Benefits of different bs/md programs?

<p>From what I understand, there are some bs/md programs that just give you early admittance into med school and thats it. They let you major in whatever and really don't give you exposure to medicine or the sciences in your undergrad years. Others, like i think UMKC, expose you to medicine early on. I don't think there's really a benefit in JUST getting early med school admission. I need more. Which schools give you more? Which one's don't?</p>

<p>well the fact that you're guaranteed admission and (in most cases) exempt from taking the MCAT ought to be a big enough benefit. Taking the MCAT/applying to med school is a very strenuous part of the undergrad experience for traditional premeds. It takes up a lot of time, and many times forces students to not get the most out of the college experience. With a guaranteed spot, the pressure is off and you can take more classes that you want to take, not just ones that you think you need to take. And of course, many of these programs treat their bs/md students like kings, giving them special privileges for research projects/mentorships etc.</p>

<p>Just getting med school admission is great enough.</p>

<p>All you need to do is maintain a certain GPA (as opposed to aiming for the 4.0), achieve a certain MCAT score (as opposed to aiming as high as possible), and being oh-so-relaxed during your final year in college (as opposed to running all over the country for interviews)</p>

<p>Well, you have to compare different things. Like the length of the program. Some bs/md programs are 6yrs. while others are 8yrs. The one at Howard University is 6yrs. See if you have to take the MCAT. Some programs require you to still take the MCAT, but others waive it. Then look at if you have to take any special courses or something. Like at Howard, you have to take summer classes.</p>

<p>Personally I think Casewestern and Northwestern offer their combined med students with the most options. At Case, 8 yrs, students are eligible for scholarships (unique), may major in any field of their choice after being accepted(Engineerng, Communications, Arts), there is no MCAT requirement, and because it is 8 years, students have a full college experience. </p>

<p>Similar to Case, Northwestern allows their students to do as they like. At HPME (7yrs), however, you must decide whether to go to the school of Engineering, the School of Arts and Sciences, or the School of Communications before attending. Northwestern also does not have an MCAT requirement or a rediculously high GPA requirement (3.2). Perhaps the most important aspect of Northwestern is location; the undergraduate college is in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, and the medical school is actually in downtown Chicago. Needless to say, there is always something fun to do.</p>

<p>What I find most interesting about both schools though is the fact that students are not bound to attend the ajoining medical schools. Students, as seniors, can decide to opt out of their garunteed admission to a top 20 medical school, take the MCAT, and apply elsewhere. </p>

<p>Northwestern and Casewestern offer their students complete academic and recreational freedom (short of the med school required classes) without having to worry about getting spectacular grades, doing extensive research, and dealing with the stresses of applying.</p>