<p>I was contemplating lately about whether If I was selected as Jefferson Scholar at the University of Virginia-main campus, whether I should turn down acceptances into Union/AMC, Drexel, and VCU GMED. The Union/AMC waives the MCAT requirement and you must simply uphold a certain GPA to be admitted to the Albany Medical College. THese combined programs are certainly competitive in itself, however the Jefferson Scholar selection process is certainly the most difficult in my point of view. I believe they offer funded study abroad programs, funded research (for MED if I so please it), and 100,000 scholarship grant so in the end it would be savin gme an immense amount of $$$. </p>
<p>I have my heart set on the medical field for sure, however I really dont know whether I should give up something like the jefferson scholar at UVA for Union/AMC simpy for the MCAT waiver (the medical school and undergrad in itself are not great). I was attracted simply due to the MCAT exemption, but I figured that if i were a finalist for the jefferson scholarship at the UVA, that I would not need to worry about getting into Med School simply due to the immense amount of "special" opportunities provided as a scholar. I realize it is a huge honor and only 33 are slected out of nearly 1500 nominees. These nominees are chosen on the basis of one per Senior Class in a given school, so even beign nominated is an honor. BUt i think it would work vice versa as well. </p>
<p>let me see if I get this right. you could go to UVA, get a great education, leave their debt free and enriched by so much that the Jefferson Scholarship will provide. OR you could go to another school, rack up lots of debt, but not have to take the MCAT to get into their medical school. Is that the question?</p>
<p>is this a trick? have you lost your mind? ;+)</p>
<p>You take the Jefferson, say thank you very much, and run to Charlottesville and cash it in. Then you begin filling out applications for the Rhodes, Boren, Marshall, and Mitchell Fellowships–because those are the kinds of doors that are opened up by winning the Jefferson. (Then you start writing your Nobel acceptance speech.) There’s nothing at Drexel, Union, or VCU that can bring the benefits of the Jefferson, even if you will have to study for the MCAT.</p>
<p>I’m not affiliated with any of these schools.</p>
<p>The Jefferson scholarship is a highly competitive program independent of UVa run by the Jefferson foundation. They offer approximately 40 full ride scholarships each year, as well as a very tight knit academic community with enrichment opportunities. Since UVa does not offer merit this is an amazing opportunity if offered. A UVa education…free. Students offered this opportunity are outstanding, accomplished kids, and are likely to go on to be highly competitive and success in law/med/grad school acceptances.</p>
<p>OP…not to burst your bubble, but I must back up what blueiguana has said. The Jefferson scholarship is freakishly competitive. Most recipients have multiple ivy acceptances. To even entertain a discussion of “what if” at this point seems bizarre to me when in all probability, it’s a moot point because it won’t happen.</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s anything wrong with thinking about the what-ifs, especially if in the event you actually do get the acceptance you may only have a couple weeks to decide.</p>
<p>Personally, I would take the Jefferson Scholarship at UVa if offered.</p>
<p>I know that you say that you have your heart set on medical school for sure…but you’d be surprised how plans change.</p>
<p>Even with that aside, though, the Jefferson program seems like an incredible deal. You get a fully covered scholarship at one of the nation’s top universities, and the enrichment opportunities look amazing! There’s an outdoor leadership course at the beginning of the program. Your summer activities are basically already secured for you (leadership institute the first summer; five-week study abroad second summer; an internship with a Jefferson Alumnus during the third summer - and you can bet that some of them are in the medical field. In fact the picture on the internship page is of an undergrad interning with an optometrist). The foundation sponsors enrichment events during the school year at UVA’s campus.</p>
<p>I understand students’ impetus these days to think about the end goal - the career they wish to enter. But student experience is just as important. You only get to do college once. These are the kinds of opportunities that lead to networking across fields and meeting future colleagues and friends. I certainly wouldn’t turn down those opportunities just to avoid taking the MCAT.</p>
<p>Not to mention that med school hopefuls should try to minimize their student debt, so if you could go to UVa for free vs. spending lots of money at Union, Drexel, or VCU, you should definitely do that.</p>