It’s getting close for many students to make an exciting and difficult decision on where to enroll, especially between “prestigious” undergraduate programs and BS/MD programs. As a physician and parent who experience this, here’s my two cents on BS/MD programs.
For the PRO:
Since many students in combined programs are able to get credit for their AP classes, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus and so on, they have more “free” time to pursue such classes as Poetry, Philosophy, Psychology, Medicine and Sociology and Philosophy of Science. These are some of actual courses that our son will be taking first two years in the BS/MD program.
With less pressure to maintain “high” GPA (3.5 in most programs), one can actively engage in campus life. In our son’s case, he has joined an athletic team, which would have been difficult through the “regular” route since being in a sport team is very time consuming.
As an Asian "pre-med’, your chance of being accepted into an allopathic medical school in U.S. is about 41.3 % with GPA of 3.4-3.5 and MCAT of 30-32. Some of BS/MD programs does not even require MCAT. According to AAMC, 2014 matriculating Asian medical students average stats are: gpa of 3.73 and MCAT of 32.8.
For the CON:
Less “prestigious” colleges associated with some of these programs.
The question of: “What if… I could have gotten into better medical school through the regular route?” However, many students drop out of “pre-med” track even in highly ranked colleges. Most science courses do not give out more than 10 % A’s. I personally know a Harvard graduate who went to one of Caribbean medical schools. About one third of pre-meds at such prestigious colleges as U of Chicago drop out of the pre-med race by end of their freshman year.
But… if you choose such colleges as U Pitt, UNC and UMD, you have potential to become a BIG fish in those schools with continued motivation. I would avoid such schools as U of Chicago or Duke as your undergraduate college.
Go to IVY and other high ranked schools if you want to get a job in wall street.
Final DECISION:
Remember that you always have an option of transferring out of the program or transfer out of school entirely. I know of a student at low/mid tier BS/MD program, who transferred to Yale after first year. The final decision is up to YOU. Good Luck!!!
