Research is often over-valued by pre-meds and their parents. While some research exposure is expected in a pre-med, 1-2 semesters during undergrad or a summer intensive research program is plenty. (And this expectation is changing as research funding is disappearing right before eyes!)
Take a look at this document. On p 15, there’s the results of a survey of Adcomm officers and what they view as important when deciding who to interview and admit.
Research is of medium importance–equivalent to having a job that’s not medical or clinical.
And selectivity of the undergrad is of the lowest importance. So having the WashU or UVA name isn’t going to move the needle on getting a med school admission.
What is important? sGPA, MCAT score, community service with disadvantaged communities or groups, clinical volunteering or employment, physician shadowing, and holding leadership roles in your activities.
Please, don’t go into huge debt to go to WashU. It’s great school, but pre-med cannot afford to take on that kind debt. Physicians don’t earn what they once did, relatively speaking. Most physicians today are salaried employees of large healthcare organizations. Plus reimbursement for physicians has not kept up with inflation over the last 10-15 years.
Also after med school, you will have 3-12 years of relatively low pay. Resident salaries start in the mid $50K range and if you live in a high cost of living are (very likely since that’s where most major hospitals are located), you won’t have money left at the end of the month to make any kind pay down on your undergrad + med school loans.
PSLF and loan forgiveness is going away and even the possibility of relatively low interest w/ favorable repayment options federal government loans for med school may be going away.
Be smart–don’t saddle yourself with huge debt. Even if you make it into med school (and the odds say you won’t), $600K is a lot to pay off even on doctor’s salary.
