<p>I’ve heard a lot about all of these programs/schools and I was wondering which would be best for getting into Medical School? I’m completely set on medicine. </p>
<p>A lot of people say not to go with UMich if I plan on going Pre-Med, some UMich students have even told me first hand that they wish they went elsewhere just because it’s harder to get a good GPA with all the weeder classes as opposed to Wayne where someone could have a better chance with getting a better GPA [which apparently med schools would choose the student with a better gpa rather than whoever went to a college with a better ranking] [is that even true?]</p>
<p>But, of the three different colleges which would be the best to attend in hopes of getting into medical school.</p>
<p>some UMich students have even told me first hand that they wish they went elsewhere just because it’s harder to get a good GPA with all the weeder classes as opposed to Wayne where someone could have a better chance with getting a better GPA [which apparently med schools would choose the student with a better gpa rather than whoever went to a college with a better ranking] [is that even true?]</p>
<p>Med schools don’t care whether the student went to UMich or Wayne State. Ranking in this case would not matter at all. </p>
<p>What are your stats? I think it’s best for premeds to go to schools where their stats are well within the top quartile so that their chances for the best GPA are greatest. (However, premed classes at any good school will not be easy…so no cake walks anywhere). </p>
<p>I feel bad for the premeds who really want to go to med school and think that the route includes attending reach schools…and then they end up with so-so GPA’s because too many of their classmates were stronger students than they are. </p>
<p>If you truly think that you’d get a better GPA at Wayne State, MSU, or similar, then consider those schools…if you’d like attending them.</p>
<p>It is unfortunate that medical schools do not differentiate between schools that have grade inflation and those that do not. Also, if a student pursues a harder major, like engineering, the med schools are not known to make adjustments for the lower GPA. It seems that they may be missing out on great students who may attend highly competitive schools with hard majors, but may be dissuaded from applying to med schools simply because of their ‘sub-par’ undergraduate GPA. MCAT scores & UG GPA are two of the major detrminants to med schools’ admissions, among other factors. </p>
<p>Coming back to the choice of attending Michigan, Wayne State or Michigan State, it may be prudent to attend Wayne State since (i) One is likely to get better GPA (ii) There are more opportunities to participate in medical/health related activities around metro Detroit. However, with the recent steep increase in tuition at Wayne State, the total cost of attendance may be closer to MSU. MSU is much larger, offers more majors, and has a better college experience as compared with WSU. Michigan, on ther hand, has a student body that is more geographically diverse that has overall better acdemic achievemets. Maintaining a great GPA through the numerous required classes may be more challenging at Michigan.</p>
<p>First of all, I disagree with Trinity about opportunities for research. The University of Michigan/Ann Arbor offer more undergraduate research opportunities than Wayne State/Detroit. The University of Michigan is far and away the largest research spender in the state, and the University Hospital is one of the best of its kind in the nation. Furthermore, the University of Michigan has several research communities designed for entering Freshmen, such as UROP and MRC. There are literally over a thousand Freshmen placed in those programs each year.</p>
<p>Furthermore, it is a myth that attending a university with “easier” grading will improve your chances of admission into medical school. A 4.0 GPA with a mediocre MCAT will not fool any medical admissions committee, and if you are accomplished enough to do well on the MCAT, maintaining a high GPA at a competitive school should not be a problem if you put in the effort.</p>
<p>Here’s some food for thought:</p>
<p>ALUMS CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (out of a total of 568)
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 12
Michigan State University 1
Wayne State University 0</p>
<p>ALUMS ENROLLED AT WUSTL SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FROM 1995-2011
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 48
Michigan State University 7
Wayne State University 0</p>
<p>ALUMS CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (out of a total of 660)
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 205
Michigan State University 15
Wayne State University 10</p>
<p>Alexandre is using examples of elite medical schools which only accept the “cream of the crop” so naturally U of M will have more students represented at the best medical programs since it has a much more talented student body overall (the smartest kids at U of M are much smarter than the best kids at the other schools). </p>
<p>However, for someone who would just be average at UMich, he/she would be better off attending MSU or Wayne since it will be easier to maintain a higher GPA. This advice is best for a student who is just seeking admission to any medical program.</p>
<p>A 4.0 GPA with a mediocre MCAT will not fool any medical admissions committee,</p>
<p>I agree that a good MCAT is needed as well. The MCAT results not only indicates how muchthe person knows, but also the ability to apply the info.</p>
<p>But the top schools aren’t teaching anything special to get those higher MCAT scores. Yes, there are many top MCAT scoring students coming out of top schools, but those scores aren’t because of the top schools. Those students were already the types to score high on tests. If those high scoring ACT students attended college elsewhere (at a good school) they’d still get a high MCAT.</p>
<p>There are more hospitals and clinics in Metro Detroit than in Ann Arbor or East Lansing. It is, therefore, comparatively easier to shadow a health professional in hospital or clinical setting for Pre meds in Metro Detroit area. </p>
<p>While participating in undergraduate research is feasible at all the three universities, getting a slot at Univ. of Michigan UROP program during the first year of college is not given. My S, who had steller GPA + scores (perfect ACT & SAT II), and prior research expereince at a major research lab during high school, had to wait a year before he was able to get into UROP at Michigan. He was told by UROP folks that preference would be given to students who did not have any previous research experience! By the way, my S was assured of a paid research assistantship at both MSU & WSU. </p>
<p>If a student wants to be be admitted to in-state medical schools (lower tuition), WSU is a good option.</p>
<p>“There are more hospitals and clinics in Metro Detroit than in Ann Arbor or East Lansing.”</p>
<p>Perhaps, but are they as willing to give undergrads internships or research opportunities? And if so, why are those hospitals opposed to offering such opportunities to Michigan or MSU students? Generally speaking, Michigan students seeking research opportunities will find them.</p>
<p>Trinity, I did no say that Michigan was a better option, I was merely commenting on the OP’s opening post; that going to the University of Michigan puts premeds at a disadvantage because of harsher grading. </p>
<p>Another thing to consider is contingency planning. Many premeds end up opting out of the medical profession in favor of another career. Attending Michigan could open more doors. Unless money is a key factor (students strong enough to be admitted at Michigan often get great incentives from MSU and WSU), I think Michigan over MSU and WSU makes better sense.</p>
<p>As I’ve lurked these boards the one thing I’ve seen is that Alexandre shills for U of M at every possible turn. I think that his association with the U of M taints his advice.</p>