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Is it unnecessary to go to an expensive and prestigious undergraduate college when planning on attending medical school?

If you need a high GPA to get into medical school, would it be better to choose a state school with the potential to get a higher GPA? #medicine #pediatrics #medical-school #undergraduate #gpa

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Richard’s Answer

In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.

Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
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James’s Answer

hi amy,


my advice is to go to the college where you will enjoy yourself and excel. when you put yourself in a nurturing environment then everything else will fall into place.


although i went to a large university, a large proportion of my medical school classmates graduated from smaller colleges and they were just as prepared as me.


the med school admissions people look at numerous criteria in deciding on applicants. so, yes, you must complete all of the prerequisite courses and should have excellent grades and MCAT scores.


but after that you will need something that sets you apart from everyone else who has done the same. for some it may be a Master's degree. for others it could be a part-time job as an EMT. maybe medical mission trips. maybe research papers.


it's also not always something medical. for instance, i had a classmate who played professional rugby, another who had competed in the Olympics, one was a concert pianist. a few had MBAs, law degrees, etc.


hope that gives you a little wider perspective rather than just focusing on GPA.


good luck!
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Rachel’s Answer

I think that your reasoning is very good. State schools are definitely more affordable, and they may be somewhat less competitive. If your goal is to make A's (which it should be) and to save money, going to a state school could be a very good idea.
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Dumi’s Answer

When considering todays economy. I would recommend going to a cost friendly school. You can either start at a community college then transfer to a four year institution later or enroll directly into an affordable 4 year college. Prestigious institution don't provide much of a difference in course material or required testing. If you choose a "Prestigious School" (pricey) make sure its for the right reasons like legacy or a special program you are really interested in and make sure its a financial burden you can live with.

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Estelle’s Answer

I agree with the advice you have been given. Your GPA, MCAT scores, shadowing experiences, letters of recommendation and personal statements are more important that the prestige of your college.
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Candace’s Answer

I think wherever you go, whether it's a state school or an expensive school, choose a college with a strong science/ premed program. And if they have had students get into medical school, that's a plus. At the end of the day, what matters most aregood grades (particularly in science) and good scores on the MCAT. It won't matter what school you go to if you don't have either of those. Good luck!!
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Madison’s Answer

Usually on medical school admissions, there is consideration of where your degree came from. If one applicant got a 4.0 at Yale for instance and another a 4.0 from a state college, the applicant who very likely had more rigorous course work is probably looked at higher. However, that is very much not to say you can not be sucessful going to a smaller or state school and apply to medical school. You would just also want to aknowledge the other great parts of your application and make those shine too! (I.e. community service, research, shadowing, work, volunteering, clubs, leadership ect, MCAT score ect.)
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