Hey everyone, I got accepted into Baylor University and University of Oklahoma. Im waiting on case western and tulane. I’m a national merit semifinalist, and Baylor and OU have good scholarships for national merit finalists. I’m also considering applying ED2 to Emory or Vanderbilt. (rejected from northwestern ED :,( hehexd) Where should I enroll, which would get me into medical school? I kind of dislike Waco because i’ve heard some parts are dangerous, is that true? I’m leaning towards Baylor because of texas medical schools required to accept in state students. Also, is it hard to establish in state residency for texas medical schools? Thank you
Yes, it’s a challenge to get instate residency for Texas. It’s not impossible, but there are several steps…including working there first (but not a part-time job while in school…that won’t count). So, it looks like after you graduate from college, you’d have to take time off from school (not go to med school), work full time for a year and then apply. And you can’t be on your parents tax return. And there’s some more steps.
Since you’re a NMSF (likely NMF), please apply to Alabama for their big NMF award. It’s not too late for THAT award. Bama allows NMFs to apply late and still get their big award.
I know nothing about Waco, but virtually any good-sized city will have some “bad areas”…certainly the cities where Tulane, Case Western and Vandy sit, do too.
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Where should I enroll, which would get me into medical school? <<<
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As the mother of a med student I can tell you that there is no answer for that. No school will “get you into med school.” Absolutely NO college can do that. No college can really even help you get into med school if YOU don’t have the grades and MCAT score that are med school worthy.
College classes don’t prepare you for the MCAT either. A small exception is that some schools may offer a semester class for premeds that reviews the med school app, personal statement, and may offer a practice MCAT exams…however, much is still up to the student!!!
It can help if the school writes Committee Letters and does Mock Interviews. Also, if the school offers a premed club or association.
My child’s undergrad (Alabama) writes Committee Letters, brings in real med school Adcoms to give Mock Interviews and feedback, and has a very successful premed association (AED) that meets weekly, has guest speakers, provides shadowing opps, etc.
BUT…So much of the premed AND med school app process is up to the student. Even those at “top name schools” will get rejected from med schools if they don’t have the grades and MCAT scores. Several of us on this forum know of a student who went to a Top 5 school, got a strong MCAT score, but ended up with a 3.5 GPA. That student was rejected from the over 30 med schools she applied to.
Go to a good school, study hard, get top grades, prepare for the MCAT, do medically related ECs/shadowing/volunteering, and some research, and your chances will be much better.
I was talking to a doctor who is on an admissions advisory board at a nearby Med School about a month ago and he emphasized the importance of this in an application. He said that they want to see demonstrated interest and experience in some aspect of medicine, even if only volunteering or shadowing. He also confirmed that were you did undergrad isn’t that important. Med schools want to see stats and chops.
this is all very helpful. I think I’m leaning towards Baylor because they have a premed emphasis and a private school feel. @mom2collegekids Yeah, I can’t go to Alabama because of a very important reason. But I don’t know if I should become a doctor. Another question: Is becoming a doctor is the best route these days? Is becoming an engineer or computer scientist better? idk m8 thanks for all the help
For you at this point, none of the above. About 1/2 of those starting an engineering program drop out due to the workload. If you’re just thinking of doing it because it pays well, you probably won’t have the dedication to see it thru. Nor, if you look at past history, is employment predictably stable. Talk to a petroleum engineer these days (7 years ago the highest starting salary out of college, hands down) or an aerospace engineer about the effect of defense cuts, a CS major who worked during the last dotcom bust, etc.
As for medicine, if you’re in it because of the money, another bad bet. I don’t have a crystal ball, but with growth of large healthcare providers and the possibility of national health care (less recently, but its the trend in the rest of the developed world), the odds are decent doctors are going to end up salaried employees. Do yourself and future patients a favor and only go into medicine if you have a desire to help people, not because you think it’s “the best route these days”
Since this is an advice forum, here’s my advice. Scratch engineering and CS. At most schools, especially public ones, you need to enter as a frosh and its probably too late for that. As for medicine, get some experience in a medical setting pronto, maybe even this summer. As @snarlatron pointed out, you aren’t going to get into med school without it and you might as well find out if you feel a calling to do it rather then see it as your “best route.” And when you show up at college, wherever it is, start visiting the Career Center right away and work with them to explore various career options and find one that you think is right for you (and not just the most lucrative).
Texas medical schools are not required to accepted in-state students. They are required to maintain about 90% of their incoming medical classes as Texas state residents. There’s a big difference.
In order to establish TX residency for medical school, you’d have to establish a domicile there. That’s not too difficult post-college - you’d just need to get a job in Texas and work there for at least a year before you apply to med school.
No one career is objectively better, as people are different. One person who would make a great physician might make a terrible engineer, and vice versa. And some people might do about equally well at either but just stumble into one or the other for random reasons.
I’m curious about how you could go to Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma or Tennessee but not Alabama.
@juillet lol course I know they aren’t required to accept instate students XD. It’s just that it would be advantageous to establish residency in Texas for medical school, because 90% and stuff. I can’t go to Alabama because confidential reasons. Also can you guys look at my latest post? ty. yeahhhhh buddy