<p>I am not 100% confident that I will get into Harvard but the chances are good. I will get accepted into for several in-state BS/MD programs in Florida and out-of-Florida. I want to become a doctor one day for sure. I am very confident about that. I understand that both approaches have merits and demerits. What would be the compelling reasons for me to forgo BS/MD and opt for Harvard? I am not going to graduate with a 4.0 GPA from Harvard. I may be in the top 50% of the curve. I am not sure how hard can I push myself every year for the next 7-8 years. Also, I need to reapply for all the medical schools when I come out of Harvard, meaning that I need to maintain a competitive GPA and MCAT scores, and strong ECs. Also, Harvard will cost me close to $100K for my four years of undergraduate degree. I am leaning towards the combined BS/MD program over Harvard at this point. Please share your thoughts and opinions. Thanks much.</p>
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<p>To be surrounded by exceptional peers, to have access to phenomenal resources, to explore all sorts of different courses offered, to live in Boston/Cambridge, etc. etc. Different people prefer different paths in life, and what one person desires in an undergrad institution may not be what someone else is looking for, so you’ll need to find compelling personal reasons through your own research and exploration. </p>
<p>How hard do you want to work for the next four years of your life? Would you mind if you find yourself struggling through classes or end up with a not-so-great GPA? How sure are you that you want to be doctor? How important is it for you to attend a good medical school, rather than just any medical school so that you can help out patients, since I assume that’s ultimately why you choose a medical career? How much is your family willing to pay for college? Will your family be able to receive financial aid? How much do you like the environment of your state school? It’s all very much based on personal factors and it’s ultimately your own decision. Visit Harvard, see if you can see yourself here. As someone who attends the school, I can’t be happier with my own choice.</p>
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<p>Just out of curiosity, how do you figure?</p>
<p>If all you want out of life is a license to practice medicine in Florida and an entree to the profession there, then Harvard certainly won’t be worth the added cost. If you have dreams of being involved in cutting-edge research or in health care policy discussions on a national level, then Harvard will give you a leg up (many legs up) you may not be able to get in Florida, and the question will be how much you want to pay for that.</p>
<p>Yes, there is some risk to Harvard, too. But if you have doubts about getting accepted to medical school out of Harvard . . . then you probably aren’t Harvard material. Harvard represents a real opportunity – but not a certainty – to reach a lot higher than you would out of a Florida BS/MD program.</p>
<p>I agree with all of the above posts. </p>
<p>If you are indeed Harvard caliber, however, why not look into the options in between? Northwestern and Brown both offer a combined undergraduate and med school program and are both elite universities that could give you the prestige boost (though perhaps not comparable to that of Harvard).</p>
<p>Woah hold on a second lucyloves, Brown or Northwestern really is by no means the in between from Florida schools and Harvard. Harvard is just a tad more competitive. </p>
<p>It is really hard to get into any BS/MD program for any school. You need some impressive stats. I had the same problem satacer. I definitely want to become a doctor. But am I gonna sell myself short and attend just any less desired university so that I have a spot on their med school? I answered: no. I thought of it this way. Okay, I know that I’m probably gonna get into med school if now I’m thinking of applying/attending some very competitive universities for an undergrad education. I’m sure you’re also smart enough to get into medical school too. And if you’re not 100% sure, then why are you wasting your time? Maybe you’ll find something you truly love in college, and maybe you’ll change your mind. And even if you don’t rank high or have the best GPA in Harvard, medical schools will take into consideration that you went to Harvard.
Go apply to Harvard. Go get a top notch education in an exciting city. Go get that college experience. Harvard is the most endowed school in the world so you’ll probably not have to worry about financial aid. Hope this helps and best of luck.</p>
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<p>Whoa, whoa. </p>
<p>Let’s be real here: that’s what Columbia is for. Whoever said Boston was exciting lied.</p>
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<p>Actually, GPA is pretty damn important, though it is taken within context of relative difficulty.</p>
<p>OP, getting into medical school is actually hard. If you know - beyond reasonable doubt, of course 
- that you want to go to medical school, I’d say take the ticket to medical school (provided that you can get it) and run. Don’t romanticize the undergraduate experience. Despite what you may read here the forums, in reality, a Harvard education is not the greatest thing since sliced bread.</p>
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<p>I don’t think your chances are too great. Unless you get above a 2210 SAT, you have no shot, my friend.</p>
<p>But to answer your question, I don’t think a BS/MD program is better. The reason is: Harvard gives you a chance to explore all disciplines rather than forcing you to stick with one program through 7/8 years. Of course, you also have the prestige factor going. So if you get in, you should definitely go. The $100k tuition will pay for itself in no time.</p>
<p>Folks, thanks for your responses. I will let you know in March or April. Good luck to all of you.</p>
<p>FWIW - I don’t think any undergraduate school can guarantee that you will make the cut to med school (have known some Ivy grads who weren’t in med school, went to science grad programs as fall back). Although the Ivies are great schools they do graduate students who are not accepted to medical schools. So if it is a guarantee that MD will follow your name that you’re looking for, the direct admit program is the safer bet. Whether it is the best choice for you depends on your priorities and comfort level with risk.</p>