@20177588 It works in three ways. 1. The student from the better school, gains more knowledge resulting in higher test scores ( all things being equal). 2. They get a boost from the name vs. a lower tiered student, and 3. when they enter med school they will have access to better tracks. The only downside to the highly ranked school is,that the student’s GPA may be lower due to a better pool of students. I went to multiple colleges including two A schools and it does matter. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. I know it’s not an option for all, however. The world is changing.
We need to recognize that many amazing students who are middle class are squeezed out of the universities they wished to attend and to which they were accepted. They may have attended a lesser school in terms of “prestige” but may have still learned a great deal. They may also have high MCAT and GPA scores as would be expected.
Some of the posts don’t take into account that even the medical school you attend matters in terms of where you will do your residency. Programs are going to accept the best candidates and that includes incorporating all factors into the equation. While it may be unfair or not equal access to all based on a pure a meritocracy, the system does allow many to become doctors. While a low GPA is unsurmountable to attend med school, the playing field is not level. It never was.
There are many who say that a medical degree is a medical degree. That is true. But many patients consider the education of their doctor before they decide on the procedure.
I’m not arguing for or against the current system. I just think it’s disingenuous to lead people to believe that all education is the same. It’s not. Ask a doctor from a prestigious hospital in a specialized field where he/she went to school, it’s likely you’ll end up with the same answers over and over. If you don’t believe it, why are the best hospitals in the US connected with the best medical schools? Chance. Not likely. Teaching hospitals teach their med students and the cycle repeats.