<p>I've been accepted into the Northwestern HPME, BU SMED with a Trustee full tuition scholarship, and the UMiami HPM with the Singer full tuition scholarship. I'm having a lot of difficulty deciding between the three programs. </p>
<p>I currently am leaning towards the HPME since Northwestern and Feinberg have the best quality of education, amazing locations, and prestige. Plus, you only have to maintain a 3.4 GPA and don't have to take the MCAT. Most of the HPME students agree that they had plenty of time during UG to get involved in clubs and other activities. The biggest drawback is that I would have to pay full tuition, so even if I am only there for 7 years, it's going to cost upwards of $400K. I'm also a little worried about the weather since I'm from California but hopefully I'll adjust :)</p>
<p>On the other hand, I also really like the BU program. BUSM is also very prestigious and will probably offer more opportunities to get involved in research as an undergraduate student. Also, beside the full tuition, there are certain perks of being a Trustee Scholar, such as being able to stay in the Trustee Dorm or being invited regularly to group activities such as plays or baseball games in the Boston area. By being both a SMED and Trustee scholar, I would already belong to two communities walking into BU. </p>
<p>However, from what I can tell from talking with other students, BU undergrad implements a lot of grade deflation, making it difficult to maintain the 3.2 GPA for the program, let alone the 3.5 GPA required for Trustee scholars. I'm a little worried that I'll have to focus a ton of studying and won't even have enough time to participate in research and other extracurricular activities. </p>
<p>I also loved the UMiami campus, but I'm less inclined to go there since the medical school is less prestigious and located in a pretty rough area. Plus, although the campus is really nice, Miami itself isn't really considered a great "college town". I also don't believe that the Singer recipients have much of a close-knit community like the BU Trustee Scholars do. </p>
<p>Well, that was long. I'd appreciate any advice that you guys would be willing to give. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>If I go to Northwestern, I’m thinking of getting an MD/MBA since the Kellogg School of Management is very prestigious. Other than that, I haven’t determined a specialty yet but I’m interested in research and business. </p>
<p>I think you’ve ranked them in order of their “demand” or “prestige” among the CC community. I would say that if cost is no object, go to NU HPME for the reasons you describe. Yes, Chicago is cold, but then, so is Boston. One does get used to it. But of course, money is finite, so Boston offers the best of both - save the money in UG and use towards med school, and graduate with as little debt as possible. U Miami is a decent school - the Coral Gables campus is very nice. From what I have heard U Miami and Miller School’s administration is spending money to raise its profile and attract star faculty from other areas. As with any urban area - whether Chicago, Boston or Miami, you do have your not so nice parts of town that one needs to keep in mind. From what I recall from a while ago, Miami Miller school is not necessarily in the dumpiest part of town, just that it is in an urban center.</p>
<p>Many of us have been to the UG Miami campus…its magnificent…AND the Medical Center is as nice as any other major metro medical center which, in fact, is necessary to provide ALL of the medical experience necessary to train students/residents and do research…and by the way in 70/80 degree sunny weather! Let’s see…20 below with wind chill off the lake? OR 78 and sunny South Beach? DUH? (LOL) :)>- </p>
<p>As a physician I would say HPME if you have money to spare if not BU for sure. Not UM. Weather is not as important as career oportunity. Money is an issue. Student loan payback can be difficult and doctors salaries are going down over time. Its a great career but money is an issue. </p>
<p>It is amazing to go back through the forums that I used to regularly visit last year. I was in a similar situation to you last year. I chose BU SMED and I have to say it is the greatest decision of my life. To start off, Boston is one of the best cities in the U.S., especially for college. There is absolutely soooo much to do- the culture is vibrant and the people very hospitable. As a future doctor, you have access to many opportunities. It is cold but the weather overall is MUCH better than Chicago (I’ve been there so I know). Of course, Miami is going to be better but pfffff. I could not stand the wrong impression of SMED given on CC, so I had to speak up for the program. </p>
<p>Contrary to many people’s opinions, BU does NOT have grade deflation. Yes, some classes are hard- I cannot really say from personal experience, but from talking to upperclassmen. Freshman year has been a breaze for me, simply because I took a lot of AP classes that prepared me well. As a SMED student, you should not even worry about your grades because you just got to meet the minimum standards. I have heard of a couple of SMEDs who were kicked out a couple of years ago because they REALLY slacked off. </p>
<p>The only negative side of SMED in my opinion has to be the cost. For me, it was and is really expensive. I applied for the Trustee Scholarship but I did not get it. The aid I received was not that great and BU is notorious for being quite stingy. You must be really bright to get both SMED and Trustee, so kudos to you. The opportunity to become a doctor at a great institution with less debt should be a no-brainer. Often, we, ambitious young men and women, forget to really think about the costs and how it will affect our future and our families. Saving the undergrad portion of the tuition will go a long way in managing your finances. </p>
<p>Also, you are correct that at campus, you will get the perks of being a SMED as well as Trustee scholar. If you got any other questions, feel free to ask me. I hope to see you next year!!!</p>
<p>Thanks so much to everybody for the well thought out responses! I’ve narrowed down my options to Boston University and Northwestern among the ones I have already listed. </p>
<p>I know this might sound ridiculous, but I’m actually leaning towards the Rice/Baylor Program right now. I have my interview for the program next week so hopefully all goes well. </p>
<p>I think Rice/Baylor would be the best fit for me for a few reasons. My family is already moving to Houston regardless (my dad got a new job there) and both of my uncles live in the Houston area. It would be a huge plus for me to be able to stay close to family and be able to watch my cousins grow up over the next eight years. Both Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine are very prestigious and I will get a great quality of education. There are also many opportunities to get involved in research at the Texas Medical Center. Lastly, the Baylor College of Medicine has EXTREMELY cheap tuition, to the point that even without a scholarship the cost will be roughly equivalent to the Boston University program.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the program is extremely exclusive, picking only 10 students each year. I’m a little concerned that with a small group, you won’t be able to have the same community feel that comes with HPME or SMED, so I would appreciate if anyone has any more info to give about the Rice/Baylor program. </p>
<p>RICE is amazing…there is a reason that they are the HAPPIEST campus year after year! I loved it and BAYLOR is topnotch and you will save a fortune. A LOT of $$$$ in Texas…strange that a top-TEN med school is the LEAST EXPENSIVE program in the country AND…NO 20 BELOW ZERO days!!!</p>
<p>This is the chart showing tuition and fees at the Baylor College of Medicine. You can see that the cost will only be about $20,000 per year (since I’ll have Texas residency) compared to the $75,000 at Feinberg. </p>
<p>That last post certainly changes your first post as now you are adding another excellent program into the mix which you didn’t mention as an option for us to comment on in the first post. I thinks the Rice Baylor option would be a good option especially with family in town. But you still have to get in first. If not I stand by my prior post.</p>
<p>@DeBUSMED, part of the problem is that BU highly capitalizes on its location. It charges Ivy-League level tuition without the prestige and name-carrying power. With almost no scholarship support given to BA/MD students. That’s what I think pisses people off about it.</p>
<p>I’ve actually made up my final decision! I heard back from Rice/Baylor, and while I did get in, their new MCAT policy is that students must achieve an equivalent score as the incoming class for the Baylor College of Medicine. That’s like a 36 by current standards, which to me negates the whole purpose of getting into a med program in the first place. My parents also told me that I shouldn’t worry about cost and should go where I feel like I belong. I’m choosing Northwestern and I honestly couldn’t be happier! Thanks to everyone for all the support and advice, and all the best in your college pursuits!</p>
<p>I have heard that they will not be stringent in their requirements of the MCAT to get. Pre-setting that all BS/MD students must achieve a 36 or risk getting kicked out of the program is a bit bizarre. That said if you are a Texas resident, the fact that you will most likely graduate with much less debt as compared to NU is kind of a no-brainer. The 7 percent interest compounds fast and medical school costs alone are a killer. Not to mention that Rice/Baylor is such a great program; seems to be very relaxed compared to the other BS/MD programs. Rice and Baylor themselves are brilliant institutions and the weather is great. </p>
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