UMD vs UCSC for premed

WayOutWestMom
Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:14:02 +0000

Pre-med is a set of mostly intro level classes that are offered at nearly every college and most community colleges in the country. Your D will find the coursework she needs at both UMD and UCSC. Neither school will prepare her better to take the MCAT since the MCAT doesn’t test knowledge of class material. Prepping for the MCAT is 100% on the shoulders of the student.

The most important ECs needed to support a med school application are clinical exposure (either through volunteer activities or paid employment), community service with disadvantaged populations and leadership roles in their activities. Your daughter can find these types of opportunities just about anywhere.

So in term of academics and opportunities–I don’t see any particular advantage of one college over the other.

UCSC health profession advisors will be familiar with the expectations and requirements for your in-state med schools. UMD health profession advisors will not.

UCSC at in-state costs will less expensive than UMD OOS costs. This is a plus since medical school is horribly expensive and there is little FA except loans, loansand more loans. Student will be taking on huge debt during med school so are advised to minimize any undergrad debt.

What is your daughter’s Plan B in case med school doesn’t work out?
Is there anything special about UMD that would it make it better choice for her Plan B career? Unless there is–UCSC all the way.