<p>Summer Programs: Other good options
-study abroad program
-nice programs also in Columbia Univ and Northwestern, hopkins cts is for younger ones.
-hospital volunteer, shadowing with a doc, working with doc on research study (scarcely availlable)</p>
<p>The most impressive programs is/are: (not necessarily summer)
Intel Science Talent Search- app due in november- only hs seniors
Siemens Westinghouse Science and Tech Competition only hs seniors</p>
<p>both of this want u to submit research (paper)- not the one that u do in history class abt George Washington but actual research either math/chem/physics/medicine/bio.
the whole r project has to be in by deadline so dont worry abt that if u havent done it.</p>
<p>DO REALIZE that- just by getting into a good summer program does not guarantee admission into Ivies and BS/MD. They put more imp on interviews and stuff.</p>
<p>REBUTTAL for VCU and Drexel: Although these programs are underrated, they really are good and have good facilities: they certinly may not be princetonian but they are not run-down. they are above average. the director of both are very astute.
honestly, med applicants want the MCV so badly.- better than UVA Med school/hospital- firstly mcv is in richmond, so there is more variety of cases and diverse patients rather than the homogenous and SMAll pop at UVA med center.
People get more competitive residencies after being in MCV than in UVA- SO I have heard from doctors and a "very official source".</p>
<p>Nurjahan is impressively inaccurate about Vanderbilt's ENGAGE program.</p>
<p>A.Being admitted into the medical school ENGAGE means you DON'T have to take the MCAT. Do you even have a clue what the national MCAT average is? Apparently not. However, if you want to apply to Vanderbilt's MD/PHD program, then yes you do need to take the MCAT.</p>
<p>B.The average SAT for ENGAGE was 1546. </p>
<p>I'm curious to find out where you got your so-called "official stats?" or information in general for Vanderbilt because it appears to me that you either made up the information or lack basic research skills.</p>
<p>Okay I've got some information (and a less biased perspective) for you. I was a finalist this year (I find out this Friday if I'm accepted), and I had my interview last Tuesday. Both of my interviews focused primarily on extracurricular activities, particularly the medical research I have been involved in. The selection committee already has access to your stats and two essays, so the purpose of the interview is to get to know you better and understand what you are passionate about (and presumably how this relates to a career in medicine). If you are accepted into the program, you are NOT required to take the MCAT. You are required to maintain a GPA above 3.5, but if you are good enough to be accepted to ENGAGE, this should not be particularly difficult. While in the program, you are encouraged to explore areas of the curriculum that premeds normally stay away from because they are concerned with how it will look on their application to medical schools. You are guaranteed one paid summer research experience (around $5000 if I remember correctly). The program is very new (none of the participants have graduated from the College yet), so it is hard to give you a definitive opinion about the quality of the program, but I was very impressed when I went to interview. Best of luck and be sure to write good essays.</p>