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

[Vicky2019]

@MDhopetoget

@Vicky2019

@MDhopetoget

Remember it is a calling, esp now with the pandemic going on you can assess if you really like medicine. Imagine yourself frontline with COVID pts and you will know if you really want medicine.

We did not sign up for this but I can see my colleagues and myself would never be able to sit at home and not work frontline with all the pts .
Whichever pathway you choose ,make sure your hearts in it.

Thank you to doctors, and other medical personnel who are on the front line against COVID-19 war.

Kudos! and my heartfelt appreciation.

Thanks and good luck to all making decisions .
My child inspite of the pandemic continues to love medicine and wants to serve the community and will be pursuing combined BSMD pathway.

Awesome! All the best to your child. He/she will be in a noble profession

Medical pathway is difficult and time consuming and younger generation need a lot of encouragement to get attracted towards medical profession!

[srk2017]

@MDhopetoget

@Vicky2019

@MDhopetoget

Remember it is a calling, esp now with the pandemic going on you can assess if you really like medicine. Imagine yourself frontline with COVID pts and you will know if you really want medicine.

We did not sign up for this but I can see my colleagues and myself would never be able to sit at home and not work frontline with all the pts .
Whichever pathway you choose ,make sure your hearts in it.

Thank you to doctors, and other medical personnel who are on the front line against COVID-19 war.

Kudos! and my heartfelt appreciation.

Thanks and good luck to all making decisions .
My child inspite of the pandemic continues to love medicine and wants to serve the community and will be pursuing combined BSMD pathway.

So your child is interested in primary care?

[mom2boys1999]

How do you experts see the SAT subject tests playing out for next year? Still part of the process?

I know many schools are going test optional but worried my kid getting his subject tests in. He was taking 3 of them in June, so still possible, but doubtful.

[srk2017]

@Vicky2019

@srk2017

@Vicky2019

@srk2017

@Vicky2019

@brainbuilder02

@srk2017

@MDhopetoget

Debate between BSMD or traditional route:
Depends on how determined your child is on becoming a doctor!! I’ve been on this forum only recently but did review results of students over the past few years and the students joining these combined programs have done exceptionally well in standardized test/GPA/EC In high school and if they continue their hard work in college I don’t see any reason why they wont be getting into competitive residencies. In fact they have more time ( as they don’t have to apply to medical schools now in college)to do research and focus on residency subspecialties they want to specialize in.
So if student is really interested in becoming a doctor this is the way to go. Take it from a doctor parent.
Traditional method is if you are not sure you want to do medicine .

It’s human tendency to slack off if hard work is not needed. So will all these students keep same rigor and engage in strong research, clinical and volunteering opportunities while trying to finish UG in 3 years is debatable. I was hoping more students and parents will report in the thread I created 3 years back.

I am not a doctor but my spouse is and was trained at a T5 medical school and does physician interviews. We see a value in going to top tier schools (not monetary gains).

Someone sent me this interesting information and I haven’t checked it myself.

AAMC published attrition rate, which, for the most recent period (2013-14 matriculation year), shows 5.2% of BS/MDs leave medical school, compared to 3.1% MD-only. Interestingly, this is comprised of 2.9% academic/2.3% non-academic reasons for BS/MDs, compared to 1.3%/1.8% MD-only.

These percentage differences are truly very small. Further, as we all know, one cannot compare percentages without seeing the raw data (n/N) that was used to derive these percentages. Once again, to keep up the morale and motivation of several of us that are going down the BS/MD path - no one path is absolutely right. How do we define success is very critical - is it getting into a T20 medical school, getting into a lab with multi million dollar funding, publishing in high impact factor journals, changing treatment guidelines, or truly impacting patient care one day at a time. The burnout in labs that work round the clock like an assembly line is a topic of several publications. Each person swims in his or her own lane, and they define their success, happiness, purpose, and motivation.

I chose medicine because it is my Ikigai - something I can be passionate about, something that will be give a sense of purpose, something that I can earn a living out of, and something that I can help the community with. A true venn intersection of all these four factors. How I get to the intersection - through a traditional path or BS MD is immaterial. As long as I get to the intersection.

I speak on behalf of several of my peers that are embarking on a BS/MD path.

Well said! I commend you for speaking up and for representing your peers who are starting their BS/MD path. I admire your courage for standing up and for providing inspiration to all the current/future students aspiring to become a Doctor.

Hearing negative comments about BS MDs can be demotivating, hurtful and damaging to the high school students about to start their BS/MD journey.

In my opinion, the most important characteristic of a Doctor is his/her compassion, empathy and love for the fellow human being. Without this, being a doctor is meaningless.

Who made negative comments about BSMD programs (other than the new participant) ? I always said weigh the positives and negatives and select what suits you and alo gave examples of both scenarios.

Also, I don’t think any of the kids who participated commented negatively about either path. It’s the parents and consultants who dominate this thread and come up with -ve stuff to justify their own choices.

@srk2017 -

I was responding to the post from @Brainbuilder02 and his/her point about morale/motivation. A few high schoolers in this forum messaged me privately about morale issues due to the discussions on BS/MD that the new guy started. I was worried about how sensitive teenagers are, especially girls. This was at the back of my mind while responding.

I truly didn’t look at the communication chain to check if you were part of this discussion. Please be assured that my message was not targeted at you.

I know it’s not targeted at me but I also in general don’t like blank accusations i.e. without naming names. Over last few years lot of kids reached out to me (including @Brainbuilder02 ) in private to discuss traditional path vs BSMD and I gave recommendations based on what they shared with me since I have no bias toward either path and I have nothing to gain.

This will be my last cycle to participate in BSMD threads but I will be posting in the experiences thread I created.

Teenage years are challenging and your support and recommendations will be appreciated and remembered fondly by them for years to come

Teenagers are not the problem

[PPofEngrDr]

@scarlet20 Thanks for posting on results thread. Even though your son didn’t make a cut for BS/MD, he has solid profile and can make his way through traditional route. Remember BS/MD is only 5% in grand schema. His thought process reflects in selectively applying to BS/MD programs At this age, lots of kids are indecisive and makes application choices accordingly. We need to hear more and more about results irrespective of outcome.

[PPofEngrDr]

@BuckleUpBuckaRoo thanks for posting on results thread. Your profile portraits one doesn’t need perfect score to secure a spot in BS/MD school, as long as one is willing to settle at any BS/MD program. Just curious, what was your thought process to apply one east coast UG school while rest are west coast?

[srk2017]

@brainbuilder02

@grtd2010

@brainbuilder02

@applestudent23

@MDhopetoget

Debate between BSMD or traditional route:
Depends on how determined your child is on becoming a doctor!! I’ve been on this forum only recently but did review results of students over the past few years and the students joining these combined programs have done exceptionally well in standardized test/GPA/EC In high school and if they continue their hard work in college I don’t see any reason why they wont be getting into competitive residencies. In fact they have more time ( as they don’t have to apply to medical schools now in college)to do research and focus on residency subspecialties they want to specialize in.
So if student is really interested in becoming a doctor this is the way to go. Take it from a doctor parent.
Traditional method is if you are not sure you want to do medicine .

So do you think that BS/MD students (esp those that go to lower tier UG/med school program) will still be able to get competitive residencies? Because rank/reputation does seem to play a significant role in the residency match process…

Please see @dblazer 's amazing post on residencies and do school reputation matters. For example, I have looked up 5 years worth of residency matches for Stony Brook, and they have 100% match and to several top programs. My learning from this research is not every T20 med school has a top residency for every specialty. There may be midtier schools that offer a higher experience based on diversity of patient population.

Grit, optimism, passion, and perseverance got us to these acceptances. These are characteristic traits in our DNA - which will carry us farther as well. We all are striving to reshape the healthcare of our country. Not every patient gets treated at Brighams or MSKCC, or HSS. There are several that get treated at the community level and those doctors equally contribute to our society. That is what matters. Truly.

NJUMS by its urban location can be a good ground to have experience with a wide variety of patients and it is reflected in their residency match. Community hospitals and medical professionals practicing at these hospitals are backbone of the healthcare in USA.

Agree 100%. In my research, I have found that our entire health care system depends on recruiting and retaining creative, high-quality physicians to academia - and this reflects in the choice to be in <T20 schools.

Academic physicians lead the way to medical advancements through research in laboratories, at the bedside, and in the community. They are responsible for educating not only medical students and physicians in training, but also practicing physicians through lectures, journals publications, and conferences that disseminate cutting edge medical knowledge broadly. In addition, physicians at academic medical centers are also often the last vestiges of hope for people with inexplicable or complicated medical problems.

However, most of America relies on its community physicians. There is an enormous need for community-based practicing clinicians. By 2025, the United States will face a shortage of 94,700 physicians. Most chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, OB GYN, autoimmune diseases, even oncological conditions are managed by community based physicians.

Are you already committing to community medicine? Most students decide until M3 ie after few clinical rotations.

[Vicky2019]

@scarlet20 - Thanks for sharing stats for your DS. Congratulations to your DS and your family. His stats are pretty strong and evident from the 16 UG acceptances including from several T20 colleges, presidential scholarships in BU etc.

Majority of the kids are not sure during high school about what they want to do. He will have time to reflect and make his decision during UG years. If his ultimate goal is to become a Doctor, he is better prepared now with the experience he gained from the BSMD application cycle. I would also venture to say that he is ahead of the curve since he will know what to focus on from the day one.

Your reflections are very thoughtful and cover all the bases. Your post will surely help the current students to reflect and future students to come up with their plan.

Wish your DS the very best wherever he chooses to go. He has some excellent college options.

[srk2017]

@MDhopetoget

Remember it is a calling, esp now with the pandemic going on you can assess if you really like medicine. Imagine yourself frontline with COVID pts and you will know if you really want medicine.

We did not sign up for this but I can see my colleagues and myself would never be able to sit at home and not work frontline with all the pts .
Whichever pathway you choose ,make sure your hearts in it.

I am not sure I would say it’s a calling for 16-17 year olds without that much real life experiences. Most BSMD kids are from upper middle class to top 2% families.

[Vicky2019]

@BuckleUpBuckaRoo – Thanks for sharing your stats. Congratulations on your acceptance to SUNY Upstate Medial University, SLU and 7 Undergrad colleges including T20 UG.

From your post, it is clear that you are sure and pretty confident about what you wanted to do. Also, it looks like you researched well to come up with your list of colleges. The college list reflects that you knew you wanted to become a Doctor via BSMD pathway. Inspite of getting into a T20 college, you choose the BSMD program.

I admire your confidence at such a young age. Wish you the very best!

[Vicky2019]

@BuckleUpBuckaRoo - I was impressed with your college list. Would you be willing to share your thought process in coming up with this list?

[dbsmd2027]

Just Declined Union/AMC offer. Someone should be getting off of waitlist

[srk2017]

@dbsmd2027

Just Declined Union/AMC offer. Someone should be getting off of waitlist

Not necessarily. I believe AMC feeder schools make offers to more expecting few declines.

[NoviceDad]

@scarlet20

Thank you for posting your DS’s stats + perspectives.
I am sure there are mixed feelings about how the process turned out.
I am glad to see you are taking it in the right way - as you indicated “The process helped him to grow him better as a person, to get a glimpse of what to expect in the four years and to know what to focus on in his UG years.”

He has many great UG options.
I wish him the very best.

[NoviceDad]

@BuckleUpBuckaRoo
Congratulations!

I see a thought-out strategy in your BSMD college list. Kudos on that.

Wish you the very best.

[NoviceDad]

@dbsmd2027

Just Declined Union/AMC offer. Someone should be getting off of waitlist

Thank you @dbsmd2027
AMC has been calling a few folks to confirm their acceptances.

I believe your decision will help someone.

I would request others who have made a decision to withdraw from programs they know for sure they will NOT attend.

[NoviceDad]

Also @dbsmd2027 - Please share your stats + perspectives in the results thread.

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/multiple-degree-programs/2167174-bs-md-results-class-of-2020.html#latest

[2027dad]

Anyone hear their decision from Baylor to Baylor program? Still waiting…

[NoviceDad]

@mom2boys1999

I see it potentially falling out in 2 ways:

1. Some programs MAY relax the subject test requirements - e.g. will allow Bio instead of Chem or may it completely optional.

2. Some programs MAY change the application / last date to take Subject test deadlines to give more time to students to take the tests.

The more prolonged the SAT tests remain cancelled, the more likely it is for the colleges to opt for the Option 1 .

We will only know more once the current application cycle is complete and ADCOMS start planning for next year.

[junebug20]

@2027dad

Anyone hear their decision from Baylor to Baylor program? Still waiting…

@2027dad
It just came out.