<p>I have 2 pre-meds: one attended a mid-ranked large state flagship (she’s now in med school) and the other a top 30 research U known for its pre-med program (she’s doing 2 years of clinical research prior to applying). While both were good students, neither were absolutely top of their classes in high school. (Top 15%–yes, valedictorian–no). Both had ACT/SAT scores that placed then in top quartile of their respective schools.</p>
<p>D1 at state flagship was not a typical pre-med (physics & math major), but D2 (bio & math major) at the pre med school was. Neither girl called the competition “cut-throat”, i.e. no sabotaging, no ripping pages out of reference books (both of which I’d seen happen elsewhere when I was a student). But the competition was intense. All science classes “weed”–use strict curves to ‘encourage’ weaker students to find other career paths. Note this was just as true for physics and mathematics as it was for the bio majors. (Physicists in particular have a reputation for eating their own young–i.e. extremely tough undergrad coursework that forces most wannbes out of the program. D1’s class started out with almost 120 physics majors as sophs; her class graduated 14. Which, btw, is pretty typical in physics.)</p>
<p>All science-based majors are going to be competitive in the sense that there are lots of student all chasing a limited number of As. It’s just the way it is. And if one chooses to pursue a life as a research scientist–that’s the way it’ll be for the rest of your career.(Married to a research physicist for 30+ years. BTDT.) One will always be competing for limited resources–funding, equipment, lab space…</p>
<p>I think to be a successful pre-med, one needs alot of grit, persistence, self-discipline, a willingness to seek help when needed and a willingness to go above and beyond the bare minimums required for a class. A successful pre med is challenged by competition but not intimidated by it. (Lots of head games among pre-meds, intentional and not. You need to be self-confident and to believe in your own ability or you will get ground down.)</p>
<p>BTW, I don’t want you to think pre-med is one big grind. Both girls had active social lives. One was very active in her sorority. For both the phrase:“Work hard, play hard” comes to mind. Neither spent Friday nights languishing in the library. (Sunday all day probably. But not Friday night.)</p>
<p>RE: cheating. Homework copying–yes, esp among certain segments, but cheating on exams and papers–not really. An academic discipline record will get you blackballed from ever getting accepted to medical school. Lots more cheating among math majors (certain subgroups) than among pre-meds.</p>