<p>What about those who turned down BS/MD programs for a prestigious school such as Yale and then got weeded out? I'm pretty sure they feel regret.</p>
<p>Icypineapple37,
I am very familiar with the program that is similar to what you are describing. One of them is a DAP - Dual Admission Program with U. of Cinci Col. of Medicine. There are absolutely no disadvantages of being in a program like this. There is complete freedom of what classes you are taking as long as you complete Med. School reguirements. No major restriction. The only restriction that I am aware of is that you cannot have less that 4 years in undergrad and 5 years if you are in engineering - so no acceleration is possible. You can apply out if you wish. It is incorrect assumption, that you do not work as hard. The reguirement to stay in a program is GPA = 3.45. While it is somewhat lower than regular route med. school applicants, it is not by any measure low. You also need to get MCAT = 27, which is not that high either. You are totally integrated with general student body, so to avoid unnecessary jelousy from other pre-meds, people in a program keep it almost a secret. The participants in a program are very high caliber students and to be part of such a group is a huge advantage in addition to other benefits. I truly cannot think of any disadvantages of being part of such program. By the way, I believe, all of them are either have full ride or full tuition scholarships for undergrad portion.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What about those who turned down BS/MD programs for a prestigious school such as Yale and then got weeded out?
[/quote]
Fine. Find me such a person, and then we'll talk.</p>
<p>Hey, bluedevilmike, if it means anything, I agree with you. I think that too many kids forget to consider the essential things, like will you be happy, will your mature as an person, etc., when considering which school(s) to attend/apply to.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What about those who turned down BS/MD programs for a prestigious school such as Yale and then got weeded out? I'm pretty sure they feel regret.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Except you'll find very few people like this at top schools. The average stats at DO schools are only around 3.3-3.4 w/ a 26-27 MCAT score. These are not high and really not much different from some of the requirements of BS/MD programs. Which all goes back to my point: you guys overvalue this guarantee. And if you can't even score a 26 on the MCAT, then your ability to pass med school and the USMLE's is in jeopardy (we see this in the huge attrition rates at Carib schools). </p>
<p>Getting into any med school is not that tough. Getting into Harvard or Johns Hopkins is ridiculous. But, outside of a few programs, most BS/MD programs don't feature schools anywhere near that level. And the undergrads are even more poorly regarded.</p>
<p>To become a physician, you'll basically need a MCAT score in the high 20's and a GPA above 3.3 (this is for ostepathic schools; slightly higher for allopathic schools). If you feel you can't attain those via the regular route, I have to question whether you are qualified to be a doctor.</p>
<p>I agree with norcalguy that just going for any combined med program simply because of the program isn't really worth it if its some random BS/DO program.
But, if you get a program like the USC, Northwestern, BU, or Brown one, to name a few, I see no reason you shouldn't take the program....unless of course you have some other dream school you want to go to and simply don't feel you will fit in at the school you got accepted to that has the program.</p>
<p>i definitely agree to some extent with a lot of what everyone says. if you feel that going to the undergrad portion of school just wouldnt be the best experience, then by all means dont take the program just for that guarantee. high school seniors usually dont have a very clear idea of what they actually want in life, so is a program like that actually good for them?</p>
<p>however, that being said, because high school seniors actually have very little idea of what they actually would want out of life yet, they could potencially be very happy in one such program if they think that they are sure, especially one of the top programs mentioned, and they should seriously considered such an offer</p>
<p>i know that might sound a little conflicted, but in truth a decision like that does take a lot of different angles to consider...</p>
<p>of course...if u get into a great BS/MD program (that takes a full 7/8 years to complete) at a decent undergrad school, you can always take ur time to look at other options and double major/triple minor watever</p>
<p>i think the tunnel vision only applies to the accelerated progs (namely the 6 year crazy things) or the schools where the undergrad schools are horrendous</p>
<p>Like I said, it's more mindset than opportunity. You have the opportunity to triple major but the question is will you give serious thoughts to other careers if you have a guaranteed spot to Northwestern or WashU med school?</p>
<p>nova is a decent school, it's not some random bs/do program...just because schools like NW and WashU have a great reputation doesn't mean their programs are the best, they are good of course but it also costs a fortune to go to their undergrad schools and you will be in debt before even entering med school...</p>
<p>I feel a lot of people love going to big 10 or highly reputable colleges and then forget that there are many doctors that went to small schools and saved money while getting a quality education with tons of opportunities</p>
<p>people need to have a bigger perspective on the issue</p>
<p>well, we cannot also discount the fact that some people pick schools/progs because they indeed are part of their dream schools. I, for example, would love to go to Brown, just because I think their general philosophy on education is exactly how I have learned all through high school (taking classes that I love, not just because I needed them for this school or that test or w/e). And the fact that they have PLME (and have had it for the past... 30 years?) is just icing on the cake. I would gladly go to Brown for my undergraduate education if I was not accepted to PLME.</p>
<p>And who are we to judge people for going to prestigious schools? Maybe they loved their school as much as we love ours. I mean, if it was me, I'd rather go to the school of my dreams and be down maybe 240k after 4 years, than go to another school where I paid less/finished my education quicker and regret not going to my dream school for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>But that's just my $.02</p>
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I would gladly go to Brown for my undergraduate education if I was not accepted to PLME.
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Yeah -- if you can truthfully say this, then I think by all means, apply to the program. Definitely a worthwhile attempt in that case.</p>
<p>yeah, i completely agree with the points you've been making in this thread.</p>
<p>However, as a side-note, my brother was dead-set on going to Northwestern (and HPME). Therefore, he and my parents were both devastated when he didn't get an interview. HOWEVER, he currently attends Virginia Commonwealth University, as a member of their Guaranteed Admission in Medicine program, and he absolutely loves the school.</p>
<p>There's a good example of someone who loves where they go as a result of being in a program. However, he didn't apply to anything but programs (and schools with programs). And he wasn't in love with Northwestern; he was in love with HPME. There's the difference.</p>
<p>I visited Brown earlier this year, and I can honestly say that I love the university, and I could see myself being happy attending the institution even if I didn't get into PLME. :)</p>
<p>That's EXACTLY how I am with USC. After living in Chicago, my heart was set on Northwestern going into senior year. I was purple and white all the way...</p>
<p>...at least until I was invited to USC to interview for the Trustee Scholarship and the Bacc/MD. And let me tell you, my whole focus flipped. When I got the letter saying I didn't get an interview for the HPME, I laughed and threw it in the pile of mail--I didn't care. Why exactly? Because I had found a place that I LOVED as an undergraduate school regardless of whether I got into their medical program or not. Now of course, if I get this letter in the mail and it's a yes, I'm committing 100%. If it's a no, it's still a 95% chance that I'm going to USC. So I really think it does matter if you like the undergraduate because a) you'll get more out of the experience and b) you'll be more likely to pursue and explore other things and get the most out of the school. This is four years of your life that you will never get back and even if it meant I was $250,000-$300,000 in the hole, I wouldn't pass it up for the world.</p>
<p>Do know one such case (got weeded out).
Also know someone dropped off from top BA/MD program after entering college.</p>
<p>Quote:
What about those who turned down BS/MD programs for a prestigious school such as Yale and then got weeded out? </p>
<p>Fine. Find me such a person, and then we'll talk.</p>
<p>Okay. Tell me about the person. Got admitted to a BS/MD program, turned it down for a Yale-like school, and ultimately couldn't cut it? Tell me.</p>
<p>a family friend's son went to UChicago, spent a ton of money, then ended up at Rush Medical College--which is worse than any BS/MD prog. He turned down an offer from UIC GPPA.</p>
<p>the thing is, for every horror story, there's a success story. another family friend's son went to Northwestern for undergrad, then got into northwestern's and washu's med school...huzzah</p>
<p>also, i'm wondering if going to an ivy is even worth the 50 grand/year cuz med school is expensive enough. to me, the undergrad experience is truly what you make of it--decent schools will offer great experiences as long as you approach them positively.</p>
<p>like kristhefish was mentioning the VCU med prog, which is great cuz you get ur own special advisor and are basically the university's pride and joy...i think theres a lot the less "prestigious" schools have to offer to good students</p>
<p>Uchicago/Rush sounds like a pretty decent resume. I won't bash some of the schools featured in BS/MD programs but many of them I don't even recognize.</p>
<p>And, secondly, due to new financial aid policies, Ivies (and peer institutions) are some of the most affordable schools in the US. I already wrote this on another thread but Cornell's new policy is no loans for families making under 75k and loans capped at $3000/yr for families making under 100k. Most of the other Ivies have even more generous FA packages. $12,000 is chump change compared to what you will accumulate in med school.</p>
<p>The only reason I brought the issue up was because my friend was admitted to Brown, Yale, and Wayne State U's BS/MD program four years ago. She liked Yale, and attended there (which was a good decision).</p>
<p>Now, she's telling everyone medicine isn't a good fit for her and is going into international relations. However, her mom privately admitted to mine that her GPA is too low to make it. I can't say which side is true, but still, I think this is a pretty sad story and wonder if she'd rather gone to Wayne State instead.</p>
<p>Fortunately, of all my pre-med/med friends, this is the only case, so I guess this doesn't happen often.</p>