More and more traditional path students are taking gap years to get lot of life and research experiences. Average matriculation age is 24 now and BSMD students will be 20-21 if it’s 7 year program or 21-22 for 8 year programs. Also given the cost, majority of the BSMD students are ORMs (mainly Asian) and schools have to take fewer ORMS in remaining seats. Given all that schools don’t see these programs as useful anymore except attracting few smart kids into their ordinary undergraduate programs.
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Anyone who has experience with applying to Hofstra in the past can you please advise on what is specially good about the college and the BS/MD program? There are some colleges which give an immediate feel about either service or research or smaller cohorts etc. and trying to understand any specifics about Hofstra from your knowledge or experience that is unique to Hofstra
One of my daughters is in her 2nd year at a BS/MD 8year program that does not require MCAT. I wish more of these programs existed for students that know they want to go into medicine. It allows her to enjoy her summer and truly be a college student. She obviously has to do well in classes undergrad, but she gets to go through college, explore interests during the summer, and live life before giving it all up for the 7-10 years of medical school/residency.
Many ORM physicians look back regrettably on their college years because they were always studying, doing internships, volunteering, while all their friends got to experience what college is supposed to be.
As a physician, I spent every summer of college padding my CV for medical school or studying for the MCATS. Every summer of medical school was spent fighting for research positions.
Just my 2 cents.
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The decision to drop the programs was taken by the Dean, CEO, and Legal at Upstate.
Their focus is to concentrate and strengthen the Syracuse region. They want more physicians to be in and around Syracuse.
They, in fact, indicated the BS/MD students who matriculate to Upstate performed on par with the regular route students.
I don’t doubt that BSMD students perform on par with regular route admits but they don’t see value of having these programs anymore for reasons I mentioned.
We have one new BSMD in California but it’s limited to certain counties. Other schools could follow same instead of closing.
True, but less than 5% are thru BSMD and more programs are closing than opening. Since your D is in 8 year program she gets to enjoy more. If you are in a 7 year program (most are) you don’t get to enjoy much unless schools accept lot of AP/IB credits.BSMDs do require some volunteering and research but less pressure.
My son did regular/traditional route and enjoyed 4 years of UG with 2 summers in South America and Europe on scholarships.
This year, there were at least 4 new programs that started.
Some close and some open as colleges review their strategies.
Would you mind sharing which four?
Those students who do a gap year or two after undergrad before applying traditional route to medical school don’t need to spend every single summer as you describe. Just saying.
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Even without gap years, those who have a plan from day 1 and executed can enjoy the undergrad. That doesn’t mean I am critical of others. Simply some students need some time to adjust and may require 1 or 2 gap years. I know it’s heart breaking for lot of parents but in the end most of them succeed. Fear of failure drives parents (even physician parents) to push kids towards expensive options. I do see BSMD makes sense for some and advised accordingly over the years.
Are these open to all or targeted to certain demographics?
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Also are these REAL BS/MDs which do not require an interview during undergrad (regardless of whatever name the colleges give them or others call them by)? Or do they require an interview?
Yes, except one which is restricted to in-state students
Yes, they are.
Nova is one. Can you please let me know the other three? Thank you!
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Other 2 are:
University of Houston/ University of Houston Medical School
Ball State University / Indiana University - Muncie (this is for in-state students only)
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Thank you. Missed the deadline for Houston:(
Nova was around for a while, no?
BS/DO was. BS/MD is new this year.
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Interesting. Thank you.