HPME questions!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I have read about this everywhere...I know there is a huge discussion on it somewhere on CC, but I never found an answer to my question. Is this program for people who want to become doctors, or can they be people who want to become scientific researchers (is that basically the same thing?) I want to be an actual researcher in a lab, not a doctor, so is this program right for me? Thanks for any help. </p>

<p>Also, why do people prefer this program over Harvard or Stanford? Is it really that good of a program? What are some of the benefits? I am so confused! o_O</p>

<p>Another quicky: I am doing an independent study for AP Chem next year as a senior. I know that one of the requirements is to take the SATII chem exam. I don't know if i will be able to take the exam on time to inform them of my score. Is there anything i can do? I took SAT II Bio, if that helps any. </p>

<p>well, i would really appreciate any feedback!</p>

2

<p>I'm not sure if HPME would be right for you, because most ppl apply because they want to become physicians...although you could probably do the MD/PhD track and become a researcher....not sure....might want to ask the folks at Northwestern</p>

<p>HPME is one of the oldest, most prestigious combined degree programs and some of the highlights include the shortened time (only 7 years to get the MD degree) and the no MCAT requirement. People also appreciate the guaranteed admission into med school (and Northwestern's med school is really good) because there is a LOT less stress involved.</p>

<p>In regards to the SATII...better take it ASAP if you want to apply to HPME. I don't think SATII Bio counts, or else they would've said so.</p>

3

<p><a href="http://www.medschool.northwestern.edu/hpme/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.medschool.northwestern.edu/hpme/index.html&lt;/a> gives you a pretty good intro.
<a href="http://www.medschool.northwestern.edu/hpme/research.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.medschool.northwestern.edu/hpme/research.html&lt;/a> mentions the MD/PhD program. </p>

<p>Other than what neom3x11 mentioned, Northwestern itself is a great school--both the undergrad and med schools are in top 25. <a href="http://www.nums.nwu.edu/feinbergnews/newsDetail.asp?objectID=154&typeID=1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nums.nwu.edu/feinbergnews/newsDetail.asp?objectID=154&typeID=1&lt;/a> (#20 in 2006 actually; has been moving up in recent years)
If it were some school out of top 25, probably less people would be willing to give up Stanford/Harvard. Fortunately, it's not. If you end up to be a doctor, who really cares where you went for undergrad? Not to mention even if you become a premed at Stanford/Harvard, the odds is against you for getting into a med school better than Feinberg because the competition is so fierce these days. Any HPME student can still apply for other med schools and take the MCAT if he/she wants to, though nobody I knew bothered to do that.</p>