Out of these med programs...where should I go?

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
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<p>Okay, I've found out decisions about almost all of my colleges/med programs by now.</p>

<p>Here's how it came out:</p>

<p>Accepted:</p>

<p>Northwestern HPME
BU SMED Program
USC Bacc/MD Program (+ Full Ride)
Villanova/Drexel 7-Year Program (+ Full Ride)
Brown University
Johns Hopkins University
UC Berkeley
Rice University</p>

<p>Waitlisted:</p>

<p>Princeton University
Harvard University
Stanford University</p>

<p>Rejected:</p>

<p>Brown PLME
Baylor/Baylor Program (Not offered interview)
Rochester REMS Program (Not offered interview)
Case Western PPSP Progarm (Not offered interview)
University of Miami Program (Not offered interview)</p>

<p>Pending:</p>

<p>Rice/Baylor Program (Interview Next Week)</p>

<p>I would just like your positive/negative comments on what programs/schools you think would be good. I have my own opinions, but I want to know what others think. Thanks!</p>

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<p>i'm in the same boat... pretty much narrowed it down between bacc/md and HPME... looking forward to replies!</p>

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<p>what's the baylor/baylor program?</p>

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<p>Patel bhai, CONGRATS!!!
Answer = Depends: How much money do you want to spend?
If you don't mind paying ~300k, go to HPME -- it is by far one of the best programs out there.</p>

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<p>westcoastlove: Baylor/Baylor is a little known program that has baylor undergard, and baylor college of medicine for med school. (Only 4 spots though!)</p>

<p>hydrogen3k: LoL. Thank you. How did you know my last name is Patel.</p>

<p>Let's just assume money isn't an issue (that's not true). But I just want opinions without financial factors affecting anything.</p>

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<p>Clearly, HPME is the only med program where you get a nationally ranked Med School along with a good undergrad education.</p>

<p>Most of the other programs package mediocre med programs and mediocre undergrad with the only advantage being that you get accepted to both.</p>

<p>I'm just a junior, but this is what I've read, and if I were in your position, I'd commit to HPME. Either that or USC Bacc/MD because you have a fullride.</p>

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<p>How about the UCSD medical scholars program? Did you apply to that?</p>

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<p>Hpme!!!!!!</p>

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<p>i say usc...because you'll be crazily in debt otherwise </p>

<p>and yer guju, so of course yer last name is patel....or a shah, like me hahaha</p>

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<p>xcrunner18: True, but if you've read hydrogen3k's discussion about prestige in medicine, it doesn't matter a lot. Basically, I'm just looking forward to getting a good residency while still having fun (@ least during undergrad).</p>

<p>jonthelin: I think that's for Cali residents only. </p>

<p>schrizto: LoL...you sure?</p>

<p>PipingHotTofu: A good point, but let's say money is not a factor. Even though it is, I don't want that to be the determining factor as to where I will go.</p>

<p>I think it has come down to either USC's Bacc/MD or Northwestern's HPME. (And if I get into Rice/Baylor next week, that will have some consideration as well.)</p>

<p>Definitely, from an academic standpoint...Northwestern would be the better choice.
Probably, from a social standpoint...USC would be the better choice. </p>

<p>Can anyone in either of the programs comment on how they like it? Or if anybody else knows anything about the schools/programs in detail...list some pros/cons?</p>

<p>I had some USC Bacc/MDers tell me that they love USC and that is the best place ever. Probably because they're able to study at top 25 school while still having great weather, football games, lakers, parties, hot girls, etc.</p>

<p>On the flipside I have heard Northwestern is pretty intense, especially in the sciences. (Ex. I heard students joke that NU O Chem is tougher than @ Harvard) I heard a lot of NU students dislike it. And that it might be pretty tough keeping that 3.2 GPA especially with the trimester system. But then again, you do get out of the MCAT. </p>

<p>I don't think I'm a genius in any case. I just worked pretty hard in high school. Therefore, I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up with some the HPME people who are probably super genius? I definitely don't want to be forced to drop out of HPME! Does that happen a lot? Somebody calm my worries? How's NU's social scene? </p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

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<p>wow.. just had to say that last post completely epitomizes my feelings right now. if we go to NU we can be non-super-genuises together</p>

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<p>Why not go to University of Washington, we have like the #2 in the nation up here, and I bet its quite a bit cheaper than any of these other colleges that you are listing</p>

<p>Edit: #1 on some rankings, such as USNews, $38k a year tuition for out of state medical school students</p>

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<p>killahkosha: I think it's a little too late for me to apply.</p>

<p>cirohpue: LoL. I'm glad to hear that someone is feeling the same way I am. Hmm...maybe the majority in HPME are like us...and the minority are those people who can read a textbook in one sitting!</p>

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<p>as for as social scene, my friend is in HPME and tells me theres very few attractive girls there (and i'm assuming you're a guy) hahah</p>

<p>USC would be much better for social, plus they've got an amazing football team, a breathtaking campus, and much better weather than chicago.... i'd go for USC</p>

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<ol>
<li>go to brown</li>
<li>do well, </li>
<li>apply to Harvard, UCSF, Stanford, Hopkins, and Penn for med school</li>
<li>be one of the dozens of students who get accepted each year</li>
<li>attend one of the above schools</li>
<li>match into an amazing residency</li>
</ol>

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<p>abnime: Crap. It's so hard to decide between whether I want better name/academics (HPME) or a better social scene (USC).</p>

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<p>Go to HPME!!! Then, if you want, apply out your third year (if you think you can do better...)</p>

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<p>no mcat:
RPI/AMC, Union/AMC, VCU/MCV</p>

<p>yes mcat:
U of Cin/UCCOM, Miami(OH)/UCCOM, USI/IU</p>

<p>Which one should I choose??</p>

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<p>The guys I stayed with overnight b4 my HPME interviews didn't seem like geniuses to me (both were in HPME) and they said that keeping up a 3.2 is a joke. Getting that GPA is actually EASIER in the quarter system b/c if you screw up one quarter, then you can easily make that up in the next few quarters.</p>

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<p>well gujugeek, it depends on yer interests...like you said, usc > in terms of social aspect and northwestern > in terms of academics. With that being said, if you can get into hpme and usc's program, i don't see how you can lose choosing either option when it comes to residency matching. I'd pick usc because in my opinion, its more laidback and i'm big on the football thing....but hey, i wouldn't mind northwestern either!</p>