@GoldenRock yea i def. rank it higher than the Drexel programs. I’m really hoping for NJMS because it would be instate tuition lol
anyone know about getting rescinded from bs/md programs? how low would my grades have to drop before being rescinded?
@GoldenRock I’d been planning to broach a few of the considerations I, as a parent, feel should be weighed more heavily in his final decision once everything was in hand too. Obviously, advise & financial realities were discussed at the very beginning before even choosing where to apply. However my son brought up the fact he was seriously reconsidering his original plans of taking the traditional route again regardless of BSMD results the other day.
From my vantage point, I don’t really see any of his choices as an ill advised decision.
So I threw this out there to see if maybe there’s a factor to consider that maybe my son & I might have missed in the mix. And also just wanting to know if my son is the only one considering this. 
@J2H239 Maybe I’m wrong or too distant from the realities your graduating class would face in successfully applying to medical school the traditional way now - I don’t discount the possibility at all. But I’d think that those of you that are able to secure a BSMD spot now, as only high school seniors, would likely also be the ones also grabbing med school seats the traditional route also. I completely understand the value of that BSMD spot! Really! But as I read “if one could face the challenges,” my first thought is that the current challenge (BSMD) is actually MORE difficult than the one you’d theoretically face in 4 yrs applying. Just look at admission stats for traditional vs BSMD.
Playing devils advocate- If anything, wouldn’t it be less challenging to get in after a traditional UG education?
@biomeds The response to your PM. So far I did not review and capture what are the final docs a student should submit to accept the admission. Since fortunately it is going to be only 1 college, I decided to wait until my D makes her decision and then visit that college web site to make sure whatever needed is done.
But my understanding is any college (not for BS/MD, even just for UG) every student must submit the final transcript after graduating from HS. At least for Univ of California for sure, on or before July 1st, the HS transcript must be submitted.
But if your question is whether what grades in the final semester matters or not, is an unknown. Hoping as long as student gets at least A or B, it should be fine. May be other parents or students who are familiar can shed light on that.
@jumbletumbles and @GoldenRock
In terms of challenges the key factor here and now is TIMING. The challenges needed for BSMD candidates already in this 2016 cycle is already DONE vs switching this late in the game to conventional track means 4 PLUS yrs of keeping higher GPA (as compared to current bsmd candidates), +research, +volunteers/service, +Preparing and achieving high MCAT (as compared to Bsmd candidates none or lower), +cost of new application cycle inclusive of interviews if your are fortunate, etc etc
If you get a spot NOW it would rank, in my opinion, higher than any conventional track (feasible but much higher risks, costs and stress). In the Bsmd you can focus more on learning medicine and service. Of course, if you don’t get a spot now then it’s a mute point and you do what you have to do to realize your dream.
As in finance, “a dolar now is worth more than a dollar later”. If you are fortunate to obtain admission to your target Bsmd program I suggest you give it serious consideration.
@GoldenRock thanks much for the reply. I mean to ask if these BSMD programs need to see your senior mid-year grade/transcript (or at least first marking period of sr. year) before inviting you for an on-site interview. I recall you or someone posted that BU asks for mid-year transcript update?
@biomeds Now got your question. To the best of my knowledge it is not mandatory/pre-requisite to send first semester/mid year report unless the school explicitly notified you. Even for BU, I remember some one posted saying they got the interview and s/he did not send the mid year report.
True, BU always showed in the portal it is missing. For completeness sake, once the semester was over, counselor uploaded it in the college app and it went to all the schools she applied by Feb 1st. But interview did not have the bearing on this.
does BU look at the mid year? i’m not sure
@biomeds most (if not all) the undergraduate colleges ask for midyear reports and final transcripts, however, I believe most BSMD program committees do not see them
Thanks @GoldenRock and @ymehkri
@sonpat Haha was thinking the same thing. I feel like my grades might slip up a little due to senioritis and I’m not sure if I should worry. A B or two should be fine right?
@Joobycooby Yes, a B or two should be fine. I have a friend who burned out second semester of senior year and totally bombed his classes. He finished senior year with like four Bs and nothing happened with the three BSMD programs he got into. Don’t be like him LOL, but 2 Bs shouldnt hurt.
Also, for everyone in general… don’t forget to post in the results thread
@jumbletumbles
“Maybe I’m wrong or too distant from the realities your graduating class would face in successfully applying to medical school the traditional way now - I don’t discount the possibility at all. But I’d think that those of you that are able to secure a BSMD spot now, as only high school seniors, would likely also be the ones also grabbing med school seats the traditional route also. I completely understand the value of that BSMD spot! Really! But as I read “if one could face the challenges,” my first thought is that the current challenge (BSMD) is actually MORE difficult than the one you’d theoretically face in 4 yrs applying. Just look at admission stats for traditional vs BSMD.
Playing devils advocate- If anything, wouldn’t it be less challenging to get in after a traditional UG education?”
You are WAY off the mark. If your premise were true, all med schools would have an early admit program. The reality is, however, about half the students admitted to joint degree programs will come out of undergrad looking just a good to a med school. Of the other half, half of them have slipped to being fence-sitters. And the final 25% would have virtually no shot. It is VERY difficult to get into medical schools in the traditional route, simply because the applicant pool expands dramatically. A typical competitive med school that has 210 slots to fill may receive 10,000+ applications. The odds are not in your favor. Moreover, many med schools have average entrance rates exceeding 24 years of age. That should tell you that a great deal of people become professional med school applicants that dedicate two or more years to becoming the ‘perfect’ applicant. My advice, hold onto an offer like grim death.
@AdmissionsAdmin
“My advice, hold onto an offer like grim death.”
Well said!
The admission decisions for the Augusta U/Medical College of Georgia program came out yesterday around 5. Anyone get in?
@AdmissionsAdmin Thanks again for clarifying our questions on what Admins are looking for in a candidate. Something that is not too clear to me is the role of parents in the interview process. When my S interviewed 2 years ago, some schools would call the parent(s) into the interview room (towards the end of each interview) and then the interviewer would have a chat with the parent(s). This is despite having information sessions for parents and/or students. I am curious about what Admins were generally looking for when they talk to the parents in the interview room. Thanks.
In what grades should one take the SAT subject tests and the SAT? Also, when should one begin preparing for these exams? Is it best to take the SAT or ACT for these programs? Thanks!
@ymehkri Can you please post the results link for reference please.
@WaitingtoKnow Here is the results link.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/multiple-degree-programs/1857339-bs-md-results-for-class-of-2016.html#latest
But I think, it is still too early because every one is still going to wait to see what are all the offers they will get and decide based on variety of factors which will differ from each individual. Just because some one got an offer today, they are not going to finalize unless that is the best option which they have long time back determined. My 2 cents.