<p>My daughter was interested in VCU's BME program. She wants to go to med school after she is done, however BME appears to be a very tough major and would most likely have a negative effect on her GPA, since she could get a better GPA by majoring in bio itself. From what I understand, med school acceptance is very number based, and leniency is not given for tougher majors.
VCU's BME program also claims to have a 94% acceptance rate in getting into medical school, and would offer a plethora of research opportunities. In addition, the VCU Medical school would allow opportunity to shadow doctors.</p>
<p>However, her other option is the Meyerhoff program at UMBC. It offers much better undergraduate support, and also offers lots of research opportunities. It appears less to be cut throat competition and more focused on team work and collaboration. </p>
<p>It is difficult to pick one, both seem excellent. Any advice?</p>
<p>My son is a M24. The support he receives from Meyerhoff, UMBC, his professors, and his fellow students is amazing!!! I can’t picture him anywhere else. The majority of the M24 cohort have received paid research internships for the summer. He has received excellent academic advice. Summer Bridge was an incredible experience. He started his freshman year ready-to-go. The kids in the program are so nice…all different personalities all working towards the same goal. He has made lifelong friendships. The older Meyerhoffs are always there to help the younger students. You might want to do some research regarding how well the Meyerhoffs do after their undergraduate studies vs. those who were offered the Meyerhoff but went elsewhere. This is not a scholarship program…it is so much more.</p>
<p>I have heard wonderful things about the UMBC program, but I know almost nothing about VCU. We live in Maryland though. It really does seem to be an up and coming school.
Good luck with the decision.</p>
<p>BME is a very grueling major that will include a lot of engineering courses that she won’t need for med school. UMBC is a great school for serious students and the Meyerhoff program offers a lot of advantages. I’d choose UMBC.</p>
<p>VCU’s BME program also claims to have a 94% acceptance rate in getting into medical school</p>
<p>That stat doesn’t really tell you anything. That just suggests that once the BME students have gotten to jr/sr years, those who STILL have GPA’s that are med-school-worthy, have a high chance. That stats says NOTHING about the many BME students who WERE premed, but after getting a few “iffy grades,” realized that med school was not in their future, so they never applied.</p>
<p>Virtually any good school that has med school applicants with high GPAs (and good MCATs) is going to have high acceptance rates to med schools. The acceptance rate is based on: a student getting accepted to ONE US MD school.</p>
<p>That said, getting a high GPA in eng’g is going to be difficult. If your D is concerned about that keeping her out of med school, then she should consider the other route. If the goal is med school, don’t let a tougher undergrad major trip you up.</p>
<p>pumpkin0 - The Meyerhoff program offers tremendous undergraduate support and is tailor made for individuals who wish to pursue PhD or MD/PhD after graduation. My daughter is an M24 and she receives outstanding support from the Meyerhoff Scholars program. Many of the graduates who wish to pursue graduate studies are accepted into wonderful programs.</p>
<p>pumpkin0 - I am not certain but I suspect that is the case. The benefit of MD/PhD as opposed to strictly a MD program is that the MD/PhD is fully funded.</p>