How do med schools view premeds taken at colleges other than one's undergrad institution?

[WayOutWestMom]

I stand by my previous post.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/2065268-meeting-pre-med-requirements-at-summer-program-other-than-home-institution.html

I think a pre-med at top brand name school who has room in their schedule (and if they double major in 2 non-sciences–then they had room in their schedule since a double major is considered non-essential by med schools), but chooses not to take their pre-reqs there is going to get majorly dinged during the application review process.

In fact, many medical schools specifically advise students NOT to take their pre-reqs away from one’s home university.

Also applying from a undergrad that adcomms know offers a committee letter without a committee letter is going to generate serious red flag on the application and require an explanation. (A number of secondaries specifically ask why a committee letter isn’t included in the application packet.)

@Mwfan1921

Alas! AMCAS doesn’t capture any data about the type of LORs an applicant has, nor does the MSQ ask about LORs. (It does ask about formal and informal advising, but not specifically about LORs.)

I don’t think they’d hold it against the art history applicant who decided later on that they wanted med school, that they then took their premeds at cheap local state U.

This is an entirely different situation. The presumption is that the student (not the parents) is paying for the post bacc, and the student is likely working full or part time just to be able to afford their classes. Thus price is important. Plus the student has already “proved” their ability to earn high grades in the previously earned BA/BS at the brand name school.