bs/md program vs top colleges

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
1

<p>So, I am stuck in a tough decision between a bs/md program and harvard, stanford, and MIT. I have made pros and cons for each and am thinking really hard about it right now. Ultimately, my life goal is to become a doctor, politician, businessman, live a happy life, and better the society for myself and others. I don't want to work so hard to the point of burning out, but I want to be challenged to grow. My work ethic sucks right now, but I think college will be a great time to really "find" myself and figure out my real strengths and weaknesses.</p>

<p>I am not extremely bright, but am fairly smart and have the potential to do much more by working hard. Academics was definitely not my STRONGEST point in high school (33 ACT, nothing big). So, please take that into consideration: I am no math, science genius. I work hard, but really love to get involved with stuff besides academics, although I am seeing I will have to switch up my gears a bit for college.</p>

<p>The BS/MD program is a 8-year program at Union College with Albany Medical College.</p>

<p>Requirements of the program:</p>

<p>-Maintain3.5 GPA every trimester. If unable to, student will be placed on probation for 2 trimesters and failure to bring it up with remove student from program.
-MUST major in Biology or Chemistry.
-MUST also do an interdepartmental major in the humanities or social sciences.
-MUST do a masters in science or MBA in the summer after sophomore and junior years through Union Graduate School. (Financial aid will cover MS courses).
-MUST go on a term abroad.</p>

<p>-NO MCAT required (I feel this is pretty big)
-cannot apply out of the program without losing medical school seat.</p>

<p>-I will be in about 20K - 30K in debt after graduating from Union College, assuming I get no other outside scholarships (which I might, so maybe the debt will be around 20K)</p>

<p>HARVARD or MIT, Stanford</p>

<p>-Awesome opportunities</p>

<p>-Even though I am 99% set on medicine, it will allow me to pursue my other passions like politics and business to a larger extent. Union College will allow me to do the same, but at Harvard there will be more internship opportunities.</p>

<p>-I will not have to major in Bio or Chem unlike at Union College (even tho I am probably going to major in Chem).</p>

<p>-I will have the true college experienece in a lively city.</p>

<p>-I liked the campus, but didn't LOVE it.</p>

<p>-90% of premeds get into medical school..</p>

<p>-If I decide to take some time off between med school and undergrad, I can expect to land great jobs and make a true difference in society.</p>

<p>-Practically Full Ride (cost me 2K a year)</p>

<p>Im in need of some advice from fellow high school, college, and medical students, even doctors etc.....</p>

<p>Should I take a guaranteed acceptance to Albany Medical College or go to one of the top colleges (Harvard, Stanford or MIT) and pursue pre-med, explore interests, have fun, learn to live, live to grow and thrive, and work as hard as I can to make it into "a" medical school (note: I aim to only get into a medical school, I dont care about getting into top 10 med school).</p>

<p>I feel like I will have a ton of stress at Harvard or Stanford, MIT, but less so at Union BS/MS/MD. I will know that I am already into medical school. But then again, I dont want to be in 20K debt when I can go somewhere amazing for free.........so, I am very stuck and since you pre-meds are/have gone through this, please give me some advice.</p>

2

<p>Based on your own eloquently put feelings and description of yourself in your post, I think you’ve answered your own question quite clearly. Your reasoning is very mature and well thought out, and very rational. Pick one of the top colleges: Harvard, Stanford, or MIT.</p>

3

<p>bumpppp…any more thoughts?</p>

4

<p>Go to Harvard. Don’t sell yourself short.</p>

5

<p>If you were good enough to get into Harvard, you will get into medical school through the normal route, unless you slack off big time. If you slack off at a BS/MD program, you will get kicked out of the program. You are not losing much by going to Harvard.</p>

<p>Do not blow this opportunity. Go to Harvard! If you do not, you will regret it. Just take the minimum premed requirements, and major in what interests you. You will have lifetime bragging rights, your kids will have a better shot at Harvard and you will command a lot of respect.</p>

6

<p>have you been accepted to all that you have listed?</p>

<p>if so, go to the cheapest place that fits your personality the best. You will find challenges everywhere and you will have to work very hard everywhere. you will not be able to admit that ''My work ethic sucks right now", because you will be out of anywhere before you say this sentence. So go to place that will make your happy and be prepared to work very hard. if you care to know - my D is in combined program and very happy with her choice. She did not care to apply to elite colleges. But it was her choice, you have to decide for yourself. Best of luck!</p>

7

<p>go to Harvard or Standford or MIT. Choose between those schools. Clearly you have an inclination towards those schools. Also, from those 3 schools pick the one you feel most at home at. All three will give you lifelong respect, lifelong feeling of success/accomplishment, and a lifelong strong alumni network. So, that aspect doesn’t matter.</p>

<p>It should be down to which school you like most. And paying 2K a year for a degree from HSM…are you serious?! Do doubter. Pick one of those 3 and you won’t regret it.</p>

8

<p>Average credentials of students admitted to BS/MD programs are typically higher than an average general freshman credential to MIT, Harvard and other top/ivy schools.
Cheers
(…For an average student, the school matters whereas for brilliant students, only the student matters…)</p>