***Official Thread for 2016 BSMD applicants***

Can somebody please share their views on Rutgers vs NJIT when applying for NJMS program. Does any of the NJMS associated programs offer fullride in undergrad?

@upstream
Thank you for your insights. You mentioned the following:

 AP credits (it would free up basic science requirements)

Does it mean that using AP credits replaces basic science courses, such as 101s of Bio, Chem, Phy, and Math? Would skipping basic science courses hurt gpa?

Thanks in advance!

@Thatisit1

Youā€™re welcome.
Some combined programs allow students to place out of basic science courses using AP credits, which would free up students to take more non-science courses or even take usual ā€œsecond yearā€ science course such as Molecular Biology so that there would be less load during the second year of the program. Usually introductory science courses are graded more harsh other upper level courses, so skipping basic science courses would ameliorate ones gpa.

other in (ā€¦ more harsh other) should beā€¦ more harsh than

@dblazer
Thanks a lot for your feedback on 7/19 and captured nicely the different programs by tiers. It is useful and handy.

All:
Do any one know if student can apply to both Rice/Baylor and Baylor/Baylor? Vaguely remember someone mentioned Baylor Medical school accepts BS/MD app only thru any one 1 program. But when I searched both Rice and Baylor web sites, there is no mention and clarity about this policy if any. It will be useful for prospective students to know what ever the policy and restriction so that student donā€™t have to do the process and get to know later the application is not accepted. Thanks.

Hey guys, Iā€™m currently a bs/md student at Robert Morris/Drexel med, 3rd year undergrad. Here are my stats and past experience: Inbox me if you have any questions!
Class Rank 2/166
Unweighted GPA 4.00/4.00 or 100%
Weighted GPA - ?/4.00, 103 %

SAT:
Total - 1980/2400 (one sitting)
M - 720/800
CR - 640/800
W - 720/800

ACT: 32

SAT II:
Math 2: 710
Chemistry: 690

AP classes - 8 total
Calc AB -5
Calc BC - 5
Chem - 4
US history -3
US govā€™t
biology
physics
english

Leadership
Spanish Club Vice-President
Students Against Destructive Decisions Club (S.A.D.D.) Vice-President
Editor in Chief of literary magazine
Academic Games Team Captain
Moodyā€™s Mega Math Challenge Team Captain
Math Club President
Concert Choir Secretary

Awards and Recognition
High Honor Roll
Bauch and Lomb Honorary Science Award from U of Rochester- top student in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Outstanding Student Award in Physics
1st place Physics Olympic Team Member
Top 10% Moodyā€™s Mega Math Challenge Team
AP Scholar with Honors

Extracurricular Activities
Gifted Student Program
National Honor Society
Show Choir and Concert Choir selective ensemble
MAA American Mathematics Competition
High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling Team (HiMCM)
Physics Club member

Volunteering
Hospital - 75 hours
School volunteering (aide, student tutor, committees, etc ~ 170 hours

Shadowing
3 different fields, 40 hours total

Research
Yes, with a teacher for the past year

Applied to the following BS/MD programs:

  1. Rosemont/Drexel - interviewed at drexel - accepted
  2. Kean/Drexel -interviewed @drexel - waitlisted
  3. YSU/Neomed ---rejected pre-intervew (OOS)
  4. Kent/Neomed ---rejected pre-interview 5.Akron Neomed ---rejected pre-interview
  5. U. of South Alabama/USA Med - rejected pre-interview
  6. Elizabethtown College/Penn State Hershey Med - received interview- declined to attend
  7. U. of Cincinnati/Cin. Med - rejected pre-interview
  8. St. Bonaventure/GW - interviewed at undergrad - rejected post-interview
  9. Wayne State/Wayne Med- rejected pre-interview
  10. UMKC - waitlisted for interview - rejected
  11. Union College/Albany Med - secondary app received - selected for interview @ albany - waitlisted
  12. UAB - rejected pre-interview
  13. Michigan Tech/Wayne State Med - rejected pre-interview
  14. Washington&Jefferson College/Temple Med - received interview - declined to attend
  15. Penn State/Jefferson - rejected pre-interview
  16. Wilkes/Penn State Hershey - ? never heard back after 2 interviews, one @undergrad, one @hospital
  17. Pitt GAP - received secondary app - chosen for interview - accepted
  18. U. of Toledo - rejected pre-interview
  19. Muhlenburg/Drexel - received secondary app - not forwarded to drexel for evaluation
  20. Robert Morris/Drexel - interviewed @drexel - accepted
  21. Stonybrook - rejected pre-interview
  22. Ursinus/Drexel - interviewed @drexel - accepted
  23. Shepherd University/West Virginia Med - secondary app received - interviewed @WVU - accepted

Other schools: None

Decision: Robert Morris/Drexel - (full scholarship)

Just a thought - I applied to relatively unknown bs/md programs so Iā€™d have less competition.

Reflection: I think the biggest lesson iā€™d pass on to other applicants is that you donā€™t have to get the ā€œbestā€ scores or highest grades to get into bs/md programs. Like a lot of my friends on here say, itā€™s about being well-rounded. I may not look the best on paper, but I was able to express my genuine love of medicine and teaching, caring, and motivating others while at interviews. I showed that I was interested in not only clinical medicine, but also research. I was also careful to show specific interests in different interviews. Sometimes when I was with a group of interviewees, others would make faces at me because iā€™d strike up a conversation while everyone waited their turn to interview, but thatā€™s when I learned that being outgoing and social in those situations actually helps you, it makes you stand out and be heard. Also, the more the better. Yeah, everyone said I was ridiculous for applying for this many programs, but hey, I had completed nearly 15 interviews (UG and Med Schools) before march. so when I walked into the drexel and WV med interviews, I was so confident! And THAT is the key. Not over confidence, but confidence that proves that you are willing to do ANYTHING to show the admissions officers that you can be a successful student in medicine. Additionally, Iā€™d like to add that I got most of my offers from in-state med schools! Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not, but they seemed to like me a lot more. The OOS state interviews were much harder. And as far as choosing a school, I didnā€™t chose it based on prestige only becauseā€¦
I know I want to be a doctor. I will become a doctor, not matter what now. I do not care where I go for med school or residency because thatā€™s not whatā€™s going to get me a job - I didnā€™t get into these bs/mdā€™s because of where I went to school (I live in a small rural town <20,000 pop, public school), itā€™s because I worked hard at standing out. And sometimes standing out at a smaller school is easier than a bigger one. I donā€™t mind taking the MCATs, itā€™s just like I didnā€™t mind taking the ACTs. All I care about is being able to have a full, well-rounded, free undergraduate life. At more competitive schools with higher expectations (Iā€™m required to have a 3.5 GPA), I may feel stressed or overwhelmed (thatā€™s just me, other smarter people may breeze by, but I know my limits). Thatā€™s why I chose a place where I can be among the best and show the world who I am. I have an internship and rotation already waiting for me from being in the bs/md program. To those who say that having a challenge is better, sure, but itā€™s not for me. I know who I am and what I can handle and I feel that medical school, no matter where I go, will provide me with that challenge. Meanwhile, Iā€™ll kick back and relax with little to no requirements or competition in my undergrad years

Feel free to message me if you have an questions 2016ers!

@butterfli123ā€¦ That was a wonderful encouraging post. Thanksā€¦ Is there any other way to get in touch with you for more information as I want to discuss something about a similar situation. I donā€™t want to bother everyone on this thread as I have very specific Qs. Do let me know an email/ inbox etc so as to get in touch. Thanksā€¦

Could anyone with knowledge about St. Louis Universityā€™s Medical Scholars Program offer any information about the program, such as matriculation rate to med school, how difficult it is to stay in the program, etc. Also, is it difficult to maintain a 3.5 overall and 3.5 science GPA in college, as that is the requirement to remain in the program.

*sorry, the requirement is a 3.65 overall and 3.65 science GPA. Is that difficult at SLU?

@kobe24mamba, i donā€™t think the 3.65 gpa requirement is that much to ask for considering that you would need at least that to apply to med school through the traditional route. Iā€™m also curious about the matriculation rate though too.

I am trying to know the exact application process for the U of Houston HBS program. The web site has some information but not clear the exact process to HBS office (after applying to UG and Honors College). Specifically trying to know if there is any need to send secondary school report, counselor, teacher recommendations to HBS office?
(only these 3 docs, is a head ache with my school due to restrictions, though I can send official transcripts and test reports to multiple offices for the same university). If any one from UoH HBS program read this, please provide the details when you applied and also your feedback about UofH and HBS program is. Thanks.

Hi guys, if anyone could offer me some insight on which programs would be in my reach, thatā€™d be great!
SAT: 2260 (CR 800, M 760, W 700)
SAT 2: Taking Chem, Math 2 and maybe Bio in Oct
GPA: My school doesnā€™t use a GPA system/rank but Iā€™ve got pretty standard grades (all As)
(Iā€™m from Karachi and we use the British A level/O level system)
Grades: O levels 8A* (Language, Lit, Math, Additional Math, Bio, Chem, Physics, Pak studies) 1 A (Islamiyat), 1 B (Urdu)
A levels: 4As (bio, chem, physics, math)
Major Awards: 1st Place in interschool science olympiad (10th grade)
2nd place overall and Head Delegate in a dif science olympiad (12th)

ECs: 100+ hours in a hospital as a senior volunteer
150 hours shadowing a paediatric cardiologist
On the board of a volunteer/community service rotary club/ been a part of it for two years
President of my schools conservation society and on the council of the astronomy society
Helped with a cancer hospices social media presence/designed mobile website

Any advice or suggestions as to where to apply would be great!
Is University of Miami HPME in my reach?

@NicolasCageAf Do you have residency or US citizenship? Otherwise most combined programs might not admit you since medical schools have many restrictions in their admission processes.

Do you guys think I have a good chance for UMKC 6 year med program?
Stats:
Unweighted GPA: 3.84
Rank: 31 out of 378
AP Classes(Score in parentheses if taken): Calculus AB (1 wonā€™t send), Chemistry (3) , Biology, Physics 1, Government(4), Psychology, World History
ACT: 32 Composite
35 English
27 Math
34 Reading
30 Science
ECs:
NHS
Track & Field
Diversity Club
Science Olympiad State Medalist
400+ hours community service hospital
25 hours of job shadowing a neurologist at hospital/ Shadowing Gold Unit at UMKCā€™s Truman Hospital
Race: Indian/Asian
Gender: Male
Location: Kansas City MO (In-state)
Note: Brother is currently in the program as a 4th year so I donā€™t know if that will help me or anything
Do you guys think I have a good chance?

@texaspg
Iā€™m a US citizen. I currently do not have residency in any one state. This would not hinder my app would it?
Any advice is much appreciated

Most private schools with combined programs are open to any US citizen or permanent resident. The state school programs on the other hand usually have residency requirements.

Oh okay. So I would be eligible for the Howard or Miami programs? Do you think I have a chance of getting in?

@NicolasCageAf I donā€™t know enough about those two programs to provide you with an analysis.

Most of the combined programs require in person interviews. How are you going to manage that?

Iā€™ll fly out, not a problem. I just wanna get in.
So which places do you think would be in my reach?

Hey guys! Iā€™m a current UCSD medical scholar, and Iā€™m eager to answer any questions you may have about this BS/MD program as well as the other similarly competitive BS/MD programs, Brown PLME and Northwestern HPME.