<p>Would some alum please take a moment and share their successes in getting into Medical Schools from Nova UG? Child #2 (S) is looking at Nova real hard and continues to hear praise about their Business School and graduates' successes, but kind of thin on stories regarding careers in medicine...any info would be appreciated as other avenues include BC and H-Cross, both of which have pretty strong track records in re: pre-Med.
I think we're past the "absence of National Ranking" thing and a recent visit has our HS Junior thinking he should make Nova his #1 Target, but info on Health-Advisory experiences and any add'l info greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Not an alum, but a student in Nova’s 7 year BS/MD program (Application deadline is usually same as the EA deadline). It’s an absolutely fantastic program with essentially a guarantee into Drexel Med school (you still need to maintain a 3.5 by the end of 3 years at Villanova and get at least a 29 on the MCAT, but that is generally the bare minimum for most people accepted into any med school). You can also apply out of the program if you want to, but you will lose your spot at Drexel Med.</p>
<p>It reduces so much stress and students in the bs/md program tend to place relatively well in residencies (I heard a bs/md student was the top student of the medical school class last year). </p>
<p>More info can be found here: [Medical</a> Affiliate Program | Villanova University](<a href=“http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/health/affiliates/medicine.html]Medical”>http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/health/affiliates/medicine.html)</p>
<p>Generally, accepted students have an UW GPA of 3.9 and SAT score of 1500+ / 1600, but there is a wide range of scores they will accept so I highly highly recommend that you apply. There is nothing to possibly lose.</p>
<p>In term’s of Nova’s pre-med program. It’s fantastic. Dr. Russo, the Health professions advisor (also the BS/MD advisor) does so much for the program and constantly updates everyone on internships, med school visits, volunteer opportunities, etc… Also, Villanova DOES NOT weed students out. Some schools require that you have a certain GPA and MCAT score to apply to med school. Villanova does not have that policy. Anyone can apply and will receive a committee letter. </p>
<p>Some schools are known for their cut throat culture (Hopkins, Cornell for ex.). Villanova does not have that culture. Might be because I’m in the BS/MD program so people don’t really compete with me, but from what I’ve seen, people really do their best to help each other out… There are group study sessions all the time and kids helping each other if their peers are falling behind. In a sense, Villanova’s sense of community extends into all the reaches of its academic programs. We’re all in the same boat and rather than competing against each other, we strive to help each other do the best possible. I have yet to meet a cut throat kid and coming from a HS that was mired with kids who ruin other people’s experiments and essays for their personal gain, Villanova became a heaven on earth for me (lol a bit extreme in wording, but it’s true!).</p>
<p>Thanks - congrats on the BA/MD progam; my oldest went that route with her applications to Nova, Drexel, & Lehigh but was no successful;
Our middle guy is going to try the ‘traditional’ route and it seems like Nova will one of his top-three; i do appreciate the input and it stands to reason that being one of the feeder-schools to the 7-year program shoud speak for itself but it’s always cmforting to hear about the experiences of someone living through it
Thanks for taking time out to respond and best of luck to you!</p>
<p>D2 is currently a junior going the traditional route. She won’t start applying to medical schools until the summer, however her undergrad experience has been amazing. She has received the full support of her science professors on her research project in addition to assisting on her professors research. Villanova is know for their commitment to service and her involvement has been above what she ever imagined. She has spent weeks at places like an orphanage in Cambodia and a remote medical clinic in El Salvador. With Philly only a quick train ride away, she has been able to volunteer with different outreach programs at local hospitals. With medical schools not only looking for students with strong academic skills, but also leadership and volunteering, Villanova prepares their students for a successful future. If there is such a thing as the “perfect” school for my daughter its Nova!</p>
<p>thanks, NJ-Blue;-
that’s Great to hear; our son is big on community involvement and he was beaming when we visited recently as that warmth came through in everyone he met and all he heard;
our oldest is a Junior at Lafayette and is prepping to MCATs, interviews…; younger sibling wants to follow suit and would like some more certainty that Nova is the place to do it -your response will certainly help in making his decision to pursue at Villanova (now he just has to get in during the Fall…)</p>