Hi everyone, I am RajPatel's younger brother and am kind of interested in the medical field and may go pre-med in undergrad. I just finished my freshman year of undergrad at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. I have made a 2.62 gpa this yr. with the following grades: (1st semester) English Comp. I-C, Intermediate Algebra-B, Intro. to Sociology-B, and University 101-B
(2nd semester) English Comp. II-C, Pre-Cal Algebra-C, Chemical-Problem Solving(a refresher course for Gen Chem I)-C, and Theatre-A. I am definetely trying to do real well in college for a good undergrad gpa to have for a US med school and will work on trying to bring my current gpa up much higher. I'll definitely bust my *** for MCAT. On the other hand, I currently have in my mind to try to transfer from UAB to a more prestigious school like UNC, Vanderbilt, or University of Rochester during undergrad. My biggest concern is I know that pre-med courses will be tougher in UNC, Vandy, or Rochester than at UAB which may lead to lower grades even w/ hard-*** effort. UNC, Vandy, and Rochester are more prestigious and harder school than UAB. Also, I'm not that good of a test-taker..I studied well for the SAT, but only scored a 1000 max., not a 1200-1400! I assume that going to a more prestigious school w/ good preparation will lead to a higher MCAT score..rt? I'm afraid of making low grades at a prestigious school. Does an applicant with lower grades and lower test scores from a more prestigious, name-brand university have an advantage over an applicant with higher grades and higher test scores from a less prestigious university whose name isn't that well known? Do y'all think a pre-med from some place like Harvard or Johns Hopkins w/ a 2.0 gpa and 40 MCAT score or even 20(if he's still a naturally poor test-taker) w/ great extracurricular and hospital experience and nice recommendations would still have at least a chance towards any US medical school EVEN IF HE AT LEAST ATTENDED ONE OF THOSE NAME-BRAND SCHOOLS OR SOME OTHER TOP 25 UNDERGRAD SCHOOL AND TRIED HARD!? One thing I hate is how people try very hard in life and still not get the results they deserve! HOW UNFAIR! Also I don't understand how people usually assume that once people enter an ivy-league type university that their futures are set REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY DO IN THOSE IVY-lEAGUE COLLEGES! Finally, to have a chance for a US med school or the big 3 in the carribbean, do y'all think it's best if I transfer to the most prestigious undergrad school I could get into and do pre-med there or shall I stay at UAB and take the pre-med courses at the easiest community college nearby w/ intense prep for MCAT? Also, on the other hand, which specialties are not that competitve which include a nice lifestyle like not being stressed about major deaths and just working like 8 AM-5 or 7 PM on weekdays? Thanks for all of the time and please help me with whatever you can.