<p>I think this should be an interesting topic. If accepted to a (BS/BA)/(MD/DO) program, what would be a reason for you to decline?</p>
<p>If it’s financially impossible for you to handle.</p>
<p>If the prestige of an undergraduate university is greater than a guarantee to medical school in your opinion.</p>
<p>There’s already a thread for this topic. Search ‘Rejecting a BS-MD’ or something like that.</p>
<p>Financial constraint is the biggest reason. For instance, Boston Univ’s program is very expensive and the cost deters acceptance of the program. Other reason could be that the low tier bs/md programs are not worth the “gaurantee” incentive.</p>
<p>There is no reason in a world to apply to school that you cannot afford. So, assumption is that applicant got accepted to place(s) that he can afford financially. If so, there is no reason to decline. "Prestige of an undergraduate university …and medical school " is superficial concept that will not help you in achieving any goal. Actually relying on “prestige” might backfire badly crushing your dreams.</p>
<p>Not this again, Miami. Of course you would apply to schools that are expensive for you; there’s always a chance for you to get scholarships. Secondly, your opinion is that prestige is less important than a guarantee to medical school; that’s not the case for everyone. </p>
<p>I’m not saying your wrong (in fact, I’m turning down prestigious schools to go to a medical program), but at the same time you need to realize that people have varying opinions. Prestige, for some people, is not a superficial concept, and you need to respect that. To put it another way, relying on a bs/md program could also backfire which could also crush your dreams.</p>
<p>I did not say anything about right or wrong. Apparently everybody has different opinion and some have unlimited resources. I said that prestige “will not help you in achieving any goal”. This is not my opinion, it is a fact. My opinion is completely irrelevant even for making my own decisions.</p>
<p>^Once again, that is your opinion, not a fact. Prestige can clearly help you achieve your goal. Ever heard of name recognition? That’s only one thing. Other things include better research opportunities (if your goal is to do research), better facilities, etc. I don’t have to explain this to you, you’ve put a child through college already.</p>
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<p>I think we’re under the assumption here that a “goal” is one that is pragmatic. What does “name recognition” have anything to do with what is realistic? Great, you have a diploma from Harvard but it doesn’t mean ****. What you are going to do with it is what counts.</p>
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<p>What does a “Better’” research opportunity even mean? I mean, as an undergrad, no matter where you are, you’ll be doing the same generic things…pipetting, dissecting, experimenting here and there. You may also do research projects of your own and work on them getting published. But you don’t need the name of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc to do that for you.</p>
<p>And better facility? really? So, you’re telling me that if a building looks really crappy, it has the potential to affect my academic performance? lol really? I guess personal motivation and intellect have no meaning nowadays.</p>
<p>Name recognition can allow you to get into research opportunities and higher-end medical schools (you may disagree if you wish, but name recognition plays a role in these things), thus allowing you achieve your goals. I didn’t think I needed to connect the dots for you, but I guess you require me to do so.</p>
<p>Better research opportunities means those that are pertinent to your area of interest. You may be able to pursue research at every university, but perhaps only certain prestigious universities have the funds and labs to allow you to do the research you want to do. </p>
<p>Gosh, facilities doesn’t mean the building; are you really this narrow minded? Better research facilities means that you can work with the latest technology in a wide range of subjects. </p>
<p>Once again, I’m not saying prestige trumps a guarantee, as I have chosen the guarantee over prestige myself.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/multiple-degree-programs/1094035-rejecting-bs-md-program.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/multiple-degree-programs/1094035-rejecting-bs-md-program.html</a></p>
<p>9 pages of this discussion.</p>
<p>I would only decline if I were not certain I wanted to be a physician. A sure bet is the way to go…
MD and parent of college kid and staff at med center</p>
<p>“Other things include better research opportunities (if your goal is to do research), better facilities, etc. I don’t have to explain this to you, you’ve put a child through college already.”</p>
<p>-Again, this is just an opinon, not the fact. Not one child, children. They had great opportunities where they went (no name recognition whatsoever), and they achieved beyond expectations as of now. Nobody can predict future. But I agree, people can achieve with “name recognition” also, it just does not make any difference, at least from real life examples, including many around me and myself. If one work hard, he reaches his goal, otherwise, no “name recognition” will save you, it is common knowledge. However, some people get into trap of “name recognition” and some of them get crushed very badly. Simply cannot rely on it.</p>