attending a school’s undergrad offers little advantage when it comes to medical school admissions. About the only advantage it confers is that the med school’s adcom has a better feel for the LORs from faculty members. (They likely know the profs personally and have seen numerous LORs from them before, thus are more likely to accept their judgments. It’s a very human reaction.)</p>

<p>Either is fine. Dont assume you will do better at A&M. IMO, A&M has better premed advising. Their applicants are on top of the ball during the application season</p>