@atthejewel How much does ACT/SAT matter? Would the impact of them carry over all the way to the end of admissions process? Also if you don’t mind could you please tell me what my current stats sound like?
Also, I will be publishing a biomedical research work as the primary author by November.
Thank you!
@jhgong For all BS/MD programs, your GPA will matter more than your ACT/SAT, since your GPA speaks more to your academic ability. Also, some programs like Northwestern HPME and UCSD Medical Scholars actually have “pre-eligibility requirements” that you must fulfill before you can even submit an application, and ACT/SAT scores are usually one of the factors. For example, you cannot receive the invitation to apply to the UCSD Medical Scholars Program unless you have at least a 4.0 UC GPA and 2250 on the SAT or 34 on the ACT. However, these are only the minimum requirements, so admitted students’ scores tend to be much higher. It really does depend on the program though, so less selective programs will be more lenient when it comes to SAT/ACT scores.
@atthejewel Can you please share your insight and more details on what UCSD program focus and priority if any. I am from CA but knowing that UCSD is the only BS/MD program in CA state and the level of competition and intensity, want to get your perspective. How do you like the program so far? Do UCSD give too much emphasis on physician shadowing? How many rounds of interview and what is the focus in the interview? Appreciate if you could take look at my profile in the link below and give your feedback.
Additional details beyond the link:
Thank you very much in advance.
@GoldenRock I really love the program so far! San Diego is an amazing place and UCSD SOM is top-notch and highly ranked. It is also so academically flexible. We don’t have the usual premed requirements, we can major in whatever we want, we can graduate in as few as two years or take the full four years, we don’t have to take the MCAT, and we can apply to other med schools without losing our spot at UCSD (but why would you? lol).
I actually did not shadow any physicians before I applied. My medicine-related extracurriculars were very unique though and I also had a strong background in scientific research.
There were a couple interview rounds, but I don’t remember exactly how many there were. The interview is very broad, just as any typical MMI interview. They’re mainly looking to see you have the interpersonal skills that you need to treat patients as a doctor. So if you make it to the interview stage, just be yourself and have fun! It’s meant to be relaxed.
@atthejewel
What were some of your stats?
How does the program compare with your expectations? (is it as difficult or?
Some of my stats are listed above, the UCSD program is my dream program but I don’t think I’m qualified enough.
How many international US citizens are in you program (if any)
Does anyone know which BS/MD programs have an in-state bias and which don’t?
@NicolasCageAf (Great username by the way! haha) I think My UC GPA was 4.35. I took all honors and AP classes in high school, with my easiest course load being 5 honors classes during freshman year and my most difficult one being 5 AP classes and 1 honors class during my senior year. My SAT score was 2350 (second try, I got a 2280 the first time). As for subject tests, I got an 800 on Math II, 780 on U.S. History and 780 on Biology. I had extensive medicine-related extracurricular activities, which were both very unique and comprehensive. I also had a strong research background and research awards.
The program is awesome. I don’t know any UCSD med scholars who regret choosing it (and many, including myself, have turned downs schools like Columbia, Stanford, Harvard, Yale and Princeton, to attend this program) UCSD may not be a highly ranked undergraduate school, but UCSD School of Medicine most certainly is! Besides the prestige, the program also alleviates most of the stress associated with being a pre-med, which was most important to me. We have fewer pre-med requirements (only a couple quarters of organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and humanities) unlike pre-med students at any other school. We can choose any major we want and we just have to maintain a GPA of 3.5 in order to stay in the program, which is easily manageable if you are academically qualified for this program. No MCAT needed! Furthermore, the program is really small, which fosters a close-knit community and strong advising–a max of 12 kids can be accepted to the program each year, and they usually do not accept a full 12. We also get individual med scholar mentors as well as faculty mentors in the med school. I could go on and on about how much I love this program, haha.
I’m not sure how many international US citizens are in the program. You could contact them to find out the exact numbers.
@kevina90 I’m not sure about in-state bias, but the UCSD Medical Scholars Program is only open to California residents. Other programs may have similar requirements.
Hi I am a junior in high school. I know these programs is very very competitive, but am i on the right track of having a chance for acceptance.
Stats: uw gpa 3.92 (93ish)
W gpa 4.36(100-101ish)
Sat 2350 — (1550/1600) 800M 750R 800W- these are projected scores but i got a 2160 with out preparation on June, and I’ve been doing many administered practice tests and this score seems certain and definite
APs:
Ap bio 4. Chem 4. Cslc ab 5. Calc bc 5, Lang 4. us history 5. Microeconomics 5
RANK: top 5-10% of very competitive high school in NJ. I have the most rigorous course loads possible.
SAT 2s: 800 Math2, 780 Chemistry, 800 Physics, 700 Bio(lol should i send this)
Senior year: APs include:
-psychology
-lit
-physics C
-macroeconomics
-gov
-a couple more that have not been decide
-Calc 3 at community college
CLUBS:
-secretary of environmental action club,
-member of deca
-Chief of Volunteering committee in fbla
Sports:
-soccer(in school) 3 years of high school (9,10,12), injured 11th grade
-Black Belt in karate(outside school)- 8 years of work
-Track and Field( 11,12)
-Idk if this matters but i also played soccer and basketball at rec levels
Music:
-Played guitar for 9 years.
-Take lessons outside of school
-only real accomplishments in this instrument is in some recitals conducted by my teacher-not much
Volunteer Work:
-Local Hospital:(food delivery, emergency room, front desk): 230 hours
-Science museum- 120 hours
Medical Stuff:
-Took an EMT course but still waiting to get into action since im young
-Shadowed a Family Practitioner for 50 hours
-Could not find any research opportunities. I live near Rutgers and Princeton, can anyone tell me how to find some opportunities? i emailed a couple professors but they either didn’t respond or claimed highschoolers are prohibited.
Awards:
-AP Awards
-nothing else major
Essay: Will try to make it amazing. i am an excellent writer and can hopefully make it super strong
Teacher Rec: good but not special (8/10)
Can i get into this program? I know i am mong many others applying and i have nothing special and no research or lab experience, but is it possible. Have people ever been accepted without publishing papers? If this program is basically impossible for me, are there other bs/md or bs/do programs that i have a shot at? I am 100% sure that I want to become a doctor so a bs/md program is my top choice! Thanks. Please be honest
this is for drexell, pitt, rutgers, njit, tcnj, hofstra, nyit, and any other college on the east coast
@butterfli123 just PMd you
Dear pokemon1
Decent numbers and I think it may comes to “many talk the talk but few can walk the walk”
If you get the sat score you are predicting then you have reasonable chance
Good luck
In my family we have had four do premed med accelerated program and you are definitely on your way
There are so many undergraduate programs affiliated with Drexel. What are the strengths and weaknesses and reputations of each? And if you are also applying to the Drexel/Drexel, how can you state in your essays that you prefer a small college in one essay and then turn around and say you prefer a big college for the other one? Especially since the medical school ultimately sees all of your undergraduate apps and essays. Please help…
Whoever is stalking me right now, screw you.
Is a 32 ACT composite score, with 3.92 unweighted GPA, and doctor shadowing, tons of volunteering etc. good to get into bs md programs?
For example, I know one of them asks for a 32 composite score, and I have 32 on the dot, so is it recommended to retake and get a higher score, or is that once you meet the minimum, the score no longer matters?
@archinater9 the higher the score the better, for certain. 32 is on the low end for these programs so it’s worth re-taking if it is feasible
I agree with @dblazer. Some programs like the UCSD Medical Scholars Program (in which I’m enrolled) do not even allow you to apply unless you have at least a 34. It’s definitely worth it to retake.
Question:
When applying for Brown ED, is there any option for PLME only? – Do not want to bind to Brown ED unless accepted by PLME
@daisy97229 Brown changed its policy this year… That’s why I gave up doing ED also.
NEOMED has announced changes to their BS/MD program. The communique is as under:
Briefing on Changes to the BS/MD Program
NEOMED, Kent State University, University of Akron and Youngstown State University enhance
innovative program to train physicians throughout Northeast Ohio
September 3, 2015
After more than three years of consultation and study with its regional university partners, Northeast
Ohio Medical University announces a change to its well-known early-entry MD program. This
modification is intended to build on the university’s long-term success, alleviate the shortage of primary
care physicians and enhance the presence of those physicians in underserved rural and urban
communities.
For 40 years, the 2+4 BS/MD program has admitted high school seniors to a pathway to medical school,
cutting two years from the typical four-year undergraduate degree and guaranteeing a seat in
NEOMED’s College of Medicine. The results of this program have been impressive: 96 percent of
NEOMED students are from Ohio and 50 percent continue their residency in Ohio. In addition, nearly
one-third of the area’s community physicians practicing in Northeast Ohio were trained at NEOMED,
with many occupying leadership positions throughout health systems across the region.
“This program has had a profound impact on the health, welfare and economy of the state and region,”
said NEOMED Vice President for Health Affairs and Community Engagement and Dean of the College of
Medicine, Jeff Susman, M.D.
But even the most successful program needs to periodically evaluate its results. NEOMED Associate
Dean for Admission and Community Engagement, Erik Porfeli, Ph.D., explains, “While the BS-MD
program has had huge success, we felt we could do better for those communities that are chronically
underserved and lack primary care physicians.”
Predicting the academic and emotional preparedness of a high school student for the rigors of medical
school is also an increasing challenge. As the knowledge underpinning medicine has become broader
and more intensive—ranging from advances in the human genome to innovations in technology—it has
become more difficult to prepare students for success with only two years of undergraduate studies.
While NEOMED is known for its graduates of distinction, fewer than 50 percent of students enrolled in
the current 2+4 BS/MD program actually complete the program in six years —and more than a quarter
never finish. This is in contrast to a strong overall completion rate in the College of Medicine. Of the
total medical students who matriculate at NEOMED, over 95% graduate.
Adding time to the undergraduate curriculum also allows students to gain specialized experience in such
areas as public health and research, as well as receiving additional instruction in the humanities.
The modified pathway, developed over the past three years with NEOMED’s original partner universities
– Kent State University, the University of Akron and Youngstown State University – will increase
recruitment efforts from rural and urban underserved communities, delay provisional admission to
medical school for most students until their second year of college and require at least three years of
undergraduate work.
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Briefing on BS/MD Program
Page 2
NEOMED is already working with its university partners to continue and increase pathway programs to
medical professions for high school students. To that end, NEOMED recently secured a $1.9 million
grant to deepen those efforts.
Susman emphasized that changes will come gradually over the next four years, amid careful monitoring,
with adjustments as needed. Students currently enrolled in the BS/MD program will not be affected.
Each university partner is crafting changes to match specific strengths. Kent State will transition to a 4 +
4 model where college students will complete their education in the traditional four years, with students
receiving provisional admission to medical school after their second year. Youngstown State will build
on its success with a 3 + 4 model. And the University of Akron will retain a dozen students in a path
featuring direct entry from high school but attending at least three years of college. Each of the
universities will enroll a total of 35 students per year, with NEOMED accepting those students who meet
the necessary admission requirements.
Coupled with a rural program at Hiram University and an urban program at Cleveland State University,
NEOMED is redoubling its efforts to meet its original mission and legislative mandate to “graduate
physicians oriented to the practice of medicine at the community level, especially family physicians.”
“Even successful programs can be improved upon. We are fortunate to have university partners with
the foresight and creativity to assure we remain leaders in accessible, affordable and innovative
physician training,” said Susman. “Each was given the option to keep some seats under the current
program, but all declined. The unanimous rejection of the status quo shows tremendous support for
this change.”
“We’ve done a great job over the past 40 years training physicians to serve in Northeast Ohio with
primary and specialty care practices, and we will continue to do just that,” said the president of
NEOMED, Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D. “However, we must also select and incentivize larger numbers of
physicians to practice in underserved urban and rural areas,” Gershen added. “By doing this, we will
increase access to medical care, reduce the overall cost of health care and minimize health care
disparities.”