<p>Hello everyone,
I know it's almost 11:30 but I'll probably bump this tomorrow.
Anyway, I was searching up accelerated BA/MD programs and came across GWU's program. I have no information on this school. Does anyone know how good of a school this is?
I am applying to Sophie Davis CCNY, Brooklyn BA/MD Brooklyn College, and Drexel Ba/BS/MD program and maybe BU's med program as well. Anyone know how good of a program they offer in light of sophie and brooklyn?
Anyone who's went, been through this tedious process, or has some inside scoop, please drop a line of advice! Thank you!</p>
<p>Because D wants to attend medical school, I took a quick look at BS/MD programs, but quickly concluded the downside considerably outweighed the upside. Here’s why:</p>
<p>Upside:
- One application and you’re in, all the way through medical school. No MCAT, no application fees, no wondering where you’ll get in.</p>
<p>Downside:
- You have to go to the medical school you got into for undergrad. No change of scenery, no different part of the country, you are locked in. For eight years.
- Almost all the prestigious medical programs, and even most of the lesser ranked ones are off limits because they don’t offer BS/BA programs.
- Competition is fierce. You have to be a god to get into the better ones, and do you really want to be as good as you have to be to get into even the lesser ones and wind up at a lesser medical school? You could do better waiting for four years.
- Who you will be at 22 is not who you are at 18. A lot can change between then and now, including not going to medical school. Sure, you can decline to attend medical school, but odds are, you then compromised your undergrad degree for nothing.
- No MCATs, but the pressure is still on to maintain a certain minimum set of grades. It’s not as pressure free as they would have you believe.
- Perhaps you decide you want to specialize in some area during your four years and the medical school your are now bound to doesn’t offer it or is not renowned for it. Maybe you’re tied to a school known for primary care and you decide you want to head into research - your only choice will be to give up your slot that you fought and compromised to get.
- If you’re in a compressed program, no summers off, no study abroad, and incredible class loads. Burn out!</p>
<p>In the end, D and I decided the odds were too slim, the choices too limited, and the compromises too great to go down that route. It’s great for a very limited number of people, but you really have to understand what you’re getting into.</p>
1 Like
<p>BUMP 10 char</p>
<p>The guarantee is great and one can use that peace of mind to generate an impressive UG record of GPA/Rank and EC’s so that one COULD take MCATs, do extraordinarily well AND apply OUT to a more prestigious med school, should one find that an attractive option. Nothing is written in stone if one is both BOLD and ACCOMPLISHED enough to rock the boat. There is ONLY upside if you look at the options unless one is NOT happy with the underbarduate program.</p>
<p>MrMOM,</p>
<p>Sounds like you have done plenty research with your D on this BS/MD path.</p>
<p>I differ on a few points on your concluded downsides,
1, there are a quite few programs involved change of scenery, totally different settings.
2 & 3, I assume your “lesser” medical schools is based off those well-published rankings, come back in 4 years, ask your D if getting into those “high” ranked meds is still her goal.
4 & 5, agreed.
6, legitimate concern, though as tropixx pointed out, you can apply out to research-focused school, assuming by that time you already have the grades and strong lab experience.
7, untrue, study abroad will be easier to arrange than the traditional pre-med who has to carefully schedule pre-req, secure recommendation, etc.</p>
<p>I believe your #4 is the only strong point against the program, and you missed the cost part as another downside. Typically the undergrad part of these program are not favorable financially to the students.</p>
<p>I believe many of the private school combined programs work well if the parents are willing to pay for a big chunk of the education. Otherwise, students end up with large debts at the end of 8 years.</p>
<p>I am in the GW program now, and I both agree and disagree with a lot of the point brought up in this thread. First, I have studied abroad and had an amazing experience but likely because I brought in a lot of AP credit. Second, the 7 years in one place thing is valid. If you do not love/know that you want to be in DC and at GWU for 7 years, this is not the right choice. Go the traditional route, or to a school that has a program that you do love. Third, the GPA requirement is very reasonable, considering it is the average GPA of the accepted GW Med applicant. Last, the 15k scholarship helps to make the tuition manageable, but as texaspg said, only if you have some form of help from either your parents or GW financial aid (which is very good) during your undergrad years. In the end, work hard, have fun, and all that matters in the end is that you do very well and learn as much as you can no matter where you go.</p>
<p>How expensive is the program for you? What other options did you have that you chose GWU over?</p>
<p>Bump 10 char</p>
<p>“the 15k scholarship helps to make the tuition manageable”</p>
<p>15K scholarship is for UG, Medical School or all 7 years? Any link please?</p>
<p>Hey Guys, Where do I find the application for this and how do I apply? I can’t seem to find it on their website. Is it a separate app or through commonapp or what. Help! xD</p>
<p>Would it improve or hurt my GW med interview chances if I apply to both SBU/GW med and GWU/GW med instead of applying to either one alone? Will I get one interview or two interviews if I am qualified?</p>
<p>@bamd2014, I believe deadline was December 1st</p>
<p>My question to topher14. My D got admission to the GW BA/MD program. She took only two AP courses. She is worried that it would be difficult for her yo finish all the requirements in three years. Do you think it wll be tough for her to get BA in three years?</p>
<p>With 2 AP courses, she may get credit or 3-6 hours each. So she may need 114 or 108 credits over 3 years. Each semester could be 15-17 credits…let us say 16 which will be 16 X 6 = 96 credits. Shortfall is 18 or 6 credits. These could be completed during the summer or I believe at another college with permission.</p>