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

[srk2017]

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@NoviceDad

@grtd2010
Are you saying we are going to live with COVID19 for 4 years? 7 years? 8 years?

If yes, no amount of deferment of college will help. And in that scenario, the virus will be in all locations - every major location will be an epicenter.

If no, then you agree it is temporary. Then why make your long-term decision based on a temporary factor.

No, just take precaution because in next few months, there is uncertainty. It is a risk mitigation strategy for short term, e.g. Folks start selling stocks and go into short term treasuries as a way to mitigate uncertainty in near term.

Are you suggesting to do same for mortgage? One size doesn’t fit all.

What do you mean mortgage - it is a debt to some one else. If one can not pay it, work with the lender. Unless you are talking about mortgage backed obligations (MBO) that are sold as securities of various tranches to investors. The analysis of MBOs is complex and depends on many factors.

I meant sell your house too because you have some financial hardship in current environment. Finance lens doesn’t work everywhere, like current situation, throwing money in market will not find vaccine. Same way delaying academics is not going to solve the underlying issue whether its a grade, a MCAT, a rotation, or residency. In fact it will force some students to apply for med school after a year as lack of time, opportunities weakens their overall profile. One can’t find a substitute for time.

Some folks may do what you have suggested to avoid foreclosure or for some other reasons. It may be a suitable option to them. There may be short term solutions and strategies that may work for some. Sure , time is a critical element in all this.

And you think in adverse finance conditions in world, someone will buy that?
Your solution for academics delay is like that, current application cycle for UG or BS/MD that is not advisable. If current environment continues in fall, there may be some substantial savings on room and board as one is studying online, i won’t use that as reason to join but that is how your financial arguments to delay sounds like.

In my view, life is more important than anything else. One can always get a MD degree if alive. One is more safe in home as far as life is concerned. See the rising statistics every day.

No one will advocate for going back to school if it’s not under control. I don’t think any university will open the campus if Covid cases are still high. So these arguments are useless However Covid-19 won’t be fully contained just like flu.

[grtd2010]

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@NoviceDad

@grtd2010
Are you saying we are going to live with COVID19 for 4 years? 7 years? 8 years?

If yes, no amount of deferment of college will help. And in that scenario, the virus will be in all locations - every major location will be an epicenter.

If no, then you agree it is temporary. Then why make your long-term decision based on a temporary factor.

No, just take precaution because in next few months, there is uncertainty. It is a risk mitigation strategy for short term, e.g. Folks start selling stocks and go into short term treasuries as a way to mitigate uncertainty in near term.

Are you suggesting to do same for mortgage? One size doesn’t fit all.

What do you mean mortgage - it is a debt to some one else. If one can not pay it, work with the lender. Unless you are talking about mortgage backed obligations (MBO) that are sold as securities of various tranches to investors. The analysis of MBOs is complex and depends on many factors.

I meant sell your house too because you have some financial hardship in current environment. Finance lens doesn’t work everywhere, like current situation, throwing money in market will not find vaccine. Same way delaying academics is not going to solve the underlying issue whether its a grade, a MCAT, a rotation, or residency. In fact it will force some students to apply for med school after a year as lack of time, opportunities weakens their overall profile. One can’t find a substitute for time.

Some folks may do what you have suggested to avoid foreclosure or for some other reasons. It may be a suitable option to them. There may be short term solutions and strategies that may work for some. Sure , time is a critical element in all this.

And you think in adverse finance conditions in world, someone will buy that?
Your solution for academics delay is like that, current application cycle for UG or BS/MD that is not advisable. If current environment continues in fall, there may be some substantial savings on room and board as one is studying online, i won’t use that as reason to join but that is how your financial arguments to delay sounds like.

In my view, life is more important than anything else. One can always get a MD degree if alive. One is more safe in home as far as life is concerned.

Ofc, that is why universities are doing online classes, not on campus. Life is not jeopardize when you are studying online from home and not hindering academic progress. So you defy your own argument to delay academics for upcoming fall.

Stay home and do virtual learning if possible. There is no argument here.
If one is highly risk-averse, one can take a semester break and defer enrollment. It all depends on one’s risk tolerance level. It is an individual choice, may not be applicable to everyone.

[srk2017]

Can we go back to USNWR rankings or BSMD vs traditional path

[grtd2010]

@srk2017

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@NoviceDad

@grtd2010
Are you saying we are going to live with COVID19 for 4 years? 7 years? 8 years?

If yes, no amount of deferment of college will help. And in that scenario, the virus will be in all locations - every major location will be an epicenter.

If no, then you agree it is temporary. Then why make your long-term decision based on a temporary factor.

No, just take precaution because in next few months, there is uncertainty. It is a risk mitigation strategy for short term, e.g. Folks start selling stocks and go into short term treasuries as a way to mitigate uncertainty in near term.

Are you suggesting to do same for mortgage? One size doesn’t fit all.

What do you mean mortgage - it is a debt to some one else. If one can not pay it, work with the lender. Unless you are talking about mortgage backed obligations (MBO) that are sold as securities of various tranches to investors. The analysis of MBOs is complex and depends on many factors.

I meant sell your house too because you have some financial hardship in current environment. Finance lens doesn’t work everywhere, like current situation, throwing money in market will not find vaccine. Same way delaying academics is not going to solve the underlying issue whether its a grade, a MCAT, a rotation, or residency. In fact it will force some students to apply for med school after a year as lack of time, opportunities weakens their overall profile. One can’t find a substitute for time.

Some folks may do what you have suggested to avoid foreclosure or for some other reasons. It may be a suitable option to them. There may be short term solutions and strategies that may work for some. Sure , time is a critical element in all this.

And you think in adverse finance conditions in world, someone will buy that?
Your solution for academics delay is like that, current application cycle for UG or BS/MD that is not advisable. If current environment continues in fall, there may be some substantial savings on room and board as one is studying online, i won’t use that as reason to join but that is how your financial arguments to delay sounds like.

In my view, life is more important than anything else. One can always get a MD degree if alive. One is more safe in home as far as life is concerned. See the rising statistics every day.

No one will advocate for going back to school if it’s not under control. I don’t think any university will open the campus if Covid cases are still high. So these arguments are useless However Covid-19 won’t be fully contained just like flu.

Hopefully, there will be some mitigating options like a vaccine or some preventive therapies available to masses in future.

[ROSSX2]

@srk2017

wink: how will covid-19 affect USNWR and Times. Which one be more meaningful?

[PPofEngrDr]

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@PPofEngrDr

@grtd2010

@NoviceDad

@grtd2010
Are you saying we are going to live with COVID19 for 4 years? 7 years? 8 years?

If yes, no amount of deferment of college will help. And in that scenario, the virus will be in all locations - every major location will be an epicenter.

If no, then you agree it is temporary. Then why make your long-term decision based on a temporary factor.

No, just take precaution because in next few months, there is uncertainty. It is a risk mitigation strategy for short term, e.g. Folks start selling stocks and go into short term treasuries as a way to mitigate uncertainty in near term.

Are you suggesting to do same for mortgage? One size doesn’t fit all.

What do you mean mortgage - it is a debt to some one else. If one can not pay it, work with the lender. Unless you are talking about mortgage backed obligations (MBO) that are sold as securities of various tranches to investors. The analysis of MBOs is complex and depends on many factors.

I meant sell your house too because you have some financial hardship in current environment. Finance lens doesn’t work everywhere, like current situation, throwing money in market will not find vaccine. Same way delaying academics is not going to solve the underlying issue whether its a grade, a MCAT, a rotation, or residency. In fact it will force some students to apply for med school after a year as lack of time, opportunities weakens their overall profile. One can’t find a substitute for time.

Some folks may do what you have suggested to avoid foreclosure or for some other reasons. It may be a suitable option to them. There may be short term solutions and strategies that may work for some. Sure , time is a critical element in all this.

And you think in adverse finance conditions in world, someone will buy that?
Your solution for academics delay is like that, current application cycle for UG or BS/MD that is not advisable. If current environment continues in fall, there may be some substantial savings on room and board as one is studying online, i won’t use that as reason to join but that is how your financial arguments to delay sounds like.

In my view, life is more important than anything else. One can always get a MD degree if alive. One is more safe in home as far as life is concerned.

Ofc, that is why universities are doing online classes, not on campus. Life is not jeopardize when you are studying online from home and not hindering academic progress. So you defy your own argument to delay academics for upcoming fall.

Stay home and do virtual learning if possible. There is no argument here.
If one is highly risk-averse, one can take a semester break and defer enrollment. It all depends on one’s risk tolerance level. It is an individual choice, may not be applicable to everyone.

Even if one is highly risk-averse, learning online from home (or any other remote place where it is not brewing) mitigates that life risk. I don’t see any reason for upcoming freshman to delay academics. What you are defining as risk tolerance may fall into fear anxiety.
This may make sense if someone is about to start medical school but take a gap year to relax their mind from all hoopla and travel to a non hit area for a year. But even then, one may loose once in a generations real life experience that may be learned by staying with medical school.
If high risk is paramount, all dedicated healthcare professionals would have walk away from current crisis, but reality says something else.

[PPofEngrDr]

@ROSSX2

@srk2017

wink: how will covid-19 affect USNWR and Times. Which one be more meaningful?

as meaningful as Hydrochlo… :lol:

[WCSeniorsDad]

All,
I am learning a lot from this forum about med school, pre med and bs/md programs. My DD applied to only one rice/baylor bs-md program and that didn’t workout. Got admissions from Duke, UCLA, UCSD, UCB, UW, Rice, CMU. Will be majoring in Neuroscience/Molecular Biology. Any advice on which program is better? Leaning more towards California due to location choice.

[GoldenRock]

@WCSeniorsDad
What is your state? Is cost involved in your decision making (did u get any aid for any school?

Assume you are CA and if so, choose what ever student feels comfortable among 3 UCs if cost is in equation. If no issue to pay full price, Rice is a good choice. Won’t recommend UW. Neutral on Duke and CMU.

CMU nothing

[WCSeniorsDad]

@GoldenRock. Cost is not a factor. Did get UC regents scholarship. UCLA, UCSD, UCB is the top three choices but didn;t visit any of them yet.

[sguni_2016]

@NoviceDad

@brainbuilder02

UPitt just sent an email with an interview update. For those that are accepting to interview in the fall, and are offered admission at UPMC, they will have upto 1 year to transfer to UPitt GAP.

Great decision by UPitt.
This surely makes life easy for most GAP candidates.

So they will have 1 year to join UPitt undergrad? what will they do in the mean time? Take a GAP year? Can you explain this to me please?

[sguni_2016]

@brainbuilder02

@NoviceDad

Folks

re: UPitt GAP

What does the communication from UPitt say?

Are you required to commit to Pitt undergrad now? irrespective of the interview outcome?
If no, what is your status with UPitt? Application under review? waitlisted? admitted?

How will you avoid “double depositing”?

Bylaws need a F2F interview; interviews pushed to September; if we need a shot at the interview [for those that were offered the interview], we would need to commit to UPitt.

What if one is not selected for GAP then? Isn’t one is going to be locked with UPitt? This would also complicate if you have other BS MD offers.

[sguni_2016]

@ricesondad

what was your D’s college of choice?

[rk2017]

@WCSeniorsDad

All,
I am learning a lot from this forum about med school, pre med and bs/md programs. My DD applied to only one rice/baylor bs-md program and that didn’t workout. Got admissions from Duke, UCLA, UCSD, UCB, UW, Rice, CMU. Will be majoring in Neuroscience/Molecular Biology. Any advice on which program is better? Leaning more towards California due to location choice.

Consider the grade deflation at each of them if medicine is the eventual target. Believe all the above mentioned UCs have the issue. Rice seems to be the opposite, grade inflated as per someone’s recent post here. If prestige seeking, Duke will be the choice (but may be tough in grading, find out)

[NoviceDad]

@sguni_2016

@brainbuilder02 indicated UPitt will allow transfer - this means you can join another college till your interview.
If you get selected, they will give you upto 1 year to transfer from your current college to UPitt - GAP.

[srk2017]

@WCSeniorsDad

@GoldenRock. Cost is not a factor. Did get UC regents scholarship. UCLA, UCSD, UCB is the top three choices but didn;t visit any of them yet.

Which UC did your DD get Regents? If cost is not a factor at all I would go with Rice.

[Vicky2019]

@WCSeniorsDad

All,
I am learning a lot from this forum about med school, pre med and bs/md programs. My DD applied to only one rice/baylor bs-md program and that didn’t workout. Got admissions from Duke, UCLA, UCSD, UCB, UW, Rice, CMU. Will be majoring in Neuroscience/Molecular Biology. Any advice on which program is better? Leaning more towards California due to location choice.

What was the reason for not applying to BS/MD program? some reasons i can think of -

1. not sure of medicine as a career
   
2. decide medicine as a career quite late in the HS and didn't have time to accumulate medically related experience
3. wanted to go for prestigious UG

depending on the answer to the above, you need to figure out best course of action.

Based on reasons for 1) & 3) - Duke being T10 could be the top choice. UCLA and UCB would be in-state options. Since medicine is 8+ years financial commitment, California schools will be cheaper in the long run.

If DD has plenty of APs and some medically experience then encouraging DD for early assurance program at CMU MED may provide early guarantee. With your DD’s caliber CMU may one of the easier colleges for her -

https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/AcademicAffairs/Honors/Pages/CMed-Honors-Early-Assurance-Program.aspx

[srk2017]

@ROSSX2

@srk2017

wink: how will covid-19 affect USNWR and Times. Which one be more meaningful?

USNWR will go by COVID-19 funding received by each school (research ranking) and how well associated hospitals treated patients (primary care ranking) Times will ask how well international students are treated by the school

[Nvidia20]

@NoviceDad

@sguni_2016

@brainbuilder02 indicated UPitt will allow transfer - this means you can join another college till your interview.
If you get selected, they will give you upto 1 year to transfer from your current college to UPitt - GAP.

Great news. Which program is better PPSP or GAP?

[rk2017]

@Vicky2019

CMU = Carnegie Mellon University

Just as BU = Boston University, referred to almost inevitably by everyone and not for Baylor University or Brown University.