Do medical schools care about what undergrad university you went to?
Do medical schools base a lot of their decision on where you went to school or more of grades, MCAT and activities?
For example: I am picking which school to go to next year for my undergrad. I am between Central Florida and Marquette. If i go to Central Florida will that drastically affect my chances of getting into Med school.
No, you are correct, a medical school is most concerned with your grades and MCAT scores. Look for a school that suits your needs so that you are set up for success. You will need a 3.5 GPA or better to go to med school. UCF is a fine school. Marquette is an excellent school and you will be challenged and well prepared for medical school but Jesuits are known for being tough graders sometimes. Marquette is also very expensive. With almost no scholarships available for medical school (it can cost $50,000/yr or more), you also want to think about how much money you will owe at the end of your education. Sounds like you’re leaning UCF, another perk is that Florida has a couple of medical schools to choose from and maintaining your FL residency will help. Study hard and good luck!
Going to CF should not result in a "drastic change" unless you and a Marquette student have identical records and are competing for the last available place. On the other hand, if it is easier to earn A grades at CF than at Marquette, going to CF will be advantageous.
The biggest factors in admissions are grades and MCAT scores, along with letters of recommendation, particularly from professors with whom you have done research.
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Thirty years ago, obtaining a Bachelor degree was a major achievement and a lot of emphasis was placed on where you went to school. Accordingly, schools retained influential people to instruct the courses. Today, a bachelor degree is as significant as a high school diploma and carries as much impact. Although schools like to boast of Nobel Lauerates being on staff, you can guarantee an undergrad student has little chance of even seeing the person on campus, let alone sit in a course.
People who spend $50,000 a semester to attend an undergrad school will, with all sincereity, attempt to convince you that this gives them an advantage. In reality, many physicians begin their post-high school education at community colleges and complete their undergrad degrees at little known institutions. That last sentence is worth reading again.
The bottom line is you should go to the school you want and can afford to attend. Medical schools accept people, not schools.
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No, you are correct, a medical school is most concerned with your grades and MCAT scores. Look for a school that suits your needs so that you are set up for success. You will need a 3.5 GPA or better to go to med school. UCF is a fine school. Marquette is an excellent school and you will be challenged and well prepared for medical school but Jesuits are known for being tough graders sometimes. Marquette is also very expensive. With almost no scholarships available for medical school (it can cost $50,000/yr or more), you also want to think about how much money you will owe at the end of your education. Sounds like you’re leaning UCF, another perk is that Florida has a couple of medical schools to choose from and maintaining your FL residency will help. Study hard and good luck!
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Nope. Where you get your undergraduate education will NOT affect your chance of getting into med school.
However, certain medical schools give preferences to a state residents.
That being said, your chances of getting into Florida based medical schools are higher than, say, medical schools in Texas.
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