<p>Hi has anyone heard of the penn state 6yr med program which allows students to graduate from med school two years before most other med students. What r the advantages/disadvantages of such a program?</p>
<p>I don't know anything about it. I think I read from a brochure that acceptance is highly competitive, and the minimum SAT is 1450. I'm not really sure though. Their website might have more information regarding the program.</p>
<p>A freshmen on my floor is in it actually. I'm sure its very hard.</p>
<p>It is a very competitive program for entry, but it's also a bit controversial. Many people, including faculty, feel it just creates less well-rounded doctors. It's effectively just removing most of the meat from the 'academic' aspects of becoming a doctor and just turning it into a professional training program. One is deprived of the opportunity for a true undergraduate education complete with diverse range of study </p>
<p>The 'undergraduate' aspect of it is essentially just the first half of a bachelors degree and then at some point later on they just give you a generic degree once your into medical school. The undergraduate courses only cover the basic intro level science courses required for pre-med but one never actually completes a normal undergraduate degree to the full depth of study. A full normal degree can be a very rewarding experience regardless of what career one ends up in. Concequently, the concept of not bothering to complete that just to save two years is really quite silly. I think it's far better to take it at the normal pace and do it properly... then end product is a much better rounded, and educated, person. </p>
<p>I suppose if you're 100% confident that you want to be a doctor (whilst still in high school mind you) and you never want to look back then it might be a reasonable option... but keep in mind many people say that when they start college only to find that in fact they actually like something else even more. If that happens to you halfway through this program then you're a bit screwed.</p>