***Official Thread for 2020 BSMD applicants***

[Vicky2019]

@PPofEngrDr

@Vicky2019 general observation in last few posts, jump on to cost analysis fast and furious. :neutral:

Thanks for your feedback. Appreciate your positive feedback There is always room for improvement.

I am not a student and rest of my family are idealists. I have to be the practical one. So, some bad habits…however, I do spend a lot of time volunteering to make up for being practical

[PPofEngrDr]

@patelmj2001

cost analysis is very important since as a parents you need to pay some cost out of pocket and it’s very difficult if one of your kid already in college (in my case)
I am hoping college do review them but i guess they not reviewing in that detail and you need to appeal there decision.

Yes, but should be at end of decision making process, not at beginning. Welcome to kingdom of parents whose 2 or more kids are in colleges at same time.

[Vicky2019]

@PPofEngrDr

@patelmj2001

cost analysis is very important since as a parents you need to pay some cost out of pocket and it’s very difficult if one of your kid already in college (in my case)
I am hoping college do review them but i guess they not reviewing in that detail and you need to appeal there decision.

Yes, but should be at end of decision making process, not at beginning. Welcome to kingdom of parents whose 2 or more kids are in colleges at same time.

I too am a parent of multiple kids soon to be in college!

[grtd2010]

@Vicky2019

@grtd2010

@Vicky2019

@suku1zar

My D got
SLU
W&J/Temple
Drexel
Waiting for FAU and then decide
Any Suggestions which is good to Join

In my opinion, Temple seems like the best option. The UG, Medical school rankings (both clinical, research) are better for temple. It seems the cheapest. If you are in-state, you have a great deal. Considering all colleges to be equally difficult, temple has the least program requirements to graduate.

I am eliminating SLU based on response from @PPofEngrDr. My DS didn’t apply to any of these. So, I just looked up some info -

Temple University’s ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #104. Its in-state tuition and fees are $19,748; out-of-state tuition and fees are $34,126. The 2019 U.S. News & World Report report of best medical schools lists the school as tied for 57th best in the U.S. for research and tied for 69th for primary care.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.6
• A cumulative undergraduate science GPA of 3.6
• MCAT minimum composite score of 509 with no section less than 126

Drexel University’s ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #97. Its tuition and fees are $54,516.
Drexel University is ranked No. 91 (tie) in Best Medical Schools: Research and No. 94-122 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care.

Maintain at least a 3.6 GPA in all coursework, including all BCPM classes (all biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and math), without repeating a course and with no grade less than a C.

The MCAT is required prior to matriculation into the College of Medicine. Students must receive a minimum MCAT score of 513, including:
 128 or better in chemical and physical foundations of biological systems
 127 or better in critical analysis and reasoning skills
 128 or better in biological and biochemical foundations of living systems
 128 or better in psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior

Florida Atlantic University’s ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #281. Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,039; out-of-state tuition and fees are $21,595. Florida Atlantic University (Schmidt) is ranked No. 94-122 in Best Medical Schools: Research and No. 94-122 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care.

• Minimum FAU GPA of 3.7 and MCAT of 510 required

Not sure what others think?

FYI, W&J/Temple is different than Temple/Temple(Temple PPHS). Here UG institution is Washington & Jefferson college. W&J is not associated with Temple University.

I see, good point. Thanks for pointing out -

@suku1zar

So, looked up info on W&J/Temple -

It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Washington and Jefferson College’s ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #92. Its tuition and fees are $49,338. The minimum undergraduate science GPA (biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics) and overall GPA at W&J must be 3.5 averaged over the first 3 years with no grade less than “B-”. Students must also complete 50 hours of medically-related shadowing and/or experiences, 50 hours of community service activities, and demonstrate commitment to serving others through extracurricular activities. The minimum GPA for the fourth undergraduate academic year at W&J must be at least 3.0 with no grade less than “B-.”

The minimum acceptable MCAT score (taken by May of the junior year) requires scoring 509 overall with no individual section score lower than 126. The candidate must apply to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine during the summer preceding the senior year at W&J using the Early Assurance Program Option of the American Association of Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS).

Based on the info provided, please decide for yourself what works out better!

The matriculation requirements for LKSOM can change. For Temple PPHS ( D has completed all requirements except for a formal application to LKSOM via AMCAS ), it is more likely greater than MCAT score 509 mentioned here.

[DroneFly]

@PPofEngrDr

@DroneFly

@grtd2010

@DroneFly

@srk2017 @Vicky2019 @PPofEngrDr
All great points. I didn’t know getting a good GPA is harder in Computer Science.
Is that true even if you have a 5 in AP CS and a solid Programming background ?

I also like the @PPofEngrDr statement : risk of bread Vs risk of dream

How good are you in Mathematics ? CS is beyond just programming in a language. There courses in discrete mathematics, data structures, algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems and System programming, Languages and Compilers, Automaton Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Databases, , Computer Networking etc as core as well as electives in B.S (CS). The GPA will depend on school and grading policies as competition will be tough.

I have done AP CALC AB/BC with a 5 and Multivariable calculus college level course with an A. I think it will bea good idea to check with the graduating class of the college I am interested in joining.

High school CS, AP outcome and community college classes, may not necessarily define success with college CS.
I have seen candidates start engineering major, but due to med school passion and GPA issues switch major where can achieve required GPA. In other words, pick a school where you have an easy fallback option, rather than switching colleges all together.

Agreed. Thank you

[grtd2010]

@patelmj2001

cost analysis is very important since as a parents you need to pay some cost out of pocket and it’s very difficult if one of your kid already in college (in my case)
I am hoping college do review them but i guess they not reviewing in that detail and you need to appeal there decision.

You may have to take into account medical school expenses too even though D/S can take out loans for medical school.

[mi2019]

if one cares for med school match list

Below are latest 2020 match lists

Nu

https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/md-education/current-students/career-development/residency-application-process/match-results/

Brown

https://medical.brown.edu/about/facts-and-figures/match-lists/2020-match-list

[NoviceDad]

RE: W&J

I would ask all to exercise caution on W&J.

In my view, the quality of undergrad at W&J is not on par with what a high quality BS/MD student should get.

The mid-range SAT scores is 1090 - 1210. For smart BS/MD level kids, getting an "A"would be a piece of cake with little or no stress. there will be hardly any peer pressure to excel. In my view, it does NOT prepare students for Med school.

Just my two cents on W&J.

[NoviceDad]

Congrats to everyone who got into CASE & Drexel

[legobugatti]

I got into both BU BSMD and DREXEL BSMD; anybody get the same? Just waiting for Brown PLME

[NoviceDad]

@DroneFly

CS is a good plan B option. However, it will not be an easy choice.

To give you an example:

At NU, the overlap between HPME pre-med requirements (17 credits) and CS is probably 1 physics credit.
Effectively you have to do 36+ 17 - 1 = 52 credits with 3 years or with permission 4 years.
Typically, students do 12 credits across 3 quarters (1 NU year). If you follow that routine, in 4 years you will cover 48 credits. This means you need do atleast 1 summer quarter to cover your 4 credits.
All this while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.65 (A-). And NU has an average of 3 mid-terms for each subject in its 10 week quarter.

At NU-HPME, they will effectively discourage you to taking CS as your undergrad major.
In fact, most biomedical engineering students switch to Weinberg just to maintain their GPA and workload.

Now, NU example may NOT be applicable to other schools but whichever school you plan to join, make sure you understand what exactly you are getting into.

[NoviceDad]

Folks with two kids in college.

As you may already know, FAFSA’s EFC calculation factors the impact of a child already in college.
Most PRIVATE colleges offer need based aid.

Hopefully, the EFC calculation is in your favor and colleges give you ample aid.

If you are worried, most colleges have an aid calculator - play with that and you will get a ball-park of the cost. Hopefully the actual aid is more than the one the calculator indicates.

[rk2017]

@Vicky2019

@GoldenRock

@gs2020

That is exactly the point. Since many posts are not clear, it is useful if some one who has gone thru this cycle should help to clarify so that future parents / students benefit and not mislead.

In 2016 cycle my D applied for BU SMED and did not get an interview. (forgot whether she got a formal notification from BU that she is not selected for interview - That is what I am seeking from current cycle students - Do BU SMED sends a formal rejection for pre-interview or not)

But she formally notified she is interested in BU UG and she got accepted.

This aspect I have posted in every year discussion thread. Same thing for CWRU. Both are nice and invariably accept competitive BS/MD students for their UG (CWRU also gives merit aid).

The likely schools which protect yield are NU and WashU (if they asked to apply for their BS/MD program but not offered interview).

This forum has helped a few kids who were not offered BS/MD interview to formally notify BU and tell them that she/he is interested in UG as well.

Since a kid who underwent interview is hoping she/he is likely to get a BS/MD seat, they would normally not formally notify the Undergrad admissions that they would be interested in UG seat.

I wonder if a kid who was offered BU SMED interview also can notify to Undergrad admissions to consider them for UG in case they were not selected for admission? Not sure, if anyone in this forum has tried this?

The reason I am saying this is students applying to BS/MD end up applying to 15+ schools and the quality of applications/essays is impacted. If most BS/MD schools can double up as UG schools, they can streamline their list!!!

I haven’t followed the whole proceedings here, lately have been so tied up at work. So may be missing out somethings and going off track.

But this is my take. If anyone wants to be considered for BU undergrad even as they applied for SMED, they need to inform the admissions office within reasonable time frame. Say February 1st or 2nd week at the latest. Hopefully you will get a reasonable hunch as to will be called for SMED interview or not.

• If you get SMED interview call by then, then go for it. You have 40-50% chance of making it. Even if you don't get selected, it's a good experience. You won't be considered for undergrad there and will be sent a blanket cover email that you aren't selected to BU (may actually mean SMED)
• if you don't get interview call by the above time frame, and still open to be considered for BU undergrad, you better call up admissions and let them know to transfer your application. If you cross the mid February mark, either they may say it is too late or even if they transfer, you may be at a disadvantage since they may have already made up their minds on at least a subset of applicants who will be given presidential scholarships. If you are a NMF finalist though it doesn't matter, since as long as you notify NMF that BU is your first choice by March 1st, you are assured of 25k/year award by BU (but not as prestigious as presidential, though the amounts are same for both).

Hope this clarifies for future applicants.

[SpeedSkater]

@NoviceDad

Congrats to everyone who got into CASE & Drexel

Don’t think Case is out yet.

[patelmj2001]

can someone analyze drexel bs/md program v/s BU SMED program and give me some feedback on this?
We need to pick one for now and still waiting for AMC and Brown PLME results…
thanks in advance

[rk2017]

@DroneFly

I have one question. If we go the traditional route the acceptance rate is 3 to 4 %.
In that case if we don’t get in med school then the undergrad Major will play a big role in getting a job outside as a back up plan.

Is Computer Science a better major then to cover the risk. ? We can still do all the Pre-med courses with this major and at the end of 4 years Trad route does not work we can get a decent job as a software developer.

Thoughts ?

Sure it is. You can also get into computational biology, Bio Infirmatics, big data etc, which align very well with both the streams (med as well as CS). But also beware, one may get sucked into CS and have change of minds about medicine altogether, especially considering the overall graduation time and having to spend a lot on med school, besides all the competition to get in.

My suggestion to C was to enroll in this reputed quantitatie finance program for undergrad which was offering a very decent scholarship also, while simultaneously pursuing pre-med plans and above was the rationale given by C.

[helix8]

Did anyone have their University of Oklahoma MHSP Interview today? If so, what was it like? Do you have any suggestions or advice on how to prepare?

[MD2028]

Yes. It was great. @helix8

[rk2017]

@mi2019

if one cares for med school match list

Below are latest 2020 match lists

Nu

https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/md-education/current-students/career-development/residency-application-process/match-results/

Brown

https://medical.brown.edu/about/facts-and-figures/match-lists/2020-match-list

Don’t go by residency match lists or what some local website says about their rankings as the only criteria.
Times higher, a world wide renowned outfit, gives a more realistic on the ground picture and considers both the med schools more or less on par. I bet most of the Brown students choose to go to primary fields for residencies intentionally but end up getting into coveted fellowships following that.

[OmGV2020]

@helix8

Did anyone have their University of Oklahoma MHSP Interview today? If so, what was it like? Do you have any suggestions or advice on how to prepare?

My DS completed today, standard interview, based on app, essay and environs. V r from Oklahoma too so some were based on that. 20/25 min and Dr. Tracy was nice. Be relaxed, no surprises. Good luck.