Hey guys, a friend of mine is having a dilemma choosing between these three programs. He is 100% set to become a doctor. He applied to many BS/MD programs but unfortunately, did not get into any of them despite receiving interviews for a few. Cost-wise, both Rutgers and Nova gave him full scholarships for undergrad. He is from NJ so Rutgers is the closest. UMichigan gave very little aid which he can pay through but the less debt, the better. He prefers an MD over a DO but his goal is to become a doctor regardless of the letters after his name. NOVA BS/DO is non-binding so after 4 years, he can apply to any MD or DO schools as he wishes with out forfeiting his seat at NOVA. Nova is also building a allopathic medical school so their is a good chance he will get accepted there is he keeps a high GPA at NOVA and rocks the MCATS. We know that the AOA/ACGME are merging, so it seems that whether he gets a DO or MD doesnt matter since he wants to go into anestiteia. To me, it seems NOVA is the most practical since it is the cheapest, safest, and probably the easiest to keep a high GPA. Thank you, which do you guys think he should choose?
Suggest first PM @Roentgen since only a day or 2 left to make a decision (not sure if he reads all other threads).
Also he can share more info about DO. I have no clue to DO programs since my D was not planning for that. Said that Familiar with Uof Michigan and it is a very good school. But you should check Rutgers if they have any early assurance programs (I think so - Yes see links below) and being local to NJ, that is an option so that during 1st or 2nd year he can get a seat with Rtugers and also with few other schools.
http://www.ncas.rutgers.edu/oas/bamd-program-RWJMS-Rutgers
http://njms.rutgers.edu/admissions/prospective/programs_7_8_year.cfm
Also few other schools have this early program like Uof Florida and some NY Schools.
Also s/he can write MCAT and can apply for more schools. Agree, s/he need to re-group and re-focus and go thru the process but may end up in good MD school.
sorry not much of help, afraid if I am adding confusion.
Aww, thanks for the tag @GoldenRock!!!
Several things:
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I don’t believe high school students as a whole should be applying to Bachelor/DO programs. Bachelor/MD programs are enough of a compromise as it is. It’s a different discussion, so I’ll just leave it at that for now, unless you require more information.
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Regarding the ACGME residency DO/MD merger, while it is true the merger is happening (realize it’s been over a year now and nothing has really merged since they announced which I thought was 1 if not 2 years ago). That doesn’t mean the bias that program directors have will disappear in terms of allopathic vs. osteopathic graduates that they want to recruit will disappear. The quality of osteopathic vs. allopathic residencies (usually community based vs. academic medical center based) is also important. It will be one system but the more academic programs will be favored esp. if you are considering doing a fellowship. The fellowship question is part of why this whole merger even took place.
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NOVA will be an untested allopathic school, with no graduates in which you can make decisions on right now. It’s really no different than California Northstate in terms of track record. I can go into more detail here if needed.
I would do the NJIT/Rutgers NJMS program esp. if he’s from New Jersey.
I think i wasn’t clear. He is from NJ but was only accepted to Rutgers New Brunswick undergrad. He did not get into the 7 year program.
@MITvsCaltech, what has been the success rate in terms of those who apply out of the NOVA BS/DO program? How many per class, and where have those people gone to for med school?
@MITvsCaltech It is understood that he did not get 7 year BS/MD program at Rutgers. But even if you do just BS in Rutgers, there are options like Early Assurance Program which will enable him to get a MD seat during BS itself.
With what @Roentgen briefed, DO especially in Nova is not a good choice. For example the other school he compared California North State, I won’t even blink not to recommend any one.
Especially if he is NJ resident and got full scholarship/aid, it makes sense to go with Rutgers at New Brunswick. GL
So several things:
Rutgers: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rutgers-6964 - #72
NOVA: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/nova-1509 - RNP = “Rank Not Published means that U.S. News calculated a numerical rank and overall score for that school, but decided for editorial reasons not to publish them on usnews.com. U.S. News publishes numerical ranks for only the top three-fourths of each ranking category. Schools labeled Rank Not Published are in the bottom 25 percent of their ranking category.”
In terms of undergraduate caliber, NOVA and Rutgers are not on the same scale. NOVA is in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The only medical research going on would be in cities like Miami (Miami-Miller), Tampa (USF), or in Gainesville (UF), so I have to wonder how much research and healthcare experience (esp. at academic hospitals) you’d be able to really get involved in in order to be able to apply out. Not having any student debt from Rutgers is a great deal (w/NOVA, not surprised about the offer, since they’re not really that great caliber of an undergrad). You can always apply to MD and DO schools and still get offers from DO schools, since their matriculating MCATs and GPAs tend to be lower than allopathic matriculants.
Great link finds, @GoldenRock!!! I think that Early Assurance program is a good one to consider in the first link. I believe the 2nd link doesn’t include Rutgers-New Brunswick.
Hi Roentgen, Would you mind to give more details about the BS/MD CA North State? What’s the disadvantage of it? I know it’s a new program, does it mean lacking of research opportunity? TKS!
Some one nicely summarized the response for the same question in another thread. CA NorthState is a for profit school. It’s basically the ITT Tech, University of Phoenix, or Devry of Medical Schools.