<p>Hi guys!</p>
<p>This is my first time posting on CC and I really need some opinions on which program I can select. The NJIT/SGU program is a 7-year accelerated program between NJIT and St. George's University in Grenada. I do not want to go to a medical school in the Carribean, but there is no binding agreement, so after three years I can apply to other med schools in America. The undergraduate coursework is just as rigorous as those in the NJIT/NJMS program. I am not very keen on the program, but they are giving me a great financial aid package, so my parents would prefer I go there. </p>
<p>My second option is the 8-year program between Monmouth and Drexel, so four years from now, I do have a guaranteed seat in Drexel Med. The benefits are less rigor because it is an 8-year program and a guaranteed seat in an accredited American med school. The downside is the high undergraduate tuition, with all my scholarships, I would pay about $100,000 for four years of undergrad.</p>
<p>In terms of MCAT scores, both programs ask for at least a 31. The GPA requirements are different. NJIT (in order to finish my undergrad in 3 years and opt out of SGU) asks for at least a 3.8 in order to be competitive enough to apply to American med schools, in addition to the usual volunteering and research. In essence, it is a 3 year unassured program, but has a great financial package. Monmouth/Drexel wants me to maintain a 3.5 to keep my seat, but it is a binding contract with Drexel. If I get an amazing MCAT score and GPA and want to apply to a better med school, I can't.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, but I really need some help in making this decision. Please don't say stuff like go to a regular 4-year undergrad, I need to choose between these two options. Thank you!</p>
<p>Go with the Monmouth/Drexel program if at all financially feasible. You have a guaranteed spot at an American medical school. </p>
<p>At NJIT, you have no guarantee of getting the 3.8 to apply out and you really shouldn’t restrict yourself to a Caribbean med school guarantee. If you are able to get into a ba/md program right now, you will almost certainly be able to get into at least a Caribbean med school 4 years from now and most likely somewhere better. I would go to a regular 4-year undergrad over the Caribbean program.</p>
<p>Also, you can apply out of Drexel… you’ll just lose your guaranteed spot in the med school. So if you do have excellent stats, no one can legally stop you from leaving. However, do you have any regular undergraduate schools to consider?</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>My son also got accepted to this program and we are currently trying to make decision.
IT would be nice if we can share the information that we get from our research with each other. In addition, if you both decide to go there then at least you know each other from now. They also offered unbeatable deal to my son. It is hard to say no to it. However, we are trying to make the best decision.</p>
<p>Good luck to you and please update us about your decision.</p>
<p>Take Drexel. There is a big difference between US MD schools and Caribbean ones when it comes to getting into residences, that alone should sway your decision.</p>
<p>Unless you are okay with that disadvantage for residencies, the 100k is worth it.</p>
<p>I would go with Monmouth/Drexel. Like neoevolution said, the chances of getting a top choice residency is significantly higher if you graduate from a US medical school. Also, based on statistics about the USMLE, people studying at a US medical school have a much higher pass rate.</p>