<p>I know this question has probably been asked before and there are multiple threads about it but I just wanted to ask the question myself. I'm interested in being a doctor and I have program I'm in at school that starts next year and will give me a chance to experience a hospital setting so I'm not worried about getting into this program and then not liking medicine, i'll KNOW if this is what i want after this program. The 6 year program interests me because it will allow me to start my life sooner and also a guarantee spot in medical school but is it really worth it? Will I get to enjoy my time in college and also will this type of program make my odds better for getting into a medical residency( of course considering I do well in the program) post- medical school?</p>
<p>All BA/BS/MD programs are definitely worth it. The virtual guarantee of getting into medical school is amazing and literally all medical schools in the United States are great. The competition for these programs though are often intense, but if you are lucky enough to get accepted then you should strongly consider going if you are dead set on medicine. That being said, I was lucky enough to get accepted to one at a local university last year but declined it to go to my true dream school, Duke University. Had I not gotten in there, I would have turned down Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Cornell etc. to go to the BS/MD program. I did this because Duke was my dream school, has >90% med. school acceptance rate for GPAs of 3.2 and higher, and my family can afford it, but there are some times that I regret my decision.</p>
<p>You get to cut a full 2 years off of the decade+ you spend before being a Real Doctor. Yeah, that’s worth it.</p>
<p>As long as you are sure it is what you want to do (and it seems you are), go for it.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, not “all” offer a guarantee. Use the search function for those schools that offer combined programs and examine the requirements for that so-called ‘automatic’ bid. That being said, many of the programs are definitely worth it if you are absolutely/positively sure that you want to be premed. If you change your mind later, which many/most do, you are still ‘stuck’ at that undergrad. If Shaq395 decides to become a econ major and go into business instead, s/he still has that Duke degree to fall back on, not the local state Uni.</p>
<p>Since you know that you want to be a doctor, you should definitely apply to the BA/MD program. In addition to saving time, you will be saving money because you will probably get a full ride for your undergraduate education. There are a couple caveats with 6 year BS/MD programs though.</p>
<p>First of all, you will probably end up attending a lousy college for undergrad and most students there won’t be as smart and motivated as you. Fortunately, you can hang out with your fellow future doctors.</p>
<p>Also, the medical schools that have 6 year programs aren’t exactly top-caliber. If you want to be a family doctor and chill for the rest of your life, you’re pretty much set. It’s a bit more difficult to become a specialist, though it is completely possible. One of my friend’s dad graduated from NEOUCOM’s with an M.D. and received a fellowship at a high caliber medical school (UMich, I think). Now, he is a heart surgeon.</p>
<p>You might want to solicit more advice and opinions at the dedicated BS(BA)/MD program forum here:
Multiple Degree Programs - College Confidential Forums</p>
<p>Thanks everyone so much for your answers, it’s helped a lot because now i know what i want to strive for. i was stressing and worrying that this would be too much or it wouldn’t be worth it, but now you guys have helped put it into perspective. thanks again.</p>
<p>you can also consider some programs that give you “guaranteed admission” but the program length is still 8 years</p>