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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is what I don't understand about all the advice given here:

I've seen this same advice many times given on this forum - for medical school, it doesn't matter where you go to UG. Go to an easy undergrad and get a good gpa and do well on MCATs.

Usually, when posters say to go to an easy undergrad, they mean a lower ranked ug.

But, these two facts are also true:

It's still hard to get into medical school. Even if you have a good GPA/MCAT, you can still be denied entry into medical school. Look at poster 8:14. On this forum, I have read similar tales.

These kids are still in high school. How many high school students enter college thinking they want to attend med school but change their mind by sophomore year?

Given those two facts, isn't it still good advice to tell the kids to still pick the best college they can get into because of all the different opportunities that college will give them?

Let's say OP's son is able to get into UPENN. Sure, he may have an easier time getting into med school if he attends Juniata, but will he have as many opportunities for other things if he attends there? What if in his sophomore year he decides he doesn't want medical school. Would Juniata still be considered a better pick?[/quote]

The options people are discussing aren't usually between UPENN and Juniata.  A student who can get into U Penn and can afford it, probably should go there because it supports many different opportunities.  The decision would be more for situations like Pitt and Juniata.  Pitt is higher ranked for what that is worth, but they can get an excellent education at both that applies to many areas of study and they would likely have better med school admit rates from Juniata if there were a strong student.  It's not just med school admit rates, its also access to a supporting environment that works to keep you on the pre-med track rather than weed you out.  That said, a weak student isn't going to get into med school period--doesn't really matter where they go to college.

Also, med school for many students isn't as open to change of mind as other majors.  Many kids just know they want to be a doctor due to their life experiences or there is considerable family pressure to become a doctor and that's what they are expected to do regardless of their feelings.  If that's the case, optimizing med school admission might make more sense for UG.  If it's not the case, then optimizing school reputation and other aspects of fit might make more sense.[/quote]

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