So I got into the University of Florida (biochemistry) and Texas A&M (biomedical sciences). I am a Texas resident and was wondering which school would prepare me the best for taking the MCAT and getting into med school. Also, if I end up going to UF and live in an apartment my last three years there will I sill be considered a Texas resident or a Florida resident? Lastly, out of the two states (Texas and Florida), which one is “easier” to get into med school? Thanks in advance
Congrats on your acceptances! However you do have some misconceptions. Colleges don’t “prepare me the best for taking the MCAT”. Undergrad bio, chem, etc. is going to cover the same thing no matter where you take it, and neither of these 2 (nor any other) has discovered the secret for making it easy. If you want to do well its on your shoulders to learn how to study effectively, to do enough practice problems to make sure you do well on tests, see the TA for help as needed, form study groups, etc. Colleges will do none of this for you.
It is also on your shoulders to do the other things needed to be a competitive med school applicant. Read thru the very informative FAQ at http://www.rhodes.edu/hpa/15890.asp They also have a nice writeup in the PreMed Essentials link on the left side of that page. There is also an excellent online handbook at Amherst I recommend to get an understanding of the process and what really matters See http://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide1.html
I always ask kids that say they want to be doctors, why an M.D? Not that I know it is wrong for you, it may be the right fit, but have you actually looked into the medical field and considered the alternatives? From the day you start college it will be 11-15 years before you are a practicing doctor, depending on what field you go into. In other words, think back to 1st grade; all those years since then matches the minimum it will take to become a practicing doc! Its almost a reflex action among HS kids, they think of a career in medicine and its “I’m pre-med!” Doctors are far from the only ones in the health field that help people. Physical therapists, radiology techs, nurses, speech pathologists, to name but just a few. Before you go heavily into debt and commit so many years I suggest you explore the alternatives.
UF is going to cost you about $20,000 more per year than TAMU. I doubt having a lease off campus will satisfy UF requirements for residency – usually it’s based on where your parents lived for the last 12 months.
Colleges don’t prepare students for the MCAT nor med school.
You’re instate for Texas, so there’s no reason to pay OOS costs for a Florida school.
You will still be a Texas resident even if you get an apt for your last 3 years of school in Florida.
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Lastly, out of the two states (Texas and Florida), which one is "easier" to get into med school? Thanks in advance
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It will be hard to get the necessary grades and MCAT score to be “med school worthy.” As a Texas resident, if you have med school worthy stats, you will find it easier to get into a Texas med school.
All US MD schools are excellent, so you don’t have to worry about that.
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I’ll be a senior next year. I’d like to know what you guys think my chances would be to get into Texas a&m or UT Austin.
Weighted gpa- 4.45
Unweighted-3.67
Class rank-87/654
SAT- 1780(eww)(660 math:600 CR:520 writing)
AP classes- I’ve taken 4
Extra curricular- band for four years, varsity golf for four years, been working since I was a sophomore (15hrs a week), national honors society
My planned undergrad major- premed (I know it’s not an official “major” but I plan to go to med school after undergrad)
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Your bigger concern needs to be grades and your testing ability. Don’t even consider risking your chances by going to UF.