<p>elizabeth:</p>
<p>I don’t disagree that Chicago is hard to get into, nor do I disagree that it is a fabulous college. The point is tha med (and law) schools look at gpa first, mcat second, and ec’s third. Obviously, the top kids at Chicago and a school like Hopkins can literally write their own ticket to grad school. But, there are literally hundreds that show up every year and don’t make it past inorganic chem. As a result, dream denied, and one is left with a liberal arts education at one of the world’s best colleges, but with lotsa debt; in the OP’s words, “huge loans.” I’m not sure the trade-off is worth it, and would not recommend any student take on that kinda debt for undergraduate work, particularly since med school will cost 2-3 times as much. </p>
<p>corranged said it all – the top dog at UF (and Chicago) is gonna get a LOT of professorial attention, the opportunity for research and great recs. But, I’m guessing that it is much easier to become the top dog in Gainesville than it is in Hyde Park. Again, med school is all about gpa. If it were other grad programs (econ, sociology, etc.), then I’d rec Chicago all the way, since grad schools in those programs provide stipends whereas professional schools (med, law, biz) do not.</p>
<p>But, just my opinion.</p>