Adruidan

[Adruidan]

I just got into the University of Washington too, which one should I go to, Creighton or the University of Washington? UW is ranked much more highly, but from what I saw at Creighton, it’s more condusive to a learning atmosphere–nice middle sized town with a very cooperative student body rather than competitive like UW. I know it is ultimately up to me, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Also, from what I know about Creighton, 85% of the residencies obtained are from a very large alumni network, and are suppossedly amongst some of the more prestigous residencies in the nation. I don’t know if that is just Creighton’s propaganda, or if it is really as good as they say. UW is also cheaper, but I am more worried about the education I will receive and the residency opportunities I will have rather than my after-school debt.

[Adruidan]

I just got into the University of Washington too, which one should I go to, Creighton or the University of Washington? UW is ranked much more highly, but from what I saw at Creighton, it’s more condusive to a learning atmosphere–nice middle sized town with a very cooperative student body rather than competitive like UW. I know it is ultimately up to me, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Also, from what I know about Creighton, 85% of the residencies obtained are from a very large alumni network, and are suppossedly amongst some of the more prestigous residencies in the nation. I don’t know if that is just Creighton’s propaganda, or if it is really as good as they say.

[Adruidan]

I have seen that argument on these boards before, and I don’t understand it. Basing the quality of my institution solely on my GPA vs. my MCAT scores does not make sense. As I said before, Whitman students that have 3.5+ GPAs regularly score around a 35 average on the MCATs, I just went in with too much confidence knowing I graduated #1 out of the premeds, and that they had done well one the MCATs (I took a year off before I took them). Hence, if the admissions committee at each medical school is as smart as they should be, they would look at the reputation and these averages, not simply judge my institution on my individual performance. In fact, the class of 2002 from Whitman averaged a 14 on the physical section of the MCATs, so I am sure many of these institutions must know the discrepancy in my scores are not reflective of Whitman College’s quality.

[Adruidan]

So are you saying that Creighton is not a very good school? I know quite a bit about it, including that I do not see it one anyone’s list of outstanding medical schools. The University of Washington listed me as competitive post-interview, and they do know the quality of my institution. Students from Whitman with any chance at medical school usually score around 35 on the MCATs, but at the same time, most of them don’t take a year off from school and then take the MCATs without reviewing some material. Nevertheless, most competitive Whitman students get accepted to the University of Washington and other outstanding schools such as Johns Hopkins, Duke, and OHSU. A 29Q cannot be the deciding factor on whether I would make a good physician, albeit I know it may sway some schools to question my drive–considering that, comparatively, my GPA is so much higher (especially my science GPA) then my MCATs, one would most certainly conclude that I did not prepare adequately. But, in my honest opinion, spending 4 years working hard at a quality institution should be a more accurate measure of my work-ethic then spending a few months preparing for a standardized exam.

[Adruidan]

Whitman is ranked as the best and most intensive undergraduate institution in the Northwest and is consistently ranked in the top 30 in the nation, so although it isn’t well known outside of those who must know how colleges rank nationally, it is a very good school. Currently only 3 liberal arts schools on the west coast rank as high or higher than Whitman, and not one Northwest school comes close. So I know it isn’t my school. I graduated #1 of every science major at Whitman in 2003, and the average MCAT scores for premeds at Whitman are around 35, with 2002’s average physical science score a 14. I just didn’t study <slaps himself>. My only problem is I know I can score higher, 33+ easily, but should I take this acceptance (Creighton) over an opportunity to go to a school like the University of Washington that is consistently ranked in the top 5 medical schools nationally?

[Adruidan]

Hi, I have a few questions on whether I should be worried about which Medical School I go to. I have recently been accepted by a mid-level medical school, but I have a few first-tier medical schools on my mind. I have had very few interviews, albeit I did apply to relatively difficult schools. I graduated from Whitman College in Washington and took a year off to spend some time with my little brother because his father died recently. My undergraduate information is:

3.897 Cumulative GPA
3.975 Science GPA
29Q MCAT Score (10V, 9P, 10B)
I have 1 year of research and I wrote an honor’s thesis that will be parially published soon. I have worked in the medical field for nearly 2 years now and have volunteered at both of the hospitals in my hometown, and am currently volunteering at both while working two jobs at medically based facilities.

First, why do you think I have received few interviews? The schools I am most interested in are the University of Washington, OHSU, UCSF, Rochester, Emory, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and John’s Hopkins. However, I have received interviews from only one at this point and have been rejected by two. Moreover, I did not study for my MCATs, and did take it in August of 2003, so I am late in the application cycle and know I can do better. Should I study up, retake them, reject my acceptance to the mid-level school, and reapply?? I am going to be 23 in April. Also, what do you think of Jefferson, Creighton, U of Maryland medical schools?

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