<p>Is it true that people who are in accelerated BS/MD programs are put at a slight disadvantage with regards to getting into residencies (or at least some of them)? I heard this, as they were perceived to be less mature and/or too rushed throughout undergrad/med school.</p>
<p>Age discrimination is technically illegal, but yeah it definitely occurs under the guise of maturity perception. As far as the BS/MD discrimination, I’ve never heard of it. Take a 5th year to do research or something and then you won’t really be that much younger. Honestly though 26 vs 24 doesn’t to me sound like I need to be ringing the immaturity bell. I think it’s more of a concern in medical school when you occasionally have 18 year olds and younger applying in.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I’m currently a high school senior and have just committed to Brown’s PLME program, which isn’t accelerated itself. However, I did choose PLME over some other accelerated programs and was just curious.</p>
<p>First of all, I would like to say, the advantage of accelerated vs non-accelerated to me is (obviously) the time you save. So taking an extra year to do research (if you’re goal is to become a doctor as quickly as possible) would be counterintuitive. Though I do see what you’re saying for the 24 vs. 26 argument though if I am thinking about a hypercompetitive residency, would you see something like this happen? I know someone who went to a 6 year combined program, interviewed for a neurosurgery residency at a hospital where the interviewer learned his age and just told him to leave. Ironically, he was matched to that hospital but that was his last choice, so I can’t help but wonder if it affected him for his top choices.</p>
<p>Not true, if your goal is a competitive specialty then a 5 year medical education vs a 4 is often considered part of the package. So you are still finishing two years faster, it just was never a 4 year plan to begin with. Even if you aren’t interested in the most competitive specialties, a year off during medical school will make you more competitive in any specialty practically, giving you a better chance of getting the one you want. The point is moot, ultimately, because you are doing the 8 year package. If you are looking for confirmation that you chose the right one, I would say Brown is a good university on all levels and you are going to get a full 4 year college experience. I assume you must have liked it there as well, so yes I think you made the right choice.</p>
<p>I would also question your friend’s story. If they really threw him out like that there is no way they would have ranked him.</p>