Hi everybody,
I have been accepted to BU SMED (with no scholarship/fin aid) and Rice Undergrad (where I have a $32 K scholarship per year and a guaranteed research opportunity for 4 years). I was really aiming for the Rice/Baylor program and even got the interview, but was waitlisted as of today.
Now, given my current options of BU SMED and Rice UG I’m having a lot of difficulties deciding between these programs.
I’ve visited Rice twice and stayed for Owl Days overnight, and love love love Rice and Houston and the Texas Medical Center!! I’m also from the West Coast so weather wise its great + I have friends and family there so it will be a smooth transition. On the flip side, I would have to work very hard in undergrad and apply to med schools all over again, although I would probably aim for a Texas Med school which is much easier as I will be a Texas resident.
But, I have worked very hard in high school to get into a BS/MD program so truthfully I can avoid a stressful undergraduate experience! The BU SMED is a great program, but am nervous about the huge switch in the environment and if it is still very stressful/difficult? Also no scholarships 
but my parents are willing to put forth the cost and pay everything up to the end of med school, so cost isn’t a big factor.
However, from what I can tell from talking with other students, BU undergrad implements a lot of grade deflation, making it difficult to maintain the 3.2 GPA for the program. I’m a little worried that I’ll have to focus a ton of studying and won’t even have enough time to participate in other extracurricular activities and have much of a social life.
I’d appreciate any advice that you guys would be willing to give and as soon as possible as I have to make a decision fast!! Thanks so much!