<p>good point @MiamiDAP. I’m not sure whether my friend received any merit award from other schools but I’m sure he got some since the combined program’s institute is ranked top 20 as an undergrad. That and the fact that the program is b.a. probably played a substantive role in his decisions. Other programs may be easier to pass up though.</p>
<p>What school is your friend at that is a top 20 UG and has a 7 year ba/md? The only top 20 UGs with ba/md that I know of are Brown and Northwestern, neither of which are 7 years.</p>
<p>I stand corrected before with regard to top 20 medical schools though. In addition to Northwestern, UCSD and Pitt are top 20 medical schools with a program but they are still all 8 years. NW is the closest to a guarantee (cum GPA above 3.0, BCPM above 3.2), UCSD requires a 3.5 cum, and Pitt requires you maintain a 3.75 cum/BCPM GPA which is a GPA that keeps you easily competitive at any medical school and thus Pitt isn’t really doing you any favors.</p>
<p>^actually, my friend is completing the b.a. part at one of the schools you’ve mentioned early in three years (i think it would be blatantly obvious if I reveal which school, but I think you know which one I’m referring to). I believe it’s relatively easy to complete that portion in even 2 years time if you come in with good AP scores but usually the program says you can complete the ug portion within 3-4 years, which will provide a better learning experience. The OP should definitely look in Brown and NU because their programs are highly regarded for students planning to go into medicine early.</p>
<p>My D picked an 8 year and even with 29 AP credits could not graduate early since med school spot can not move up. So she is doing research and writing a thesis senior year.</p>
<p>A 7 year would have been better since you save 25 to 50 grand in tuition which would double with interest over 15 to 20 years of loan repayments. Ap credits make 7 years very workable.</p>
<p>With Organic chem, bio chem, histology, premed students are not having as much fun enjoying college life as other easier majors so you might as well get done with it. Also with surgery, neurosurgeon, cardiac requiring even most experience post medical school why not get your shingle one year earlier?</p>
<p>if you’re not having fun in college as a pre-med you’re doing it wrong.</p>
<p>Agree with Brown. College has been a blast for me. Sure, some days are not that great, but all told, I wouldn’t trade away these years to start working earlier.</p>
<p>"A 7 year would have been better since you save 25 to 50 grand in tuition which would double with interest over 15 to 20 years of loan repayments. "
-Again, this is a general statement, whihc may or may not be applicable to a specific student. My D. was on full tuition Merit award in UG (as very many who are accepted to bs/md’s would be at many places, including privates, and in fact her best friend was on a huge Merit for UG part of the bs/md at the expansive private school).
Being in 7 years program (D. had a choice of accelerated program) would NOT save us any $$ for UG, in fact, it would be much more expansive because this specific program (again at state public) did not offer as much in Merit award. However, the Med. School was much cheaper than D’s Med. School. But we would not trade it for the $$. That is when I stopped her from picking the cheapest option when she was choosing her Med. School.</p>
<p>see if the choice is yours to make ~</p>