After all the discussions and knowledge shared on this forum about CNU, no kid/parent should be desperate to consider BSMD there. Who goes there are the ones with no knowledge of the program, may be.
Pressure interviews commonly done as a way for medical schools to evaluate an applicantâs ability to think under pressure and stay calm in stressful situations - a skill that is required in future physicians.
Casper test is done by some colleges to test that.
This is true. However, NJMS doesnât use CASPer and IMO, interacting with another person is a more accurate representation of an applicantâs handling of stress than a computer based and typed response.
Right, they get to see the body language and facial expressions especially in person or video interviews
From their BSMD, they donât have UG besides BSMD as per I know.
Most of these things are available pretty much at any established school.
Thatâs what I meant, they did UG and then couldnât advance to MD even after meeting their requirements
Someone cited in the below forum stating that there were 22 students who got the 510+ MCAT and 3.5+ GPA. 4 students were rejected, 2 were waitlisted, 4 were accepted, and the other 14 students have been completely ignored (no decision after their interview or no interview invite).
I believe thereâs a significant difference how one interacts/reacts on a computer vs. âface-to-faceâ interaction.
Wouldnât the 14 âignoredâ BSMD students be interpreted as NOT ACCEPTED? The goal of BSMD program is to get in to medical school. Even being âwait listedâ after meeting ârequirementsâ I would consider a failure, unless they point to the Med school interview as a requirement. Based on limited info presented here, CNU doesnât sound like an attractive option.
Was she happy with her decision?
Reg: NJMS Feeders
Thought of putting together some thoughts before getting busy for the day. Only focusing on NJIT, Rutgers Nwk (RNWK) and TCNJ. Donât think anyone here got through Stevens so not wasting effort on that.
Academics:
By and large TCNJ seems to have a better reputation overall. Have known two students who did their undergrad there, went to in state med school without gap years(Robert Wood Johnson) and are very well placed now in their top choice residencies. Also another student currently enrolled there from a reputed public high school, 4.0/1600 stats opting to go there with a partial price break over flagship state university with full ride + additional grants for room and board. Its a small school, more of a liberal arts kind of college.
NJIT does provide good exposure to engineering, computer science, data analytics, big data etc and can provide insights of their roles in modern day health care. Heard they have a minor or something in the latest Cell and Gene Therapy. So if one is interested in that kind of stuff can load enough electives in these areas.
Rutgers Newark, not quite sure on what they are known for - except for a recent controversy with a south asian studies faculty member teaching the usual rubbish in her classes and later to be backed by the dean or the president. They have a Rutgers business school right there, so must be good in economics and business related areas.
Both NJIT and TCNJ give enough flexibility in course or major/minor selections whereas may be restrictive at RNWK.
Urge students to review the notes prepared for interviews on why this particular institution question for each of them to decide.
Location, Logistics and Opportunities:
RNWK, NJIT and NJMS are within few blocks of each other in Newark Downtown. Some parents complained about the NJMS location more like being in inner city kind of feeling, but on the flip side that may give more clinical exposure and case studies than at an upscale facility. Also concerns were raised about the safety aspects, should not be issue if students are careful and use common sense.
Students at RNWK and NJIT can have access to research and ECs at NJMS from day one. If they are willing to travel by train for about 1-1.5 hours will have more opportunities opened up in New York City in the facilities of Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Memorial Sloan Kettering etc. Somethings that may prove valuable if open to the option of applying out later (read below). Also Newark International Airport is close for OOS students travel purposes.
TCNJ is in a semi rural area and Philadelphia is about an hour commute by public transportation. Can explore the research and ECs during the weekends. Philadelphia airport is around the same time, but if getting good price breaks Newark airport is also accessible by taking a train from Princeton (about 1.5 hrs)
Financial awards: For the undergrad NJIT, RNWK and TCNJ in that order for generosity of awards. For med school all BS/BA/MD students irrespective of feeder will be eligible for in state tuition.
Student life:
None of them are known for sports, though all of them have the usual olympic size swimming pools, tennis courts and gym facilities. Also various student clubs and interest groups. RNWK and NJIT have old buildings in a very urban locale and TCNJ has newer buildings and facilities in a contrasting environment. Heard some good things though about the newer NJIT honors dorms for the freshmen. Also one may need to weigh in the possibility of spending all 7 years at one place versus two places (3 + 4 for TCNJ)
Opting/Applying out:
As mentioned all the students will be eligible for instate for med school. But if for some reason they want to explore out or apply to their own in state med schools (either for better known brand names, cheaper, proximity, whatever) or private med schools they can do so provided they give enough advanced notice to the program administration like all other accelerated (7 yr) programs. It is usually early junior year (check with each feeder for the specifics). Then they will mark the slot in the med school as being available and start planning on interviewing more students for that spot in the traditional route. They will also advise the student on facilitating the course completion, major/minor requirements and graduating by the end of the year (or the following year if so desired).
Though NJMS doesnât need any minimum scores on MCAT, most of the BS/BA/MD students have been known to be scoring in the 90 percentiles by the end of sophomore years. With some adequate preparation they can score well into high 90s and then decide. Donât think the gpa will be an issue at any of these. If they like the program and med school can choose to continue or inform the program director of the intentions to withdraw. Depending on oneâs own comfort level they can then start applying out right away or finish the course work early in 3 years, take a gap year to focus on the application process.
Also I am sure there are students/parents here who know more first hand and can chime in.
getting to know NJIT, was your daughter given free housing and boarding / this year they only gave tuition and partial housing. Also how was the commute to NJMS, is it walkable and safe and how did she travel to volunteering by car ?
Casper test is more about MMI type questions/scenarios, IMO.
The campus is safe to walk around but it may be advised not to venture outside the campus by some. Do your own research and if necessary visit the place before deciding.
A sample of 1-2 is not statistically relevant and can not be made in to a generalization. Most of the assertions about GPA and MCAT are just opinions not substantiated facts. TCNJ is not better than Rutgers-NB, IMO. IMO, most students planning to go via regular route choose Rutgers-NB over TCNJ. Only NJMS BSMD folks choose TCNJ because of the fact Rutgers-NB is not an option.
Might be true. When we went to visit TCNJ campus in 2017, this wasnât the case. We went when school was closed, so we might have missed any Starbucks in their Cafeteria, but there was no boba shop or Starbucks or Whole Foods near the TCNJ campus.
Not saying one would decision based on these, but these little things are more important than they might seem and make for your college experience - speaking as someone who went to USC and had to crib a ride to Westwood (UCLA area) if we wanted to have a safe outing.
Yes, Casper test is not about you, itâs about handling tough/uncomfortable situations. My D took it for Hofstra, but didnât get interview invitation.