As a recent Northeastern commit, I cannot decide whether I wish to do 2 CO-OPS and 4 year graduation or 3 and 5. From what I’ve read this seems to be the standard? If there is another way of going about this please inform me. I am coming in a a biology major hoping to double in chem and I’m not positive what I want to do post grad (MD/DO/DMD/DPM), they all seem to have their pros and cons to me. But as an incoming freshman, I’m not worried about that. My question is, given the selectivity of any of these post-grad schools (which vary from MD and down) is it worth it to take another year, will it give you an edge? Is it more worth it to graduate in 4, with 2 CO-OPs, and apply right away? Or perhaps graduate in 4 and do lab or clinical work for a year before applying. Not looking for suggestions specifically, but insight.
Whether you do 2 coops or 3 - you still spend 8 semesters in class (using summers to do so). The 3 coop 5 year model is not extra class time. I can’t specifically address which is preferred for med school though. My daughter is in a 5 year BS/MS program, but was only able to do 1 coop. This is specific to her major.
Here’s the nice thing: finding have to decide yet. I started out planning to do 3-4 years and 1 co-op, maybe 2. I ended up doing 5 years and 3 co-ops. I don’t think there’s necessarily a best option from the perspective of what medical schools like. It really depends on what you do with each of these options, and either case would work. I’d recommend keeping your options open to start and perhaps talk to a pre-med advisor once you start.
Thanks!