Apr 30
I’m a junior in high school (California) and want to go to medical school. I might go to Oregon, or a Cal State school. What I’m wondering is how difficult would the transition be to go from Oregon to a medical school from UC Irvine for example.
Top medical schools do not necessarily like students from universities that are rather mediocre or unknown in regards to their premed, such as Oregon or the Cal States. Thus, I would choose a school that is better, such as a private institution or one of the UC’s.
Oregon has a really, really good Biology department and Human Physiology department. I currently go to the UO and premed. Premed is not a major here, it is a subsection of the Biology department, as you may or may not know, you can go to med school with any major, you just need to have the requirements.
We have several academic advisors dedicated to premed students. We also have that massive book that lets you know what each medical school is looking for. We also have this premed group called the Asklepiads (some greek god of healing). Every other week they have special guests talk, doctors to medical students. However, this group does set up job shadowing at the local hospitals. Surgery is hard to job shadow for, but apparently Emergency doctors are more than willing. The group works closely with Kaplan. Once, Kaplan and the club set up a suturing day with pigs feet. Kaplan also holds classes for MCATs for only $600… which is cheaper than the $2000 they usually charge.
As for our Biology, they have huge labs underground. Students aren’t allowed down there unless ur a research assistant, but they do a tour in the beginning of the year. We also have a cadaver lab. I heard our human physiology and anatomy courses are quite a great experience. Very hands on. I hope to take those courses nxt year.
Now that i’ve promoted my school enough, ill try to get to your question. For public medical schools, state residents have a higher chance of getting in. Even though I go to Oregon for college, I am a resident of Hawaii because that is where I am a dependent and file my taxes. The rules for becoming a resident of Oregon are pretty tough. Basically, if you go to school in Oregon, you will still be a resident of Cali.
I believe it is first and foremost about where you are from. It is definitely an experience to live in hippy Eugene, Or., an experience that isn’t for a lot of people. You may also want to consider out of state tuition, if that will apply for you. Out of state tuition is deathly expensive.
Eugene also has many resources such as HIV Alliance, Peacehealth medical centers, and Volunteers of Medicine surrounding campus for when you need to start on volunteer work. And start your volunteer work early!
Sorry for the long response. I just wouldn’t consider UO “mediocre”.