<p>Hello, I have been doing research on the Howard University BS/MD program.... and it looks like a really great fit for me. The part that makes me the most attracted to it is if I get accepted,(based on SAT & GPA) I would have full tution paid for the first 4 years of the 6 year program. However, I'm weary about it because of the reviews I've seen any hbcus. Is the education quality good there? I want to be challenged in college, and I feel like I really would be especially since this is such an accelerated program, but I'd like oponions on the matter. </p>
<p>Another option I've been looking at is the Health Science Honors program at UT. This program provides many research opportunities for students, and provides many oppurtunities to prepare students for medical school. </p>
<p>My main dilema is picking between a full ride to an "okay" program, or going to a competitive one with not a lot of financial aid.</p>
<p>My sister is a freshman at Howard doing the 6 year program.</p>
<p>All MD medical schools in the US are considered elite. So going into Howard’s six year MD program, particularly at a substantial discount (probably around $130,000 total if the first four years are covered by a full ride), is extremely attractive if your goal is an MD. Note, however, that you must maintain specified college GPA minimums and meet an MCAT minimum to continue to the MD program, according to <a href=“http://www.healthsciences.howard.edu/education/schools-and-academics/medicine/education/programs/dual-degree”>http://www.healthsciences.howard.edu/education/schools-and-academics/medicine/education/programs/dual-degree</a> .</p>
<p>More information can be found at <a href=“http://www.coas.howard.edu/preprofessionaleducation/bsmd_brochure_july2011.pdf”>http://www.coas.howard.edu/preprofessionaleducation/bsmd_brochure_july2011.pdf</a> .</p>
<p>The “regular” way, for comparison, is:</p>
<ol>
<li> Enroll at a bachelor’s degree granting school (where you may or may not have a full ride).</li>
<li> Take pre-med courses alongside a major of your choice, grade grubbing for a >3.6 GPA.</li>
<li> Take the MCAT, trying to get a score >30.</li>
<li> Through college, do various pre-med extracurriculars.</li>
<li> If your GPA and MCAT score make medical school admission a possibility, apply to medical schools, hoping to get invited to interviews.</li>
<li> Travel all over the place to interviews.</li>
<li> If you are in the lucky ~50% or so who get admitted to any medical school for four years after bachelor’s degree graduation, enroll and take out student loans (probably $300,000 in debt in addition to any undergraduate debt, unless you are a Texas resident and get into a Texas public medical school or Baylor, which would probably be around $120,000 to $160,000).</li>
</ol>
<p>Remember that a huge mountain of debt can limit your choices in life later. For example, if you have huge debt, you may feel pressure to choose the highest paying medical specialty, even if you really wanted to do a lower paid medical specialty (e.g. the primary care ones).</p>
<p>Thank you guys very much!!!</p>
<p>Kerrycake, I’ve followed your sister on twitter, hopfully she’ll follow back, and I can DM her. Thanks for the info</p>