University of the Science's Dual Degree Program? (The Commonwealth Medical College)

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
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<p>Hey CC! I'm a senior in high school that just got accepted into University of the Sciences with 16K a year. The admissions counselor there called me and said that I qualified for their Dual Degree Program that they have with The Commonwealth Medical College. </p>

<p>Now, this program is pretty easy to get into (compared to other BSMD/Dual Degree Programs)
Eligibility: 3.4 GPA, 1200 CR/M SAT, 25 ACT, and top 20% in your school.</p>

<p>Has anyone ever heard of The Commonwealth Medical College? I've researched good reviews and whatnot. But I have other really great opportunities at IUPUI and NIU that I'm tempted to look into. If this Dual Degree Program is legit and I really like both campuses, then I'll go for it. But I'm just wondering, because there is a lack of knowledge about USciences, if you guys could give me some more info about USciences and TCMC.</p>

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<p>I think it’s relatively new combined program, as TCMC is a relatively new medical school in Scranton, PA: <a href=“http://www.usciences.edu/academics/programs/premed/dualdegree/tcmc.aspx”>http://www.usciences.edu/academics/programs/premed/dualdegree/tcmc.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I know that many MD’s and medical folks (DDS, PT, RN’s too) have had a great experiences at IUPUI. Small community feel (but in a big city) that will follow you throughout your whole student career. Your Freshman profs could be your mentor throughout your entire professional life.</p>

<p>You never mentioned what your goals were, so I dont want to go down the wrong path.</p>

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<p>Do you think it is “any good” for lack of a better phrase? The lower score requirements could either be because the program isn’t as good or because it’s new, so they encourage students to join… but idk @‌roentgen </p>

<p>@goodkidsdad I want to become a surgeon. And yeah, my sister works at the medical school too, which is cool. I have a lot to think about because not having to deal with the stress of applying to medical school would be great (I know I would still need to meet requirements in a BSMD program, but it’s nice to know that you’re basically already in). </p>

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<p>So, the docs that get their MD’s at iPFW or IUPUI with a Medical school attached make the same salary as those that went to Harvard. The reason why is the integrated health systems. In other words, most physicians are employees of major “for profit” systems or Health systems now. As long as you keep your board certifications up you will do very well. Only you will save about 150k.</p>

<p>Both IPFW and IUPUI have Indiana University Medical Schools attached. A very good Medical School. Fort Wayne is known for Family Practice Residency and Orthopedics as it works With companies in Warsaw. Indianapolis is the Medical hub. Both have good access to clinical rotations.</p>

<p>So the valedictorian of our local school is going to IPFW undergrad with the path all the way through to his md.</p>

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<p>@goodkidsdad But when comparing my original USciences vs. IUPUI… which? Ya know? </p>

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<p>@bozllie Those stats are the minimum requirements, not necessarily the actual admit data. Matriculating class usually has much higher stats than the minimum requirements.</p>

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<p>@upstream That is an EXTREMELY good point. Thank you!</p>

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<p>@bozlie: What I know is what people tell me. But, in general it’s the MD that matters. Not so much where you got it… </p>

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<p>@Goodkidsdad, that very much depends on what specialty you’re going for. All MD degrees aren’t treated equal even in all US medical schools.</p>

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<p>@bozlie: You can ask @IMGDAD regarding USciences/TCMC program since his son got accepted into this program last year. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>@bozlie, yes, my son is in the program. </p>

<p>Before going into the good and bad sides of the program, except for a few combined programs that have very good UG schools (e.g. Rice/Baylor, WUSTL, and maybe BU SMED program), if you go to a combined program, you will most likely end up in a UG school that you normally would not have applied to and most of you could easily have got into some of the top UG schools that do not have any combined program. So, the guarantee or near guarantee place you are offered in the med school comes with some sacrifices that you will have to accept.</p>

<p>The USciences program is a legit program. It is new and the first batch only had one graduate (last year) and apparently the student applied out and ended at Thomas Jefferson. The good thing about the program is that you can apply out if you wish to do so, without forfeiting the advantage. However, you are NOT offered a guaranteed place in the Scranton medical school, but is guaranteed an interview if you keep up with your GPA and MCAT score. I suspect that as long as both are comparable to those accepted into the Scranton medical school, you will most likely be guaranteed a place, unless you bomb the interview.</p>

<p>The Commonwealth Medical College is a community medical school. It is actually ranked, within PA, higher than Penn State College of Medicine.</p>

<p>USciences is a small, primarily Pharmacy, school. Most of the students are in the combined Pharmacy program. The Honors program is good (from the sound of it, you will get into the Honors program) and the residence for Honors students are very nice. According to my son, the academics is okay and fairly rigorous and the classes are small. USciences is located within the University City, so it is within walking distance from UPenn and Drexel. </p>

<p>Downside: 1. Most of the students are from NJ and so many go home for the weekend. Therefore, campus is rather quiet on the weekend. 2. If you are in the program, you will be “advised” against transferring any of your previous college or AP credits because USciences wants to “make sure that you will meet the GPA requirements for The Commonwealth Medical College”. My son has nearly 50 credits and he is not transferring them. 3. This is a Science school. So if you wish to take an art minor, you will have to take the courses at University of the Arts, its sister school. </p>

<p>My son got the UG acceptance very early too and offered the same amount of scholarship as you have been offered. Although you are invited to apply for the program, you will still have to go through an interview for the program. </p>

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<p>Hi, how exactly did you apply to this program? Common app is not giving me the option to select a dual degree program and I can’t find any info online so if you could let me know that would be great!</p>

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<p>If you say your desired major is pre-med then ull get a couple letters in the mail (like, i got a phone call from them, then a letter of acceptance into the honors college then a week later i got the information about the dual degree) @pranathia3 </p>

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@imgdad @bozllie @upstream @Goodkidsdad @Roentgen I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if any of you knew the average scores for this program. I’m currently a sophomore in high school, and am interested in this program so I was wondering what scores I should aim for. I’ve looked at the elibilities on their website, but am assuming I’ll need to do better.