Which premed uni should I choose?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Hi everyone! I’ve been hounding my friends and family for too long about this, so I decided to gather some additional opinions…</p>

<p>I’m 16, graduating from high school two years early with decent SAT scores (Critical Reading=730, Writing=730, Math=660; I was really nervous during the math section…). I’m trying to choose between two universities…</p>

<p>Option 1: </p>

<p>-In my hometown.</p>

<p>-Very good financial choice (less then 3000 dollars/year with university scholarships; will probably be less when I add in other scholarships)</p>

<p>-Not really prestigious…</p>

<p>-Will probably be at the top of my class?? (Although my SAT scores were less than stellar, I’m usually at the top because of my study habits, goody-two-shoes lifestyle, and my natural talent at academics)</p>

<p>-2 year concentrated, premed program (According to my estimates, I’d say about 150 people are enrolled in this program) that can lead to one of 25 reserved spots at med school in the same city. Might also lead to one of 25 reserved spots at two other med schools outside the city. ARE THESE GOOD ODDS???</p>

<p>Option 2:</p>

<p>-Outside my hometown.</p>

<p>-Decent choice financially tuition-wise ($6000 excluding scholarships), but very $$$ for living outside of my city.</p>

<p>-Very prestigious; internationally recognized as a good school.</p>

<p>-My SAT scores are in the required range</p>

<p>-4 year premed program, can lead to a very prestigious med school within the university. Competition to get in is INTENSE.</p>

<p>The common sense choice seems to be option one, but since I want to work not only in clinic (I want to do some communications, journalism, and business work as well when I become a doctor), I think the prestige might help my future career. Thoughts??</p>

2

<p>Chances are if you are good enough to get one of those reserved spots you can get into a more competitive medical school anyways. Where you go won’t make a difference. If the extra money is worth it to you to go to the 2nd choice, go there. If you are going to be equally or more happy at the first one, go there.</p>

3

<p>You do not know yet if you get to combined bs/md. Apply, get in, then decide. They are very hard to get in. Have wide range of them to apply, if you want this route, do not apply to few only. Also, investigate, there are some bs/md programs that allow you to apply out for Med. school still retaining your spot in a program, it is very good option, since nobody can estimate what they get on MCAT.</p>

4

<p>Actually, the first uni doesn’t require their students to take the MCAT. Virtually all the students follow the same program, so the school determines admission using grades. The number of students isn’t restricted for admission either (but nursing is… go figure!). I think the government or local hospitals pushed for the uni to encourage students as much as possible because there is a lack of doctors here…</p>

5

<p>Well, admission into premed isn’t restricted. Med is limited to 25 students per year.</p>

6

<p>If you get in to combined program, then decide, all programs are very hard to get in even with perfect GPA, very high standardized test scores. If you do not take MCAT, then you have no choice at Med. school, the only one available is the one in your program. Some combined programs allow to apply out.</p>

7

<p>What are the schools?</p>

8

<p>You’re only 16 years old…doing a concentrated program where you’d go to med school at 18 does not seem like the wisest choice to me. You need to enjoy being young and the college life without so much stress. You’d be entering med school at the same time most kids are entering undergrad. If you want to jump that far ahead then by all means go for it, but you might be at a slight disadvantage should you not receive one of those 25 spots due to the age! It’s an ambitious choice, but ultimately your decision.</p>

9

<p>Maybe I’m wrong but does the OP maybe mean that you do 2 years pre-med and the top 25 are offered a spot that is reserved for them until they graduate?</p>

10

<p>Other countries have direct med schools that are 5 years long. No undergrad required. So, those kids would be ~23 when they get out…which the OP would be around. Just saying, I also think that its very young, but its not unheard of.</p>

11

<p>To mmmcdowe: That’s the way it works.</p>

<p>To Eadad: U de Sherbrooke and McGill University</p>

<p>To SarahJudith: I know that 16 is really young. However, I don’t really have much of a choice. I have to study something for the next two years. I think being younger should actually give me an edge though. I’m already competitive when you factor in age because I have had a packed life and because there is a strong demand for doctors here (although, where isn’t there?). If I enter younger and work for more years as a result, then I think they’ll favor that. Hopefully.</p>