I am a low income Texas resident with good test scores. I have been admitted to a few private schools that I really like including Brandeis, Holy Cross, and Sewanee. I applied to Texas State as my safety because I figured it was the state school where I was most likely to be able to not take out loans. I have a 0 EFC and received some great need based aid including an offer from Brandeis where I could take out less than the max in federal loans. With a combination of 8K merit scholorships/year, pell grant, and Texas grant I feel I could go to texas state without loans if I do work study. I also feel like I would be a strong candidate for JAMP. I have contacted the JAMP program and it sounds like it isn’t too hard to get in as long as all requirements are met. I have taken a lot of AP science classes to prepare for pre reqs and my SAT cr and Math is over 200 points above the average for JAMP students according to the representative. Does anyone have any advice? I feel like Brandeis may be a better experience and prepare me better for med school. At the same time I really want to become a doctor and JAMP sounds like an incredible program. Would Texas State be an adequate place for pre med if I’m taking honors classes and is it possible to land undegrad research there? I know the classes will be the same but I feel they will be easier to get high grades at Texas State. I want to be challenged but I’m just worried about being weeded out among tough competition on a grading curve at my OOS options. I regret not applying to better Texas schools like UT Dallas where I may have gotten good merit as well. I know this post is a mess but basically would pursuing JAMP at Texas state be a better option than a strong private school outside of Texas?
Aren’t supposed to be already admitted to JAMP if you are admitted to colleges?
No you apply to JAMP late frehman/early Sophomore year of college. You are supposed to meet with the JAMP coordinator at the school and take a full course load freshman year. The JAMP representative told me the average GPA is a 3.8 and the average 2 part SAT is only an 1180. That seemed hard to believe but it’s encouraging.
Not an expert on JAMP but I do know a JAMP alum and it’s a great program. Having guaranteed med school admission, especially in Texas (due to the low cost of a medical education) removes a huge burden…getting into med school is hard work and takes up a lot of time as an undergrad. You’d have more time to focus on your education if you weren’t stressed with the med school process. I’d say— go for it!