<p>It is a well known fact that combinedBSMD programs are competitive and intended for people that have made up their mind and have the mental stamina to last the 7-8 years in one school. With the exception of top rated combined programs (NW, RiceBaylor, Brown) would you choose an IvyUG (traditional path) over a second-tier combined BSMD (such as PennState, UPitt, UMiami )? </p>
<p>Sure there are considerations such as > how tough are you mentally? > Do you want to sweat it out for 4 years maintaining a high GPA and preparing for MCAT > the whole MedSchool admission process etc. Assuming you can deal with all those challenges if you had to choose between a second-tier BSMD vs. Ivy (Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) UG what would you do? Let us not argue about the precise definition of 'second-tier'. It is not meant to be derogatory. It comes down to issues such as - Relevance and merits of Ivy UG degree after you finish MedSchool? Competition to MedSchool admission with high-GPA applicants from non-Ivy ; benefits of Ivy gene pool etc. I would love to hear the perspectives of Ivy Pre-Med students/graduates. Would you have chosen a combined program if you could turn back the clock?</p>
<p>55% of med school applicants get turned away every year and that’s after the weeding out process. They end up in the Peace Corp or some other entity for years.</p>
<p>I am so grateful to have gotten into a combined program. Now I just have to choose between having a life at a lesser program or going to the best program…It’s a big decision, but better to be in this position… </p>
<p>I wouldn’t want to go through this again in another four years. It has been exhausting and a real roller coaster. Everyone I met on the circuit felt the same way…</p>
<p>I think the OP is referring to the undergrad portion of the BS/MD program as top rated. NW HPME does seem very attractive for the fact that it combines a tier 1 undergrad school with a tier 1 med school combined with a good location. I would agree that it would be hard to turn an HPME admit down in favor of an Ivy undergrad and the potential for a future spot at a good med school, especially if you are sure of a future career in medicine. I have seen several people get derailed during their undergrad years because of low GPAs or MCATs, etc…</p>
<p>Sorry, but these medical schools are actually top medical schools, not “second-tier” or even middle/low tier medical schools. In fact, Brown’s and Northwestern’s medical school are ranked lower than UPitt in research. Even the undergraduate institutions as rated by USWNR are also in the top (1st) tier (Jefferson’s being Penn State), so it still doesn’t hold regardless if the OP was referring to the undergraduate institution or medical school.</p>
<p>I would suggest going with UMiami Combined program rather than Ivy. But if you are willing to work hard in Ivy and apply after 4 years to another Ivy med school, and get in then that scenario would be better than Umiami combined.</p>