I’m a first-year at Mount Holyoke. I was very eager to come here, classes have been going well, I’ve been fortunate enough to maintain good grades for these first two semesters. But when people initially said the school is isolated… I really didn’t realize how isolated South Hadley really would be. I’ve tried a lot of things, 5-College events, etc. but I’m not happy here, at all, socially and otherwise. I feel an intense claustrophobia, and from my experience, being a nonconformist is the right/only way to act here/conform; otherwise, you’re an outcast. Oh, the irony.
I spoke to my dean about my concerns, and she said she thought I’d be better suited at a school which suits my interests, and expectations. I’m planning to major in mathematics and biology and according to my dean, have taken significantly advanced coursework at the college level in both. I’m still uncertain about career options, but I am strongly considering medical school. I have a relatively low HS GPA, and my standardized test scores are alright (above average, but not excellent). My advisor suggested I apply to schools like MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Cornell. The thing is I’m intimidated to even think about that; if, on the off <0.001% chance that I get in, what if I miserably tank my GPA in the mathematics and biology majors? Then having a low GPA from a “name-brand” university will be worse than having an above average GPA at a LAC. Alternatively, is it better to major in something less rigorous at a “name-brand” university than majoring in more rigorous subjects at LACs (keeping in mind that the result is the same GPA)?
In terms of increasing optionality for graduate schools (top tier medical schools), what is the best option ^?
I don’t mean to offend anyone with the use of “name-brand” or “LAC” and I am not classifying schools, but rather basing this off of what my dean and advisors have told me. Thanks!
bump Any suggestions, please?
Don’t even think of about the concern of whether you will do better or worse at these “name-brand” schools.
If you are academically motivated (and it seems like you are) and are doing well now, I’m almost positive that you won’t have a low GPA at these schools. Maybe a lower one, sure, but that’s honestly fine. It’s expected of schools with extreme academic rigor.
Furthermore, I 1000000% would have a lower GPA at Stanford (or the other schools you’ve mentioned) over having a perfect GPA at a LAC any day. You underestimate how powerful it is to simply be able to attend these schools. The incredible professors you have the opportunity to form relationships with, the brilliant peers around you, the connections you’ll make, the amazing academics, the degree from that name-brand school…it’s just endless.
If you have the means to do so, definitely shoot for these schools.
Thanks so much for the reply, @chanceme2014. I am primarily concerned about maintaining my GPA, as that is ultimately a major component of one’s graduate school application (regardless of what graduate school they will go to). I always hear the argument, that one can go to a better ranked graduate school and work persistently at their current undergraduate institution, and I feel this may be true, which is why I am at a crossroads and hesitant. Financially, and otherwise, it may impose restraints on me, but I am willing to take on loans, and the stress, if it means I will be fortunate enough to attend a school where I can be intensely academically stimulated.
Any other input would be much appreciated.
Let me guess: chanceme2014 is a HS student… :s giving very bad advice.
Med schools and Law schools WILL NOT differentiate between Stanford and MHC for GPA or rigor.
@bravenewworld18: you’ll only be allowed to take on $6,500 in loans and transfers get lousy aid. Do apply but keep everything in mind: it’s harder to transfer than to get in as a freshman, and you may not get sufficient FA even if you do get in.
@MYOS1634 That isn’t to say that the curriculum for MHC will be considered comparable to Stanford, no doubt? My advisor told me that med schools will consider rigor as a factor, notwithstanding GPA.
Essentially, med schools will consider an A is an A. Period. Regardless of where from. And certainly they won’t distinguish between MHC and Stanford in any meaningful way - the premed classes are basic and at all but the lowest ranked colleges, rigor is similar, content is similar, so that what matters is the grade received. They’ll look at your premed core, your science GPA, your jr-sr GPA, your cumulative GPA. If you have A’s and A-s, including in O-Chem, it won’t matter where from.
The difference is between a 3.5 at a school ranked in the 100s and a 3.5at Stanford - all other things being equal, the Stanford kid has a shot, the random school applicant goes into the reject pile; but the MHC student with a 3.6 has as good a shot as the Stanford student, and certainly isn’t a direct reject with a 3.5 too.
An actual difference is that at Western Central State, the course rigor will likely affect your MCAT score directly (content) and indirectly (work habit intensity/prep for theMCAT). However MHC would have course rigor that suffices for good MCAT scores.
It is quite possible that OP has exceptional mathematical abilities, in which case she should apply to all the possible schools with strong math, from HarveyMudd to MIT to Northwestern to UWaterloo, and see. In the meanwhile, the opportunities afforded by the 5 -college consortium should be explored, as it’s the best venue for her as of right now, until the plan B works (and it may not, because it’s exceedingly difficult to transfer into those schools, and even if she gets in, the financial aid may not make it possible.)
Thank you for your advice @MYOS1634. I will certainly try to make the best use of the 5-College courses offered, as I can and will give plan B a shot.