<p>Hey guys, I'm new here. I'm in high school, and I'm syked about BS/MD programs! But there is ONE thing I have to know...what is it like? Of course there are the pros, cons, applications..but once you get in, what then? How much free time will you have? Will you have time to hang out with friends sometimes, go on vacation, visit family worry-free? I'm up to the challenge, so anyone who is in these programs or accepted (particularly the 6/7 year students) please fill me in.</p>
<p>Every program varies in its requirements and experiences. A lot of them mandate premed/biology classes and give you free electives outside of the ones for your major. The accelerated ones cut free electives and the number of classes in the major sometimes. You need to meet your GPA minimum, MCAT if needed, and ECs is required. Outside of that, it’s a normal college experience. A lot of students in the 7 year I asked said they felt 3 years of college was great, giving them the college experience while also being faster.</p>
<p>Ask yourself, why do you want accelerated program. there are bs/md’s that are 4+4. In non-accelerated program, you are like everybody else, any major is ok, all opportunities of college life are open, sports, minors, multiple majors, trips abroad, job, everything…and it might be cheaper at the end…if you get full tuition Merit award, for example. I am not sure if this type of award will cover your tuition in accelerated program as usually semester credit hours are much higher and you have to be at school in a summer. However, every program is different. You have to research each one that you are planning to apply. That definitely will include several visits, on-line research is very limited. Regular 4 years college is very benefitial. Gives you enough time to grow and have various very valuable life experiences. But again, it depends on person. My D. had choices. She choose non-accelerated over accelerated and had awesome 4 years in college. Her UG was tuition free and her bs/md allowed her to apply out while retaining her spot. She is 2nd year Med. Student at Med. School outside of her program (she was the only bs/md participant who applied out) that was her dream school way back in HS.<br>
It is important to figure your personal preferences and follow your own heart.</p>
<p>The biggest difference is you are not the lone gunfighter competing with all others for the limited number of "A"s, research spots, teacher recommendations etc. You are in a club where everyone helps each other since all completion is gone. You study together, eat and socialize together. if you are weak in one area, others in the group will help you and expect you to return the favor in your area of expertise.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago one of the group members’ mothers who is a chemist ,made organic chemistry lessons on youtube avaiable for the entire group the summer before since it is regarded as the hardest course in premed.</p>
<p>the med school upper classmen pass on their apartments to the recent college grads since they know them from the social events. </p>
<p>You will have as friends people seven years older and later younger as your collegues. </p>
<p>You will not have the prestige of an ivy unless you are at Brown but there is a lot more benefits including not having to take the MCATS.</p>
<p>How is the dating scene at these programs?</p>
<p>Considering you will be studying 6 1/2 days a week in these ba/md programs, dating will be the least of your worries.</p>
<p>Raycmr: that’s not true for all programs. As a current PLME, I spend about the same amount of time studying as any other science student at Brown, and definitely do enjoy my time here spending time with friends.</p>
<p>unlike some people, Ray, i actually care about a balance in life</p>
<p>Bruno, seeing as you actually attend one of these programs, from your observations, how common is dating within BS/MD programs?</p>
<p>Why would you expect to be studying 6 1/2 days a week? The GPA requirements are often less than what a regular premed has to try and achieve, plus your ECs are easier because you don’t need to cram a certain number of hours or experiences for your resume. </p>
<p>Some programs might require a 3.7 or 3.8, but plenty require a 3.5 and mine requires a 3.2. Even the students at Miami who have a 3.6 or 3.7 requirement said it wasn’t that difficult and they certainly had time for other things.</p>
<p>If you’re really going all out and spending 6.5 days on schoolwork and resume builders, you don’t need a program.</p>
<p>Dineroman:</p>
<p>Do you mean dating other people in the program, or dating in general? I don’t know many couples who are both PLMEs, but plenty of us are in relationships.</p>
<p>Is it possible that is different at different schools? I heard it was difficult to keep GPA over 3.5 at RPI</p>
<p>The work load varies greatly from program to program. Some semesters students at my D’s program take 3 science classes with labs at the same time plus 2 regular courses. Brown students average 30 credits a year premed while Yale averages 33 a year.</p>
<p>If you want to see your competitors in med school go to “Asians sleeping in the library”. You will find photos for nearly every college. If even you have a guaranteed M.S. admission this the competition for residencies in the U.S.</p>
<p>Bruno: thanks for your help, I meant dating in general</p>
<p>Ray: I don’t see how that’s related. Seems like you’re trying to justify your incorrect answer</p>
<p>What is PLME?</p>
<p>^Thanks for the link. I read about PLME, but I’m confused about the undergrad studies. What’s the difference between pre-med, and PLME?</p>
<p>Students in most of these programs could get into at least one of the lower tier ivy schools. They are mainly Val’s and Sals and are used to getting straight A’s in high school. Accordingly, they will continue that work ethic and continue to get 4.00’s in college not 3.2’s or 3.5’s . They are not minimalists and will do the same in med school . What will this work ethic get them? They will be the ones who get the desired residencies, fellowships etc. in thoses coveted hospitals and cities.</p>
<p>It is not a matter of a wrong answer. It is a matter of the more effort you put in the more you get out. There is plenty of time to find one’s signicant other. Where is it written you shouldn’t Marry a doctor?</p>
<p>LOL when did I imply I wanted to marry a doctor ray? Stop assuming things</p>
<p>Tons of kids slack off in college.</p>
<p>And why do you think dating is considered slacking off?</p>
<p>"The biggest difference is you are not the lone gunfighter competing with all others for the limited number of “A"s, research spots, teacher recommendations etc. You are in a club where everyone helps each other since all completion is gone. You study together, eat and socialize together.”
-Not at all the case in some programs. In some programs, students are totally integrated into general student body. Actually, they keep it low profile in regard to being in a program, so that other pre-meds are not turned off. They barely spend any time with their fellows in the program (if any at all), they compete for everything just like everybody else and they live and experience exactly the same as everybody else. They have any major(s)/minor(s) combo, Greek (if they want), sports, travel abroad, they arrange thier Research, they work, volunteer and date peole who they wish to date even outside of pre-med crowd. It really does not matter. The only thing that they have and others do not is guaranteed spot at one Med. School if they meet requirements which are much lower than for people outside of program. Requirement could be 3.45/27 as an example. You are pretty much shut off of Med. School if you have it that low going Regular Route.<br>
It is wise to apply to wide range of programs so that you have choices as bs/md programs are very different.</p>
<p>My D’S experience is 75 percent hang together. They are not allowed to ID themselves in anyway unless asked by other students. No med school tees or hats Etc.</p>
<p>Their required gpa now matches outside applicants with the benefit being no MCATs. The normal pressure is off. They act in concert by choice. They have different minors, foreign trips, research but they have socials together with upper and lower classmen, med school members also.</p>