Pre-Med at UMich

Colleges & Universities University of Michigan
1

<p>I know there are probably threads out there that have the same q’s, but I think it’s time to make another one. :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>Basically, let’s compile a list of pros and cons of being a premed at UMich and perhaps get enough helpful information to get this ‘stickied’.</p>

<p>Pros:</p>

<p>Cons:</p>

2

<p>pros and cons of being premed at umich versus what? a different school? a different career focus?</p>

3

<p>I was looking to amass a list of the pros and cons of UMich without comparison to other schools. For example, one con could be the large class sizes (and perhaps less interaction with profs). A pro could be getting research opportunities, which if I’m not mistaken, are easy to get as an undergrad frosh or sophomore at UMich.</p>

<p>I don’t want to get into comparing other schools or another career focus, but I just would like to accumulate pros and cons in general for an aspiring doctor who would attend UMich.</p>

4

<p>I’m not too sure what you’re asking still but here’s my guess:</p>

<p>Pros:

  1. Reputable College with good recognition in premed field.
  2. Research opportunities abundant.
  3. Michigan Hospital is one of the best to volunteer/work at.
  4. Premed majors pretty competitive so you can push yourself.
    4a. Premed courses are rigorous so you learn/prepare better for the MCATs.
  5. Lots of premed/medical students that can help you throughout your premed career & premed friends.
  6. Lots of premed clubs
  7. Professors for premed classes typically enjoy holding office hours where they can talk to students.</p>

<p>Cons

  1. Large classes
  2. Rigor of courses may be discouraging for some.
  3. Really competitive. Mostly all students majoring in premed fields are competing for med school spots.</p>
5

<p>^yup, that’s what I mean, just a general pros and cons list. </p>

<p>And, hopefully, we can discuss different points on the list as well. </p>

<p>For example, when you say competitive, could you put that in relation to other schools? (compared to say MSU, then compared to a top 10 UG school…just so we can better quantify such aspects, but some things like ‘Michigan Hospital is one of the best to volunteer at’ don’t need to be put into relative terms).</p>

6

<p>Can anyone expand on the competition at UMich as a premed? I really don’t know how I would fare. I would like to get a beast GPA of like 3.85+ but how likely is this at UMich?</p>

<p>Basically, is the competition something to worry about and something to influence my decision? (If I somehow got into an Ivy should I go there or stay at my no.1 choice UMich? Ivys have the grade inflation but the student body is so competitive while UMich might have a less competitive student body but large classes, curved classes and the students are still bright)</p>

7

<p>how would premed there be like compared to emory or jhu?</p>

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<p>See, I honestly don’t think many pre-meds at UofM can make that comparison, simply because we’ve only experienced pre-med at UofM…</p>

<p>For transfers, maybe. Otherwise, it’s just speculation.</p>

9

<p>^Could you then just describe how premed is at UMich? (competition, etc.)</p>

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<p>bump
10 char</p>

11

<p>It’s a big school, there will be lots of people smarter than you, and lots of people not as smart as you. I’m sure it’ll be competitive, but if you set your mind to it, you’ll be fine.</p>

12

<p>^are you a premed at UMich right now?</p>

<p>And does Honors help a premed? I asked this before but I can’t remember the answer.</p>

13

<p>does honors help? well it depends. holding everything equal (grades, MCAT, ECs, essays, etc), it may help slightly. if you are going to do honors, make sure you can excel in the program… otherwise it’s not worth it.</p>

<p>and yes, it is a large school. there are many bright kids, but also many kids who won’t make it past preliminary applications. </p>

<p>but in the end, you shouldn’t worry about how others do in your school. there are many qualified and brilliant pre-meds from all around the nation from very prestigious and non-prestigious schools as well, who will be applying for the same spot you want in med school. they are your competition.</p>

14

<p>^I mean the Honors classes. Aren’t they smaller? Would that be to the benefit of a premed (easier classes?)? I know that the actual Honors accolade won’t help but would the perks of Honors help a premed or are the extra classes + work not worth it?</p>

15

<p>I have applied as Pre-Med to Mich but have been told to stay weary of the place before enrolling. My friends in college (at UofM) say it is very difficult to keep your GPA up. been told to go to MSU instead.</p>

16

<p>Yep, I’m a premed at U of M in the College of Engineering. I haven’t found it too difficult, but then again, I’m only a freshman :)</p>

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<p>i thought you were an asian studies major…</p>

18

<p>LOL, are you getting me confused with tentai? oh god…</p>

19

<p>LOL my bad.</p>