<p>I was discussing college options with parents when we came upon ascertain Dilema. My stats are decent enough to get into a lower level Ivy League school or a real solid public school ( UMich, UofI, etc.) however, I am also interested in applying to some of the integrated medicine programs around the country. While the Brown,WashU and NU ones seem out of reach, the SLU, UIC, Penn State, and maybe Pitt are possible places. However, other than Pitt, the medical schools of the programs I could possibly get into are not fantastic. So the question I pose is whether or not it makes sense to go to a good undergrad and work your way to med school, possibly worse or better, or take one of these integrated medicine programs and go.</p>
<p>Integrated medical programs are just as selective as the Ivy’s! They’re admitting you to MEDICAL SCHOOL out of high school, it’s a great idea but a big challenge.</p>
<p>Personally I have considered this myself. I have ultimately decided it wasn’t the best idea for several reasons. Maybe I don’t want to go to medical school X after 4 years of undergrad, maybe I hate the campus life/ students etc. and medical school Y is a better fit for me. Many of them legally bind you to the program.</p>
<p>Why do you want to be a doctor? Why do you feel the need to chase a “prestigious” med school? What difference will the name on your med school diploma make to your patients or frankly, YOU in 20 years?</p>
<p>(I’m speaking from a family w/several physicians – all accomplished and satisfied in their work)</p>
<p>The best option (not sure if it exists any more) is to be in combined bs/md that allow to apply out while retaining your spot in a program and going to the UG that perfectly fits you. My D. was part of such program. She loved both UG and Med. School in her program, but she did not care for location of Med. School. Her program required to take MCAT anyway. So, she took it and got decent score that was competitive enough to apply out. She gained acceptance to 3 additional Med. Schools and has finished first year at Med. School outside of bs/md. She was the only one who applied out of bs/md, others did not want to bother and went straight to Med. School in the program, no application fee, no interview, required MCAT=27 (on a low side). Not bad at all especially for those who are into peds, as Med. School in bs/md is very highly ranked specifically in peds.</p>
<p>Some of these programs require GPA as high as 3.75 and MCAT as high as 30 to matriculate. Doesn’t sound guaranteed to me.</p>
<p>^
It’s easier to maintain grades when one doesn’t have to worry about the subjective parts of the application. On the regular pre med track, an MCAT of a 30 probably wouldn’t suffice, and you would need significant volunteering/shadowing/research/ experience on top of that 3.75 GPA.</p>
<p>Average MCAT of acceptees is a 31. There are lots of people both above and below 31 who get into medical school. I would still be scared to have to maintain a 3.75 when taking lots of intense BCPM courses.</p>
<p>^31 will have very limited choices.<br>
Knowing that you need only 30, will make a test taker much more relaxed and there is a higher chance of getting it actually much higher. D. felt that way (she needed only 27) and she got much higher than 27.</p>