<p>@silverwind
What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of the program (apart from the fact that you don’t have to take the MCAT)?
There are 2 things I like: the first is that you get to do what YOU want to do with your time. There’s no boosting your résumé or GPA to do once you make the decision not to apply out, which means you can do things like join a cooking club or go to concerts the night before a final, and not have to worry about volunteering a certain number of hours or getting an A+ in every class. And, when it comes to your minor or extra classes, you can take what interests you, as opposed to what med schools will think is valuable. Personally, I’m into photography as a hobby and it looks like I might end up with a vis arts minor.
The second thing is that the MSs are a small group of people that are, for the most part, going to spend 7-8 years together. It’s great that we get to know our med school classmates this early, that we have friends who can relate to our goals and past experiences, and that we have people to share cool, geeky, science stuff with. One of my suite mates is an MS, and we’re planning on living together next year (:</p>
<p>Hi radiantrobot! First of all, thanks so much for creating this thread :)</p>
<p>I’m currently a junior, and I was wondering how important research is. My SAT 1, SAT 2 scores, AP test scores, and GPA are well within the average, but I haven’t done any research or written an article for a scientific journal, which I heard is pretty common (at least for those looking into BSMD programs). I will shadow a doctor this summer as a junior, but it’s going to be hard for me to research/write an article too. Do you think this will really hurt my chances? </p>
<p>Thank you for this thread! General question: does taking the subject tests have a big impact with regards to the admission process? I always thought the GPA/SAT or ACT requirement was just a standard to distinguish the top students (in an intellectual sense) and then after that they stop focusing on standardized tests and weigh more heavily on service/personality/drive. Correct me if I’m wrong please</p>
<p>Hi radianrobot,</p>
<p>After reviewing so many threads on cc i have realized how difficult it is to get into this program. Congratulations!</p>
<p>If let’s say, UCSD did not have this program, what would have been your next best option both within CA and outside?</p>
<p>This year 52 students made up the interviewee pool, according to what was told to us in the presentation.</p>
<p>@onlythebest13
Q: My scores are well within the average, but I haven’t done any research or written an article for a scientific journal, which I heard is pretty common (at least for those looking into BSMD programs). I will shadow a doctor this summer as a junior, but it’s going to be hard for me to research/write an article too. Do you think this will really hurt my chances?
A: Hi! Yes, most of us did research, but remember that these programs aren’t looking for a certain set of things, beyond a base level of qualification, which it looks like you have. Within the MSs my year, there’s definitely levels of research,-- some people published in a peer-reviewed journal or worked on their projects for years, others researched over summer. I think having experienced research helps an application, because at some point in med school you’ll probably do research and they want to know that you are prepared for it and won’t hate it. That said, you DO NOT need to get published, or to live in your lab. If you enjoy shadowing, do that. If you enjoy something else, do that thing. Also, working on someone else’s project, or even your own (though this less so), during the school year is feasible. Don’t cram everything into your summer if you feel like it’ll affect your ability to do what you’re doing well, but try to fit in some lab time somewhere. In my experience, CSU or UC labs will take high schoolers for 5-10 hours a week during the year, and they’d rather have someone who stays an entire academic year than a summer so they’ll understand when you can’t come in because school is keeping you busy. Bottom line: You don’t need to become a research god or publish, but showing that you can handle/understand/enjoy research is a serious plus. (though shadowing, which shows you can understand/handle the everyday life of a doctor, is probably equally or more important). And I know people at prestigious programs who never researched. It’s possible, so don’t force it if you have no interest and no time, but do something relevant and interesting with the time not spent in lab.</p>
<p>@youlee
Does taking the subject tests have a big impact with regards to the admission process? I always thought the GPA/SAT or ACT requirement was just a standard to distinguish the top students (in an intellectual sense) and then after that they stop focusing on standardized tests and weigh more heavily on service/personality/drive.
Disclaimer: I don’t admit people. I don’t actually know.
That said, our interviews last year, and the MMIs this year, didn’t seem to be about about our scores, or even our studies in general. I think if you didn’t take any SAT IIs, or if your scores were subpar, it might give them pause, but perfect scores shouldn’t be a big deal.</p>
<p>@sm577501
If let’s say, UCSD did not have this program, what would have been your next best option both within CA and outside?
Good in-state programs: There’s a direct DO program through the Claremont colleges, and UCR offers the chance to apply to UCR’s medical school early in your undergraduate career through the Thomas Halder program (used to be UCLA’s before they opened their own medical school)
Good in-state options: (obviously) Stanford, USC (If you’re well-qualified enough to apply to direct medical programs, you’ll probably end up with a full scholarship + money, and incredible support for any research or shadowing you want to do, so you won’t have to fight to be competitive.)
Good out-of-state programs: Rice/Baylor, Northwestern HPME (If you can handle the cold, or if research is important to you because they have an MD/PhD that you can add on without having to fully reapply), Brown PLME (They’re doing a huge revamp on the medical school. I’ve heard it’s about to become an amazing place to be.), Penn State/Jeff (You’re done in 6 years, so way less debt, and their USMLE numbers are pretty great. This is a good program for clinicians, though those interested in research will find it.) The other advantage to all these schools (minus Brown), is a better typical, spirit-filled, undergrad experience than UCSD (Although, you can have it at SD; it just needs a bit more effort.)
If you meant my best option personally, I was looking at USC in California, and then UPenn Vagelos Scholars or Penn State/Jefferson outside of California.</p>
<p>@radiantrobot,</p>
<p>It appears research seems to be common theme among those selected to MS pgm. Are there anyone without research exp? My son got some hosp volunteer exp and hospice exp but could not get in any summer pgms for research. We will continue to look but I think running out of time. Any recommendations for lab work in CA or bayarea that can help?</p>
<p>@sm577501 - I sort of addressed this here <a href=“Ask a UCSD Medical Scholar - #26 by radiantrobot - Multiple Degree Programs - College Confidential Forums”>Ask a UCSD Medical Scholar - #26 by radiantrobot - Multiple Degree Programs - College Confidential Forums;
but to address your questions a bit more specifically:
I know of one MS for sure, a few years older than us, and then there is one my year who I’m not sure about, but honestly most of us have done research. I live in southern California and worked at UCLA but honestly your best bet is probably Cal States. Just email people with a resume and propose a meeting, as opposed to applying to programs, and be as polite as possible while being persistent. Remember, research can be done during the year, not just over summer! And really, you can be an impressive candidate without research. I think the fact that UCs, and SD specifically, are very research-oriented schools means that enjoying research makes you a good fit there, but there are probably other things that can do the same!</p>
<p>How hard do you feel it is to maintain the 3.5 GPA in the program? </p>
<p>It’s definitely manageable, but it’s not easy. You will have to work and you can’t wing it. It’s very easy, in the quarter system to lose track of grades. You have to manage your time well, etc. It’s not easy, but if you have the credentials to get into this program, it’s definitely easier than the 4.5-4.6 that you had to get in high school. </p>
<p>Anyone got in this year??
If yes, post your stats please!</p>
<p>@radiantrobot @MedSchoolOrBust </p>
<p>I’ve heard many rumors that in order to be a competitive applicant for a bs/md program, it’s no longer enough to have done research, but you also need to present your research in some sort of national/international conference or publish that research in a nationally recognized journal. I know you touched on the topic of research briefly with @onlythebest13 but I was wondering in regards to the other bs/md programs you applied to, was published/presented research seen as a big deal?</p>
<p>@browneyedgirl13 - from the small research I have done on CC, there are some programs that give weightage to service/community service. But research publishing, research competition seems to carry highest weightage. After that research/wet-lab experience is good I believe. I will also look for what others have to say.</p>
<p>Do you also know what the matriculation rate is (i.e. how many students in this program successfully complete it?Thanks! </p>
<p>Also, how important would you say hospital volunteering is? I haven’t volunteered in any hospital (and I’m a rising senior) but I have volunteered for several medical-related nonprofit organizations. </p>
<p>Hello! I noticed that one of the students who was accepted during your year is a fencer. Would it be possible for you to post his/her stats as well as the following information if he or she was a competitive fencer throughout high school (sorry for the inconvenience):
(all during senior year in high school)
Weapon:
Letter rating:
National points ranking in Juniors/Cadet:
Additionally, did any of your fellow students participate in science fair (if so, what place did they get)? Would that be considered research? Also, do you think the topic of the research mattered (like did it have to deal with a medical topic)?</p>
<p>I apologize for the flood of questions; I’m pretty curious in case you couldn’t tell (:</p>
<p>Is there a college within UCSD (Revelle, John Muir, etc.) that most Med Scholars apply to? </p>
<p>Same questions as browneyedgirl13, which of the 6 colleges most med scholars are part of? do they all reside in the same building? or closer to school of med?</p>