Give up BS/MD to go to Dartmouth?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
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<p>I am a graduating High School senior and I have been accepted to Dartmouth College and a combined BS/MD program-UIC College of Medicine GPPA program. I am having trouble deciding. Please share your thoughts on what you would do in my situation.</p>

<p>Dartmouth:
Pros:
I think I would enjoy the undergraduate experience much more than UIC. I may go into academic medicine, so the Ivy League brand may be helpful.
Cons:
No guarantee that I will get into any medical school. Will have to work hard to get high GPA, high MCAT and stand out ECs. UG will cost about $250k.</p>

<p>UIC GPPA:
Pros:
Guaranteed spot in UIC medical school, if I keep a GPA of 3.5 and get an MCAT of 31(tree tries allowed). Can apply to other medical schools and keep UIC Med as a backup. Finish UG in three years using AP credit. Will probably get merit aid and UG cost will be much less than Dartmouth. - as little as $75k if I do it in three years.</p>

<p>Cons:
Probably will not enjoy UIC undergraduate experience as much as Dartmouth. This is an undergrad that I would never consider if it was not for the Medical School Guarantee.</p>

<p>Dartmouth is supposed to have 85% acceptance rate, but that includes people who spend time after graduation improving their applications. I have heard that 80% of Dartmouth applicants do not apply to medical school until the end of their fourth year, which means they take a GAP year.</p>

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<p>It all depends on your goal and available financial resources. If you can afford to attend Dartmouth, I don’t see any problem you get into medical school as you would do for the BS/MD program. It will take longer time and more money, but the experience would be completely different. If your goal is simply being a doctor, then the BS/MD program is good for you and serve the purpose. If your goal is more than being a doctor, then Dartmouth will provide you the opportunities, it is only opportunity. Willing to take the risk is part of the experience.</p>

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<p>This is a huge con IMO. Dartmouth is a great school, but if you really want to be a doctor it would be foolish to throw away a guaranteed acceptance at US medical school.</p>

<p>Take the bird in hand and forget about the two in the bush. Or to use a different metaphor, lightning may not strike twice.</p>