Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/11/2009

Question
Hi, I am very interested in becoming an Anesthesiologist and I have heard that you are better off if you get into a very well known college before medical school because you might need that besides good grades to get into the medical  school of your choice because of all the competition. Is this true? and what schools should I be looking at applying to?

Answer
This is NOT true. If you go to any 4-yr college and do well in your courses and MCATs, you can get into a good medical school. Does coming out of Harvard give you a better chance...maybe, but remember, in Harvard you will competing with the best so your GPA will likely be lower and that will hurt you in the end. Better to go to a college that is appropriate for you, do well and apply, then to go to a college that is too competitive, get average grades and be non-competitive for medical school.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMb-Galveston