Columbia vs. RPI/AMC

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
1

<p>Hi Everyone!</p>

<p>So as the title says, I have been both blessed with (and trouble by) acceptances to both BS/MD and Ivy League Schools.</p>

<p>I have narrowed the list down to Columbia University (SEAS) and RPI/AMC Physician Scientist 7 Yr Program.</p>

<p>After much contemplation I am in a complete deadlock in what to pick. My heart says Columbia but my brain says RPI/AMC. Many have told me just follow my heart, but unfortunately I’m not one to jump into anything without analyzing everything. I know that I don’t want to be here four years from now regretting whatever decision I may make.</p>

<p>For me Columbia was a dream school: the idea of the core classes and liberal arts curriculum combined with the engineering curriculum is so exciting to me. That combined with the numerous research opportunities and the beauty and opportunity of New York City is clearly unparalleled. I know it may not be a HYP, but it still provides an amazing education. I fell in love with the place when I visited campus and the people whom I met there were not only ambitious and exciting but friendly, inspiring and matched my personality well. I felt like I fit in right away. The problem however lies, in my deep desire to become a physician. I know that many are pre-med majors and have heard there is about 90% med school placement within the University. However, as a SEAS member I am scared that I will be a victim of grade deflation and pre-med competition. This along with the stress of MCAT (and the fact it is changing in 2015-yikes!) as well as the fretting over grades especially in the tedious and difficult BME department scares me a bit. I am afraid that I will come out with that typical 4 year undergrad experience (plus stress) and not get into med school. I have heard many horror stories about that. So in this way Columbia seems to be my dream undergraduate education, with unlimited opportunity, but with the high risk of trouble in terms of my ultimate career goals. In addition, Columbia has provided me with some distinction which allows me to network well as well as do special research projects etc which is exciting, however monetarily they were unable to provide me with anything (my parents would have almost enough to fund me through undergrad but med school would be on me).</p>

<p>RPI/AMC's ideology, on the other hand, seems wonderful: 3 years undergrad, no MCAT and admission the Albany Medical College as long as we keep a 3.5 GPA. It holds the security of my dream job and undergrad wise RPI has given me 50% tuition. I know many times science majors label themselves superficially as pre-med majors or are pushed by elders but I would like to make it clear that this is completely my decision. It has been my dream since I was about 11 to 12 years old to be a doctor and am about 99% sure that I would like to be one. The seven year program seems like the perfect solution, allowing me to graduate with an MD with a distinction in research, however, the undergraduate portion scares me a bit. I visited RPI recently, and Troy did not exactly seem like an exciting place. In addition, the people whom I met were not similar to me personality wise and there was an overall depressing feeling that I received from many of the students which scared me a bit. I am not sure how good my undergrad experience there would be. I know many will say if I want to be a doctor this shouldn't matter, but please realize that I am still a teenager and these are the years we should be able to enjoy as a college experience as and look back on fondly. I did feel however as though Greek Life dominated much of the social scene. You were either greek and had a life or were more of a home body staying in your dorms most of the time studying. Both of these environments are not what I like. I am not a fan of Greek life and partying too much, nor am I one who likes to study all day long. It felt like there was little balance between the two and the location of the school helped very little. I know many people say that the friendships you make in college last long, and I am scared that I am not going to fit in at the school and have the experience possible at Columbia. At the same time I am also a bit worried about AMC. I have heard that many students get placed into great residencies specifically from the RPI/AMC program (as they are usually at the top of their AMC class). Is AMC a good med school-does it matter what med school on goes to? I know many say it is the residency that counts but honestly is that true?</p>

<p>I am scared that by going to the program I may be locking myself into one school for 7 years when there were other opportunities I may be missing. At the same time I am scared If I go to Columbia, the opportunities will be present, but then the dream of medicine may be gone.</p>

<p>What are your opinions-please try to be polite. This past few weeks have been very difficult while pondering this decision, and the May 1st deadline is coming soon :/</p>

<p>Has anyone else been in this situation who would like to advise? What was your thinking process? What did you choose to do?</p>

<p>Also, which regular 4 yr undergrads would you consider over a BS/MD? </p>

<p>Do people consider the RPI/AMC to be a good program-is it well known/prestigious with good results?</p>

<p>Do you feel that these programs may limit opportunities I may have otherwise? Please let me know.</p>

<p>Sorry that it is so long. And thanks- Appreciate the Help!</p>

2

<p>“I visited RPI recently, and Troy did not exactly seem like an exciting place. In addition, the people whom I met were not similar to me personality wise and there was an overall depressing feeling that I received from many of the students which scared me a bit.”—This pretty much tells you everything about your decision, although the instinct may not always correct, usually they are. If you are really persistent for your dream to become a physician, I don’t see why Columbia is not the path to reach.</p>

3

<p>AMC is ranked pretty low for a med school and RPI really doesn’t compare to Columbia. Taking Columbia means you need to work hard for another 4 years but you have a good chance to got into a better med school and enjoy UG more</p>

4

<p>Almost sounds like the 4 year experience is more important than medicine especially since you have a chance to get to medicine through Columbia. Scary decision. 90% going on to medicine from Columbia is not the same as 90% elsewhere because pre-selection has already been done in getting into the UG already. Is that 90% of all pre-meds or only the ones who are allowed to apply?</p>

<p>You definitely will not be getting the core type classes at RPI. If you are miserable though, you may risk maintaining the 3.5 there.</p>

<p>We have read so many posts about students being happy at RPI but that was not too obvious when we visited either but those visit days are so superficial.</p>

<p>BTW RPI does not participate in the ranking so we really don’t know its true ranking. Do all the students get their top match at top ranked med schools? I don’t know. But I would imagine that statistically it’s always the top quartile students get top matches and we already know RPI students are in that group at AMC.</p>

<p>If you like PM me as I have had contact with students at AMC now from RPI and you can contact them.</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision and what’s a fit for someone else might not be for you. Either way you are in a good situation, congratulations.</p>

5

<p>If you are absolutely sure, you want to go to med school, then I would choose RPI and the med program. Not having to worry about med school acceptances or the MCAT is a huge advantage. RPI is a solid school, made even more solid on your resume by the fact you were accepted into probably its most competitive program.</p>

6

<p>US News Rankings of the med school and its residency match list can give you a decent picture</p>

7

<p>This is a tough decision but I am almost sure of the fact that you’d be happy with whatever route you take. I completely understand how you feel about this decision- wanting the fun of columbia but the guarantee of you future. In this case I say go with your heart and go to columbia because going does not preclude you from ending up at med school, while giving you a lot more fun and more opportunities. Also, rpi albany is not that great of a program compared to some others so it wouldn’t be much of a trade off. Best of luck in making your decision!</p>

8

<p>The standards to get accredited as a medical school are very high (much more so than law school). As a result, there are no bad medical schools. Furthermore, the key to getting the best practice opportunities is residency and not medical school and under the match system good students from most medical schools have a solid choice at getting their first or second residency options. So, go with the RPI/AMC option and enjoy your college years without all of the pressure hanging over your head.</p>

9

<p>Just curious, what were some of your other choices?</p>

10

<p>I think RPI is the obvious option if you are set on becoming a doctor. Dont go by medical school acceptance rates stats that Columbia and other schools provide - these are subject to interpretation - see other posts on this topic. Besides as you said as a SEAS you will have a significantly higher bar. Do not go by US News rankings for medical schools - they are worthless for medical schools because it is not meaningful, and also Albany has chosen not to be ranked. Clinical experience is what counts and as the primary trauma center for upstate NY, parts of Canada and MA, you will get that in Albany. Speak to doctors and they will tell you what matters is the residency, not college and as you said for top students residency match opportunities are good regardless of school. FWIW, my D had a similar choice and chose Union/Albany LIM.</p>

11

<p>So time’s up! What did you end up deciding? I don’t know why I am so curious.</p>

12

<p>After agonising over the weekend, I am going with my “heart” to Columbia. This will give me a chance to confirm my decision to be a doctor inspite of the process of pre-med pains. It was a close decision but time to move on. Thanks for all the advice from all of you.</p>

13

<p>Any combined bs/md…</p>

14

<p>Congratulations - going with your heart was probably the best thing for you and peace of mind. You would probably be successful no matter where you go.</p>

<p>I thought you were the one we met at Albany Med College who also had to decide between RPI and Columbia but that person contacted us and told us that they chose RPI. There is no one correct answer. Congrats to all.</p>