Which programs should I apply to??

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
1

<p>First, let me give u my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.033
UW GPA: 3.98
Class Rank: Top 1%</p>

<p>ACT: 32 Composite (35E, 33M, 28R, 32S)
SAT II: Chemistry 770, Math 2: 740 Math 1: may take just to apply to harvard
AP US History: 4, Chemistry: 5, Macroecon: 5, US Gov: 5
AP Courses: AP US History (soph yr), AP Chemistry, AP Macroeconomics, AP Gov- Junior yr.
Senior yr: AP English, AP Biology, AP Physics C, AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology</p>

<p>Worked Blood Pressure and Blood glucose checks at Community health faires
Volunteering at Hospital (100-150 hrs)
Summer Research Program, very prestigious (about 300 hours)
Shadowed IM doctor, Anesthesiologist (>25 hrs)
Taught Sunday School Classes (150-200 hrs)</p>

<p>Paid Work at hospital, office assistant (800-1000 hrs) (22 hrs/week) (junior year)
Paid Work in Hospital Lab Senior Year (20 hrs/ week) (senior year)
Worked at a mall (40 hrs/week for 3 months) (summer before junior year)</p>

<p>Founder and President of Chess Club
Vice President of National Honor Society
Big Brothers and Sisters program (set up programs with little kids to get them interested in science)</p>

<p>Student Council Representative (9th)
Yearbook Editor (9th)
Freshman Track (9th)</p>

<p>Very low income (20K-25K)
Asian American</p>

<p>I am thinking about the programs at the following colleges: </p>

<p>Rice, Northwestern , Brown
RPI, Union, Siena
George Washington , Boston University, University of Rochester
Penn State, USC, VCU
Univ of Miami, St.Louis Univ.</p>

<p>Should i cut some of the really prestigious universities?? which ones should I add?? advice please.........</p>

2

<p>You have a shot at all of them b/c you have the stats and EC’s to get you an interview. Once you have an interview it is pure passion that you must display. But you should raise your ACT scores because they are borderline. For example, Penn State’s minuimum GPA requirement is 32. For Northwestern, high scores and grades get you an app, and once you get an interview everyone is on a level playing field. Then you must talk about your experiences and truly be interested in medicine. You should cut Rochester and St. Louis (you need to maintain 3.8 gpa and 36 MCAT to stay in which is extremely difficult.) Add Drexel program as a back up because it is easier to get in to.</p>

3

<p>^You must be thinking about Wash U. in St. Louis when u said u need a 3.8 gpa and 36 MCAT.</p>

<p>I am applying to St.Louis Univ and Rochester programs, neither of which require MCATs.
Btw, I am not interested in Drexel as I will have to give MCAT and score a 30.</p>

<p>Should I drop some prestigious ones and add some others???</p>

4

<p>Unless money or time is a problem, then you should apply to as many programs as you can. In case you don’t get what you want you should also apply to normal undergraduate universities.</p>

5

<p>time and money is a problem. I cant just apply everywhere…not enough time. And I doubt ill be able to get so many fee waivers.</p>

<p>My list:
Rice
Brown
NW HPME
RPI
Union
Siena
GWU
Boston Univ
Univ of Rochester
Penn State
USC
VCU
Saint Loius Univ. </p>

<p>Normal Colleges:
Upenn
Cornell
Columbia
Duke
UMich
Stanford
Yale
Princeton</p>

6

<p>Knock off Union, RPI, Siena - with AMC. Add:</p>

<p>UPitt’s BA/MD program
[University</a> of Pittsburgh: Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.pitt.edu/~oafa/guarantee.html#med]University”>http://www.pitt.edu/~oafa/guarantee.html#med)
[Guaranteed</a> Admissions Program | Admission and Requirements | Admissions & Financial Aid | University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.medadmissions.pitt.edu/admissions-requirements/guaranteed-admissions.php]Guaranteed”>http://www.medadmissions.pitt.edu/admissions-requirements/guaranteed-admissions.php)</p>

<p>U of Miami’s Honors Program in Medicine (HPM)
[Honors</a> Program in Medicine 2009 | University of Miami](<a href=“http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,2600-1;66091-3,00.html]Honors”>http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,2600-1;66091-3,00.html)</p>

<p>Case Western
[Case</a> Western Reserve University - Pre-Professional Scholars Program](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Case Western Reserve University”>Undergraduate Admission | Case Western Reserve University)</p>

<p>So:</p>

<p>Rice/Baylor
Brown PLME
Northwestern HPME
Boston University 7 year
University of Rochester
Penn State/Jefferson Medical College
USC
VCU
SLU
UMiami
UPitt
Case Western Reserve</p>

7

<p>to be honest, Union, RPI, and Siena are the easier ones out there and thus I think I have a chance.</p>

<p>I noticed u took those three off, MD2B, and added 3 of the hardest ones. Btw, I dont qualify for the Upitt one because they require a 33 ACT.</p>

8

<p>Oops, sorry about the UPitt one, I didn’t see the 33 ACT requirement. One point - darn.</p>

<p>The reason I knocked off Union, RPI, and Siena is bc of the ridiculously very high price tag you’re paying for a not too great undergrad/medical school. If you’re going to be shelling out big time for a medical school it might as well be a good one that matches what you’re putting into it.</p>

<p>There are only very few actual Bachelor/MD programs that are actually a better deal than a 4+4, as mostly in your list. Union/RPI/Siena are not in that category.</p>

<p>You may also want to try out JAMP which it is especially made for economically disadvantaged students: [JAMP</a> Homepage](<a href=“http://www.utsystem.edu/jamp/]JAMP”>Welcome to JAMP!), if you happen to live in Texas.</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>Sophie Davis: [BS</a> MD Program Admissions](<a href=“http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/med/admissions/bsmd_program.cfm]BS”>http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/med/admissions/bsmd_program.cfm), if you are a resident of New York.</p>

9

<p>^I am neither of those…and I am low income (20-28K) so I am expecting a lotta financial aid wherever i go. and i think i will get enough financial aid at RPI, Union and Siena too…maybe i might have to come up with 5K a year but I dont think that wud be a problem…</p>

<p>is that just my assumption or am i actually correct?? and please more advice please?</p>

10

<p>Bring up ACT score. CASE PPSP is extremely competitive, I do not know about others on a list. Add combined programs at state schools if combined program is a goal.</p>

11

<p>I am not taking the ACT again. I have taken it 5 times with scores in that range and I think taking it again will not only be a waste of time but will keep me lacking in another area.</p>

<p>I have a combined program at a state school but i want to get into the best one possible for me.</p>

12

<p>Paki786, I’m guessing you’re a Michigan resident and are thinking about the Wayne State program. I would apply and see if you get in (even if you may not necessarily end up going there).</p>

<p>I think your chances at the top tier programs (Case, UPitt, Northwestern, WUSTL, Rice/Baylor, USC, and UMiami) are small to none. If you want to save money on applying but also consider the combined programs, your best bets are AMC (Union, RPI, and Siena), VCU, Drexel, and GWU. BU and Rochester are more plausible, but probably more of a reach for you. To be frank, I don’t think your ACT score is high enough.</p>

<p>If you want a good undergraduate education with a pretty solid medical school, may I suggest the Miami University (OH) joint admission program with Univ. of Cincinnati.</p>

<p>I would also consider adding the Univ. of Toledo program to your list.</p>

<p>Just my two cents.</p>

13

<p>You really do need to re-take ACT or take the SAT b/c you won’t even be competitive with your scores. You don’t make half the cut-offs and your list only contains the best, when you should substitute one with a state school or a lower “tier.”</p>

14

<p>i know my chances at top-tier are small…But I have heard all these stories of crapshoot and that once you pass a threshold its all on the interview. So, I am thinking if I apply to a broad range, my chances go up in getting in one of those.</p>

<p>I also know that the AMC programs, VCU, and GWU programs are more within my reach and Rochester and BU programs are a bit more reach for me. My target is to get into my state program however.</p>

<p>Should I get rid of the top-tier programs??? </p>

<p>It is just that I took ACT 5 times and I think taking it again might just be a waste…instead i could work on essays and other parts of the app.</p>

15

<p>Well, for your comparison, D. is in combined program. She got into 3 out of 6 she applied. All were at state schools, except for Case PPSP. She is very happy with where she is now. She was not invited to interview to PPSP. She graduated #1 with GPA=4.0uw and ACT=33 on a first try and tons of various EC’s with Case’s coach being very interested in her for his team. Also Case gave her Merit package of approximately $28,000 / year. None made any difference. Now she is saying that she is probably at the better place that fits her interests better anyway. Well, good luck, you never know, you might have better luck, but at the end, I believe, it works for everybody who went to school that fits them the best. Opportunities at state colleges for very top caliber students are awesome, keep that in mind.</p>

16

<p>I would definitely have to concur with MiamiDAP.</p>

<p>Given your financial situation, perhaps the 8-year route with Wayne State might be the best option. Given your stats, you are likely to get a significant scholarship package (definitely look into this in case you have apply separately for these, etc.). Do they have an honors program or honors college?</p>

<p>Also apply to good 4+4 programs. And I would apply to honors programs at your state schools too. I know Michigan State has one. Merit-based scholarships should alleviate some of your financial worries. Many honors programs/colleges at state schools are very good, and students get privileges that other undergraduates at these schools do not.</p>

17

<p>Jason110,
Sorry, did not see your previous post before.<br>
“If you want a good undergraduate education with a pretty solid medical school, may I suggest the Miami University (OH) joint admission program with Univ. of Cincinnati.”</p>

<ul>
<li>Thank you for this comment. However, program has been cacelled at Miami. This year they took the last freshmen bunch. It is only at Cinci for UG anymore. My D is at Miami in a program and feels even more lucky after she learned that they have cancelled.</li>
</ul>

18

<p>Miami cancelled their program? </p>

<p>That’s news to me. Good to know.</p>

19

<p>

</p>

<p>This reflects a serious misconception about medical schools. The quality of medical schools is more “flat” than the quality of undergrad educations. It’s not like law school, where there are really distinct tiers.</p>

<p>If this student’s goal is to become an everyday doctor treating patients, a degree from a “lesser” medical school will accomplish that every bit as much as a “name” medical school. The reimbursements for physicians are not dependent on education; the doctor from Yale Medical and his partner from State Flagship Medical will make the exact same amount of money, do the exact same things on a daily basis, and Blue Cross or Aetna aren’t going to toss the Yale guy a penny more. The medical world is a lot more egalitarian than, say, the law or business worlds.</p>

20

<p>Pizzagirl, sorry but I’m actually IN medical school already so I think I know just a little bit more than you do, so don’t be so quick to label things as “misconceptions”. I am very well aware of reimbursement and that is not what I am talking about - so nice strawman argument.</p>

<p>RPI/Union/Siena all have a program with Albany Medical College. By the way there ARE in fact rankings of medical schools, and you can check US World News and Report for that, and there are tiers.</p>

<p>If you actually read my statement properly you would see that I am comparing the pricetag with respect to the medical institution and what you are actually getting out of it - not just based on name only. The school you go to also has an effect on the match process with respect to getting residency interviews in competitive specialties.</p>

<p>Albany Medical College is #9 with respect to highest price in tuition ($44,623) for private medical schools, surely you’d agree that someone who is economically disadvantaged as the OP states, shouldn’t be shelling out that much money if the school and quality aren’t matched to the price right? We’re not talking about a public state school or there would be no question. Now using your example, look at Yale’s tuition - which is LOWER than AMC but higher in tier. The OP would be paying MORE than he would even for an Ivy League medical school.</p>

<p>Data is from the AAMC website, organized.
Private Medical Schools 2008-2009</p>

<p>1 Temple - 49778
2 Tufts - 48992
3 Tulane - 47234
4 George Washington - 46267
5 Washington U St Louis - 45550
6 Boston - 45286
7 Rush - 44928
8 Einstein - 44780
9 Albany - 44623
10 Columbia - 44490
11 Cornell - Weill - 44465
12 Georgetown - 44444
13 St Louis - 44435
14 Pennsylvania - 44251
15 Southern Cal - Keck - 44188
16 Duke - 43985
17 New York University - 43976
18 Case Western - 43966
19 Drexel - 43800
20 Stanford - 43620
21 Creighton - 43496
22 Jefferson - 43033
23 Yale - 42750
24 New York Medical - 42236
25 Northwestern - Feinberg - 41926
26 Harvard - 41819
27 Chicago Med - Franklin - 41687
28 Pittsburgh - 41506
29 Emory - 41476
30 Dartmouth - 40900
31 Brown - 40510
32 Rochester - 40204
33 Vanderbilt - 39291
34 Miami-Miller - 39254
35 Johns Hopkins - 39108
36 MC Wisconsin - 39005
37 Loyola - Stritch - 38732
38 Wake Forest - 38248
39 Chicago - Pritzker - 38239
40 Loma Linda - 37610
41 Mount Sinai - 36850
42 Howard - 34081
43 Meharry - 32508
44 Caribe - 32120
45 Ponce - 31475
46 Morehouse - 30328
47 Mayo - 29800
48 Baylor - 25903
49 San Juan Bautista - 21770</p>