<p>Hi :)
I'm a rising junior, starting to think about where I should apply for college. My parents want me to apply to some 6/7 year programs, but I haven't really done any ECs that show that I have a great interest in medicine. I do have many biology related ones, but they mostly relate to plant sciences and ecology. Most of my other ECs relate to Spanish/languages, which is probably what I'd write essays about (incorporating science and languages). Is it virtually impossible to get accepted into a 7 year program (I know they are very competitive) if you don't evince that you have a real interest in medicine specifically?
Also, what are some 6/7 year programs other than BU and Baylor? Exactly how competitive are these programs?
Thank you~</p>
<p>I’m a senior right now, and I’m in about the same boat as you are, but I actually have to deal with my college decisions NOW.
As such, I can’t really answer your first questions. However, from what I’ve read, you need very strong ACT or SAT grades, so I suggest working on those as best you can. </p>
<p>I would do a search of “6-year med program”/“7-year med program”/“8-year med program”
From what I’ve gotten so far (and there’s actually a lot of them), there’s Brown Northwestern, Penn state, Rice-Baylor, UCSD/Caltech, and UMKC. There’s a whole lot more, and each of them are slightly different, but with similarly extremely rigorous admissions criteria. </p>
<p>Since you still have time, I HIGHLY recommend volunteering at some hospital, though it probably would have been better to show a four-year commitment throughout high school. Other than that, don’t rule out the traditional path :)</p>