Guidance to 2011-2012 BS/MD appicants

<p>wait um i dont understand when u say the more u apply to programs, the better the chances are with RPI/AMC… what do u mean? meaning like applying to other colleges besides this program?
i know there a few programs involved like sienna or something. u mean like that?</p>

<p>bump bump … anyone else out there giving advice</p>

<p>Need suggestions…My D has been accepted to the Villanova BS/MD program and Drexel Biology (not BS/MD) and we’re trying to decide where she should go. Drexel offers her 4 years tuition free scholarships, while Villanova’s scholarship covers only portions of the tuition. Does it worth to go to Villanova/Drexel with the assurances to medical school or to Drexel free tuition but apply to med school after? She is okay to both schools but likes the Drexel co-op. Does Drexel co-op really arrange kids to intern in a good company? Please share your thought. Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Definitely go with Villanova BS/MD over Drexel bio major if it is financially feasible and especially if she has some scholarships there as well. I’m sure there are students turning down much much stronger undergrads than Drexel to go to a bs/md program like Villanova. Unless your D absolutely loves Drexel + you are saving a TON of money, it doesn’t make sense to go to a 2nd or 3rd tier college like Drexel over a bs/md program at Villanova IMO.</p>

<p>For future Ba MD applicants, I recommend reading this thread : <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1080294-official-usc-class-2015-bacc-md-hopefuls.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1080294-official-usc-class-2015-bacc-md-hopefuls.html&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>** Stats and Objective Data **
SAT I (breakdown): 2250 CR:700 Math: 800 Writing: 750
ACT: 34
SAT II: Math 800 Chem 770
Weighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.65/4.00
Unweighted GPA: 3.99/4.00
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/600
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB, Calc BC, Chemistry, US history, World history, English, Literature, Physics
Senior Year Course Load: a nice balance of APs and electives</p>

<p>** Subjective Data **
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Tennis Captain, CIF, My company, Real Estate, Founded a board game club, Top company in international business simulation game, Extensive doctor shadowing
Job/Work Experience: Tennis coaching, math tutoring, Grader for professor
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at local hospital, Tennis head assistant coach
Summer Activities: Tennis Head assistant coach, Went abroad to help in a Medical clinic</p>

<p>Applied to only one medical program: USC Bac MD (Accepted) </p>

<p>Comments: I only applied to the USC Bac MD program because it is the perfect fit for me in terms of location, proximity, cost, fit, weather, great UG etc. USC is an up and rising UG and Keck is a solid medical school, and I was completely stoked when they accepted me!</p>

<p>Just for reference, I got accepted to MIT, Upenn Wharton, Berkeley, UCLA among others. Firstly, I would say that the USC medical program is unique. While other BA/BS MD programs usually want more “traditional” applicants with a plethora of medical experience, research and shadowing (such as HPME, PLME, Rice/Baylor and UCSD), USC Bac MD wants people with more diverse interests. Each year there are hundreds of applicants with “perfect stats” who are rejected without interview. Although this may seem like a crapshoot (and it may very well be), it seems that that USC wants people who are “interesting enough” to be invited to an interview. </p>

<p>Once the major cut is made and roughly 100 stellar candidates are selected for interview, know that your stats do not matter anymore. The committee is looking for personality, maturity, commitment, uniqueness (and all the other good qualities of a doctor). At the interview point, I would say what matters most is your “selling point.” Personally I know many VERY qualified applicants and people with AMAZING stats and who, unfortunately, have been rejected. Mathematically, if you make it to the interview stage, you do have a high chance of admission 33%. But, you have to keep in mind that the committee still has to narrow the pool down by 67%! So, your job is to really STAND OUT! Really soon during the interview day, you will find that the people surrounding you are ALL qualified people. Everyone has stellar GPAs, ECs, recs, experiences and more. And after USC’s Keck tour you will figure out that you [REALLY] want to be in the program. So, success or bust in the interview (trust me: it will make or break you).</p>

<p>Overall, my interview went really well. I had a panel of three: one medical student, Keck Doctor and Advisor. They try their best to make you relax in the beginning of the interview. For me, the first thing they asked was, “What were you doing while you were waiting just now?” Then they took some questions from what they thought was most interesting about my application (for me, my real estate). I was not asked any tough questions or any current events, though I talked extensively about how I became passionate about medicine. Although I have the “normal” hours of hospital volunteer, sports and shadowing, I think my selling point was my solid background in business and how I tied it to my passion for medicine. I admit that my outgoing personality and confident posture really helped me during the interview. I noticed there there were some people in the group that were more confident and articulate than others, and I think it really played a large role in the results.</p>

<p>This year there were close to a thousand applicants for the USC Bac MD program, approximately 100 interviewed and one third accepted. Again, this program is highly selective and usually select Ivy caliber (and top university) students. My best advise is to prepare for the interview once you get the interview letter. I admit that I spent hours in front of the mirror and practicing in “mock interviews”. Be able to clearly and logically ARTICULATE your passion for medicine and show them your best. Be interesting, be able to tell and SUBSTANTIATE interesting stories. But most importantly, be yourself and show them your passion and your unique experiences! </p>

<p>Best of luck to future applicants! I am now open to cross-examination and further points of clarification :)</p>

<p>Age isn’t a big deal. I graduated medical school at 22 yo, via the traditional route (14-18 UG and med sch (18-22). Fours years together, you get to know your classmates really well.</p>

<p>Impressive stats everyone! I was wondering if you apply to the same medicial school programs but different undergrad schools…will it interfere with your acceptance for example if you apply to all three: RPI/AMC, Union/AMC, Siena/AMC…because they have different criteria and viewpoints and you may seem to be contradicting yourself at the interviews… Same thing goes for Villanova/Drexel, Lehigh/Drexel, and Drexel/Drexel.</p>

<p>I would love to get your insight on this matter…Thanks CCers=)</p>

<p>for most, it doesn’t matter. Once you get an interview with the med school, they either want you or they don’t. I got into two programs at the same school (one was more selective than the other) and they never seemed to even know i interviewed through both. The drexel programs you have better chances applying through multiple undergrads as long as you meet the req’s (ONLY APPLY THROUGH SCHOOLS YOU WOULD GO TO). As far as I know, AMC programs it doesn’t matter either. Like I said, if the med school likes you, they’ll take you through whatever program as long as the undergrad school wants you as well. </p>

<p>Note: If you’re an NJ resident applying to UMDNJ progs, it is not advantageous at all to apply through multiple schools cause all apps are reviewed by UMDNJ apparently before you’re invited to interview by respective schools</p>

<p>wow…i feel like im not gonna get into anywhere with my one sitting of 2180 (740 M, 730 CR, 710 W) or superscore of 2220 (780 math, 730 CR, 710 writing)</p>

<p>If I can get in with a 2110 then so can you!! Don’t worry at all :D</p>

<p>My UMDNJ interviewer also told me that the UG doesn’t matter as long as they decide to forward your app to the medical school, since a borderline candidate might not be forwarded even if the med school would have then said yes. So apply to 2-3 for slightly better odds in that regard</p>

<p>I got the interview for BU’s 7 year program. Please advice.
Appreciate very much in advance for all of your advice
Thank you</p>

<p>@debrax congrat, BU call you or e mail to you, pl share your stat ? thanks</p>

<p>best advice for BU is to be yourself… the interviewer knows everything about you from your application, and will ask you about anything they want to know more about. Be prepared to not only elaborate on application materials (teacher recs, grades, clubs/activities) but also to build upon why this all makes you the best fit for BU and the med program. my interviewer asked me about one of the classes I didn’t do too hot in, and I was able to explain the circumstances. He also asked me what I did to get such outstanding recommendations and actually read parts that he had highlighted. I know everyone has different interviewers, but that was my experience. I would say BU puts together a great presentation and really does use the interview to separate out who is capable of doing the program as opposed to who is fit for the program. They know coming in that your recs, grades, and activities make you suitable, now you have to show them your personality and will-power! Good luck! Also, those of you who haven’t heard back, don’t fear! I got my call for an interview in late January/early February I believe, and had a great interview and was still accepted into the program although I opted for a different one.</p>

<p>I just got accepted for an interview for RPI/AMC. Any advice now how to prepare or any topics I should be familiar with?</p>

<p>Hi I just got an interview for SBU/GWU, do you by any chance have any tips/questions that I should expect. Also how should I prepare for this interview?</p>