<p>Okay, so my plan after college is to apply for a MD-PHD program, preferrably at Stanford. That being said, would it be better if I did the normal college thing and simply took the pre-med courses and majored in whatever I want, or should I apply to a pre-med program? Is the pre-med program geared toward only MD's? What's the point of a pre-med program?</p>
<p>On that note, when people talk about pre-med programs, they're talking about a specific program that only a few schools have; this program is the same as any regular undergraduate college except it's more geared towards med.</p>
<p>What are the pros and cons?</p>
<p>Are 7 year med programs similar to a pre-med program? What's the difference?</p>
<p>Thanks for any and all help =].</p>
<p>By the way, if this is the wrong section, please let me know.</p>
<p>Most of your questions are answered in the FAQs. But in a quick answer, pre-med isn’t a program, it’s just the fulfillment of general medical school pre-reqs, and this can be done at any university. Definitely read the stickied notes, which will fill you in on Pre-Med 101.</p>
<p>You’re getting way way way ahead of yourself. If you aren’t in college yet, there’s no way that you can already know you want a PhD. PhDs are for people who are really serious about research and about focusing on a specific area. It’s grueling and long and definitely not for everyone, and to get into the programs takes stellar stats and amazing research experience. And having a “preferred” med school as a pre-college student is pretty ridiculous… you just have no idea what the program/school will actually be like, nor do you know how crazy it is to get in there. A good place to start for someone who has an interest in harder science as well as medicine would be to take a general bio and chem class and see where things go from there.</p>
<p>You must have interpreted my question wrong then. I’ve looked at the FAQs as well as all the “Important” topics. I’m well aware that pre-med isn’t a major, but there are pre-med programs, if you’re not aware.</p>
<p>but i think what you might be referring to “bs-md guaranteed med programs” as “premed programs”
in which case they are generally geared to you getting an MD. But once you are in med school, you can also apply for phd program through the school (but i dont think it covers your med school tuition).</p>
<p>The md/phd MSTP programs (which i think is the thing you want to apply for) is super competitive and covers your school tuition</p>
<p>As mentioned in there, it makes it sound as if there is an actual premed program. I guess I’m still not sure - are there “premed programs” at such colleges as WUSTL? Or do people mean that colleges have good classes/teachers in the premed req fields?</p>
<p>Madamebovary, the “bs-md guaranteed med programs” aren’t what I’m talking about. These are the 7-year medical programs, correct? If that’s the case, I wouldn’t be able to take part in these programs because I’m looking to take part in MSTP programs, which is a 7 year program after undergraduate school, if I’m not mistaken.</p>
<p>There are pre-med programs at most schools, meaning that there is an office dedicated to pre-health advising and resources that will offer you options on how to build your resume, get involved, etc etc.</p>
<p>I’d also like to add that, while MD/PhD programs claim to be 7 years, research doesn’t have a class schedule so don’t be surprised if it takes longer.</p>
<p>So as a student that will be fulfilling the premed reqs, I don’t need to worry about applying to any “special programs,” just the normal college applications right? [Given that I’m not applying for the BS-MD Guaranteed Programs (7-year programs)]</p>
<p>Just adding one more voice to the choir, you only need the coursework, there’s no distinct “premed program” to complete in order to apply to Med school, MD/PhD or otherwise.</p>