16, senior, (skipped a grade), Indian...

GPA: i dunno about unweighted, but 4.9 on weighted scale
Rank: 2 out of 998
area: east side of houston, so not many ppl know abt programs, and are very rare to go off

the horrible part:

9th grade: Pre-Ap

10th grade: World History AP (4)

11th grade (horrible): AP US History (4), AP ENg comp (3), Calc AB (2; no teacher, substitute the whole year), SAT: 1900 (will take again in Oct. and will guarantee above 2100), not taking ACT, but subject tests (US history, and maybe bio or phys...and also math...any suggestions on which?)

12th grade: Calc BC, Eng AP, Eco AP, Psych AP, Physics AP, Bio AP, Govt AP (i promise to pick up my slack)

extra curricular: nat. honor society, class rep, VP of nat. tech honor society, academic decathalon, debate, gents (high school frat), science club, HOSA, journalism (newspaper), comp. animation, will join more this year

made a movie with class and became a local hit, part of my interests...along w/ journalism

Med EC: 400 hours: 2 hospitals, 1 doctor's clinic, 1 physical therapy clinic...

i'm interested in internal medicine, so i have followed a doctor for so many years, but i'm considering cardio, so i followed a doctor during the summer in the cath lab...

Extra: active youth member, youth sports team (basketball), went to mexico on a medical mission for a few days, assist with education, medical aid...

chance me for:

Regulars (4 yr):

Penn, Dartmouth (got a lot of letters from them), Cornell, Georgetown, UT Austin (super easy, guaranteed admission)

really interested in BS/MD:

Drexel, howard, thomas jefferson, temple, tufts, boston u, stony brook...

chance me, but give me advice on things i should work on...thanks and it's really appreciated...

i wanted to be more specific on the thread title...i know...i'm not the greatest test taker, but bear with me...

ivies are a reach for everyone, even with perfect stats

if you get the sat above 1450 on the 1600 scale i would say you are in good shape for the bs/md programs

moving this to the Aspire the forum for pre-college questions.

There is quite a bit of BS/MD program info there.

ivies are a reach for everyone, even with perfect stats

if you get the sat above 1450 on the 1600 scale i would say you are in good shape for the bs/md programs

except they don't use 1600 scale anymore...they use a 2400...lol

If you want to do BS/MD, see if you can find ones that have low GPA, no MCAT requirements to continue on...I know that when I applied, GWU needed a 3.3, no MCAT to continue on to med school after 3/4 years...the stats you need to get in are really high...equivalent of 1500 or better, and mandatory 710 on verbal...the 2100 is good, but you really want to shoot for 2250 or above to get into some great programs (Northwestern, Brown, BU, etc.)...good luck, make sure your personal statement for the med portions is good...don't go out there "i wanna help people cuz i shadowed a doctor and the patients looked upon him with admiration, etc, etc...make yours unique if you get the essays...some have interviews, some don't, but for the ones that do, i understand that they really want to see your committment to going there...without directly expressing it, sort of hint that if accepted you will attend...my friend is at u. miami and apparently that is how his interview went...good luck

11th grade (horrible): AP US History (4), AP ENg comp (3), Calc AB (2; no teacher, substitute the whole year), SAT: 1900 (will take again in Oct. and will guarantee above 2100), not taking ACT, but subject tests (US history, and maybe bio or phys...and also math...any suggestions on which?)

As far as SAT IIs go, I would definitely suggest Math 2 and Chemistry. Those two are definitely required for the Northwestern program (HPME) and the BU program (SMED). I can't remember the specifications for the other ones I applied to, but those are typically the ones that are required or "strongly suggested".

By the way, SAT score aside, I think your stats are pretty awesome. :) If you can get that SAT score up, you should be in a good position to have a chance at some really competitive colleges and programs.

16, senior, (skipped a grade), Indian...

GPA: i dunno about unweighted, but 4.9 on weighted scale
Rank: 2 out of 998
area: east side of houston, so not many ppl know abt programs, and are very rare to go off

the horrible part:

9th grade: Pre-Ap

10th grade: World History AP (4)

11th grade (horrible): AP US History (4), AP ENg comp (3), Calc AB (2; no teacher, substitute the whole year), SAT: 1900 (will take again in Oct. and will guarantee above 2100), not taking ACT, but subject tests (US history, and maybe bio or phys...and also math...any suggestions on which?)

12th grade: Calc BC, Eng AP, Eco AP, Psych AP, Physics AP, Bio AP, Govt AP (i promise to pick up my slack)

extra curricular: nat. honor society, class rep, VP of nat. tech honor society, academic decathalon, debate, gents (high school frat), science club, HOSA, journalism (newspaper), comp. animation, will join more this year

made a movie with class and became a local hit, part of my interests...along w/ journalism

Med EC: 400 hours: 2 hospitals, 1 doctor's clinic, 1 physical therapy clinic...

i'm interested in internal medicine, so i have followed a doctor for so many years, but i'm considering cardio, so i followed a doctor during the summer in the cath lab...

Extra: active youth member, youth sports team (basketball), went to mexico on a medical mission for a few days, assist with education, medical aid...

chance me for:

Regulars (4 yr):

Penn, Dartmouth (got a lot of letters from them), Cornell, Georgetown, UT Austin (super easy, guaranteed admission)

really interested in BS/MD:

Drexel, howard, thomas jefferson, temple, tufts, boston u, stony brook...

chance me, but give me advice on things i should work on...thanks and it's really appreciated...

i wanted to be more specific on the thread title...i know...i'm not the greatest test taker, but bear with me...


If you're interested in Tufts, it's a bit different from what I think you might believe.

I think there's an actual 8 (or 9?) year BS/MD but it's only for the school of engineering, and as I was not an engineer I'm not sure how that works. I do know it's really competitive though.

As for a normal BS/MD at Tufts, what we have is an early acceptance program. You don't apply straight out of high school, you apply as a sophomore at Tufts. So, right now you'd just have to worry about getting into the undergrad. Then, as a sophomore you'd have an option. Basically, you would need to have taken a full year of bio, full year of general chem and at least one year of orgo (organic chem) to apply, and have to have maintained at least a 3.5 gpa in the process....which, I gotta tell you, is not easy in those classes (very very very few people can pull it off). Then you'd apply. If you get in, super. I believe it's non-binding, and they'll ask you whether you actually do want to go at the end of your Junior year. If you do, again, super. You'll be able to go to Tufts Med right after you graduate, and you'll have to take the MCAT but your score won't count. If you don't want to keep the commitment to Tufts Med afterwards, you can drop your spot and apply everywhere you want.

In my opinion, the obvious pro of this program is the fact that the MCAT is irrelevant and hey, you'll definitely know you're going to a good med school, which is great. When everyone around you is stressed about going to med school, you'll be able to just sit and wait. Kinda nice.

There are definitely many cons, however (and these are probably the same cons for all BS/MD programs). Tufts is THE most expensive med school in the country. Tuition's crazy, and Boston is absolutely not a cheap city to live in. Because you're committing to it, they have no reason to give you financial aid, so unless you have parents (or a rich uncle) who is willing to foot the bill, be prepared to be very very heavily in debt. Also, you might find that you want to keep your options open, especially after you take the MCAT. Finally, being in one of those programs is pretty limiting, curriculum-wise. You're forced to take certain classes within a certain time, which doesn't allow you to explore your interests (and hey, maybe change your mind- wouldn't be the first time) as much as just pursuing a regular ol' premed concentration.

Anyways, hope this helped. Good luck!

what do u guys think my chances are to GWU??


and what do u think...do i have a chance, or am i barely "passable"?

In normal 4 year admissions when we've got volumes of data and published statistics, "What Are My Chances" threads are guess-work at best given the non-tangibles that go into admissions.

BS/MD programs have a lot less published data for their admissions.

I'll go through what you've put up and let you know what you can work on:

Strengths-
GPA: I don't know what your's will translate to on an unweighted scale, but a weighted 4.9 won't hurt you anywhere.
Class rank: same as above, you're clearly an excellent student
Extra-curriculars: You've got strong ECs with med involvement. BS/MD programs want to see this.

Don't sweat the grades on the AP tests, it sounds like you've nailed the class work.

Where you can improve-
Standardized testing- You say you're going to take the SAT again, your current score isn't bad, but if you think you can do better, go for it. If you haven't done any sort of prep-class, you might try that (esp if you're not a good test taker, they can help you overcome that). You might explore taking the ACT.

Also (and I'm telling you this b/c I'm trying to help)... Maybe it's just how you appear over the internet, but you're coming off a bit neurotic (style and volume of posts). I'd be concerned that this could hurt you if this manifests itself and makes you appear immature in an interview.

The reason I sound "overly neurotic" is just that I was introduced to this program last week. I tried to contact my counselors, but they're not the ones on the helping edge...

and clearly to me, it doesn't matter where I go, as long as I end up becoming what I pursued for so long...

so with that in mind...do you guys have any suggestions as to which schools I could apply to, along with the help of handling any financial hassles?

The reason I sound "overly neurotic" is just that I was introduced to this program last week. I tried to contact my counselors, but they're not the ones on the helping edge...

and clearly to me, it doesn't matter where I go, as long as I end up becoming what I pursued for so long...

so with that in mind...do you guys have any suggestions as to which schools I could apply to, along with the help of handling any financial hassles?

I would look at the websites for particular schools and see which programs interest you.

Keep in mind, if you're competitive enough for a BS/MD program and you maintain your work-ethic through college (just as you'd have to do through med school), you'll probably be competitive enough to get in through the standard admissions process, so don't feel that you absolutely have to get into a joint program out of HS.

I would give this thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=531615) a good read. It has a lot of info on BS/MD programs, including a partial list, and questions you'd want to consider when selecting a school/program.

that thread really helped..thanks!!


i just am a little anxious about if i apply to all these, that i will get rejected...

and the financial help, what's the chance that i do get aid??

that thread really helped..thanks!!


i just am a little anxious about if i apply to all these, that i will get rejected...

and the financial help, what's the chance that i do get aid??

If you get rejected, you get rejected. These programs are highly selective, they reject more people than they accept. Same with the standard medical school admissions track. If you don't get in, you can try again after college... It wont be held against you

Loans are almost always available to pay for school. You might not be getting scholarships, but there's always some way to pay for it... (most students use student loans to pay for med school)

is there a possibility that you could get rejected at all of them??

and depakote, if you can remember, what were your high school stats, what programs did u apply, and where did you get accepted??

is there a possibility that you could get rejected at all of them??
It is definitely possible, ~50% of 4 year med school applicants are not accepted in a given year, so it's very possible that those stats could apply to BS/MD programs. I'd apply to 4 year colleges as well.


and depakote, if you can remember, what were your high school stats, what programs did u apply, and where did you get accepted??

I attended a wasn't exactly a gunner in HS (which was pretty competitive to begin with). My GPA was ~3.5, I had a 31 ACT, I forget what my SAT was, but I think it was somewhere around a 1300 on the old scale. My school didn't rank. I had a pretty good number of medically related ECs and played a couple of sports.

I wasn't really aware of BA/BS MD programs so I only applied to the 1 I knew of.. UMKC's 6-year program*. I was accepted.

*this is not the most competitive program out there from an admissions standpoint, and I was a state resident, I wouldn't use my stats for comparison if you're applying to programs like Northwestern, Baylor or Rochester.

so what would you consider would be help me..b/c frankly, i dont want to apply to brown, or northwestern...


schools like Howard, GWU, Penn St., Stony Brook...

do you think I have a chance at these schools??

so what would you consider would be help me..b/c frankly, i dont want to apply to brown, or northwestern...


schools like Howard, GWU, Penn St., Stony Brook...

do you think I have a chance at these schools??

A chance? Probably.

Why no to Brown and Northwestern? Those are some great programs...

Personal advice:

If you're going to apply to joint degree programs, make sure you're picking a program you'll be happy with. If you're a huge fan of urban life, that's great, but I have trouble picturing a 16-17 year old from Texas jumping in to downtown Washington, DC and loving it.

I live in Houston proper, and it's very urban...however, i have visited those cities, so I know how it is...and have lived in each for a week...

it really reached out to me...

I know I will love it, it's different I know, but it's definitely better...

tomorrow, i will visit my counselors to discuss my chances, and what options I can look forward to...

is there anything I thing i should mention or I should find out??

P.S. do you think a recommendation letter from the superintendent of schools would help? (his son is my best friend..so I know him very well)

I live in Houston proper, and it's very urban...however, i have visited those cities, so I know how it is...and have lived in each for a week...

it really reached out to me...

I know I will love it, it's different I know, but it's definitely better...

That's a relief, I was concerned you were jumping at the program without having considered the surroundings.

Still, I would make sure to apply to a variety of schools and make sure to have back-ups (of the 4-year college variety).


tomorrow, i will visit my counselors to discuss my chances, and what options I can look forward to...

is there anything I thing i should mention or I should find out??

Find out where other grads of your school have gone, what programs they've entered. Maybe see if you can be put in contact with them...

See if there are any programs he recommends you apply to. Any 4 year colleges as well...


P.S. do you think a recommendation letter from the superintendent of schools would help? (his son is my best friend..so I know him very well)
Wouldn't hurt, but how much it helps really depends on what he's able to say about you. If it's a character reference, then it probably won't make that big of a difference. If he can attest to your various extracurriculars, your school involvement, your academic leadership, etc. Then it might be a good letter that could positively impact your application to colleges. For MD programs, it doesn't hurt to have a letter from a physician you've had clinical experience with... someone that can attest to your interest in medicine. This is helpful, but not required.

that thread really helped..thanks!!


i just am a little anxious about if i apply to all these, that i will get rejected...

and the financial help, what's the chance that i do get aid??

FYI if you go to UMiami every top 2 in their class gets a 100% scholarship and all people who enroll in the B.S./M.D. program are guaranteed a 75% scholarship.

On the counseling part, almost everyone has stayed in Houston, they're not aware of the program..

i was notified however, that schools were interested in accepting students from rare areas...

there has been two students, one went to MIT back in 1999, and the other last year to Cornell

the latter was a big surprise...b/c she wasn't that smart, not that involved, and it's a mystery on how she got in...

as far as getting in contact...i've tried, but they're both busy...

it's very rare from students of this area to go off to schools like that...


on the other note...my mom used to work for a doctor at his clinic...i think he'll definitely put in a good word..

anyone reply??

you met with your college counselor today?

how'd that go, what info did you get?

this goes to show you how our schools work..

i went, but she wanted to postpone till next week, b/c she was too tired..


she told me that a month ago..

are u considering the program that miami has as well? There's was based more on the essay and on the interview if u are worried about your test scores

are u considering the program that miami has as well? There's was based more on the essay and on the interview if u are worried about your test scores

Does miami give preference to FL residents?

bear in mind that many state school BS/MD programs are geared towards in-state residents and out of state applicants are held to much higher standards (and also tend to be forced to pay much higher tuition rates, sometimes for the whole 6-8 years)

it's a private school and they said they favor in state kids somewhat, but not as much as you would expect. On the day I interviewed, of the 20 students scheduled on my day, 6 were from florida--so they probably do have some favoritism but not an overwhelming amount as some other schools may

tuition is the same for in state and out of state, because its private

it's a private school and they said they favor in state kids somewhat, but not as much as you would expect. On the day I interviewed, of the 20 students scheduled on my day, 6 were from florida--so they probably do have some favoritism but not an overwhelming amount as some other schools may

tuition is the same for in state and out of state, because its private
I didn't realize Miami was private.

I didn't realize Miami was private.

that's a common misconception, I'm not exactly sure why

Does miami give preference to FL residents?

bear in mind that many state school BS/MD programs are geared towards in-state residents and out of state applicants are held to much higher standards (and also tend to be forced to pay much higher tuition rates, sometimes for the whole 6-8 years)

In the past Miami's program was only restricted to FL residents. Over time that has changed and last year when I did admissions tours most students were not from Florida.

In-state tuition is less than out-state because the state does subsidize Miami a bit for taking FL residents (although it is a private school).

drexel med school has a lot of both 7 and 8 year med programs with various different undergrad schools, such as drexel undergrad, villanova, monmouth univ, etc. i would definitely look into those.

sorry guys...i was away on a school trip the past few days..

and by the way...does monmouth offer BS/MD? I looked on their website and couldn't find it...

im definetely considering drexel..

i need other tips guys!

don't know about monmouth, but from desidp12's it sounds like they have something going with drexel, you might check drexel's site.

I'm not sure what else you're looking for...

its called the monmouth medical scholars program.

http://www.monmouth.edu/academics/medical.asp

u can also call Kamal Kornegay at Office of Admissions. he is the one who is responsible for the program

quick question, just to refresh my memory:

how many years would it take a regular student to go through undergrad and med school...

is it 8 yrs??

quick question, just to refresh my memory:

how many years would it take a regular student to go through undergrad and med school...

is it 8 yrs??

traditionally it's 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of med school...

Undergrad can be made shorter depending on if you take classes over the summer and how many classes you take per semester...

Med School 4 years.

if i apply to manmouth..which is an 8-yr accelerated prgm, what's so accelerated about it??

if i apply to manmouth..which is an 8-yr accelerated prgm, what's so accelerated about it??

a quick skim of the program's page makes it look like it isn't an accellerated program but it guarantees acceptance into medical school as long as certain requirements are met... not necessarily any faster, just less stress. (sweet deal)

i talked to my counselor today and there apparently is a big conflict with every AP class im taking

do you guys know which ones i should take...but i have to keep eng. and eco.,

which classes do you think i should definetely take??

take ones you find interesting.

browse through the clubhouse (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=422) and the Exam HQ, there's a few threads (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=550875) on picking AP classes...

I'm not sure what your school offers, here was my take when another poster asked for input on his list:
You'd probably want to retake any med school requisites once you get into college, but that doesn't mean taking the course in HS would hurt you (just that you wouldn't use it for college credit). The other option is to take one of the humanities and have one less class to worry about when you're checking off degree requirements.

Art History- never had this as an AP, took it in college and it was somewhat interesting. You might enjoy this... although I have no idea what the AP exam is like.

Biology- this wouldn't be a bad base for some of your college work, but you will wind up repeating it if you take a pre-health science track.

Chemistry- same as above, but probably the most valuable course available. Chemistry is your friend, but can be the bane of your existence. Good to master the basics early. *I'd put this on the list of classes I wish I had taken in HS (took AP Bio instead)

Physics B, Physics C- I'm told these are brutal. That and you'll need physics if you're pre-med. I'd say save yourself the trouble unless you're applying to MIT or a physics heavy school.

Calculus AB- Not bad, but you'll need some math if you go premed. Same deal, you can master it now and have a cake-walk later or apply your effort elsewhere.

English Literature- don't know much about this one. Many schools require a semester or two of English, but through personal experience, they're much more willing to accept alternative credits for this than a science course. If there's anything that they'd take an AP for, it'd be this.

Music Theory- um... do you like music? (I know nothing about this course)

Psychology- This wouldn't be a bad choice. Lots of majors have an intro Psych requirement (which is painful) before you can get to the fun classes like Abnormal Psych. It's not a med school requirement so you can get the credit now and then have some fun with the upper levels in college if you find that you liked it.

in general... med school requisites will probably need to be repeated if you're applying via a standard admissions cycle. Taking non-required classes that will fulfill a major requirement wouldn't be a bad idea, but in general, it's a good idea to take a class you'll enjoy.

english, calculus BC, Psych, Gov't, physics, bio--and that's all AP,

which should i keep, and which should i let go??

im trying to find which could get me the highest GPA


i have to keep economics, and english..which do you guys think i should drop??

and i can't access the page link you gave me deepakote...

can someone tell me which classes i should def. take...

and to where i can get the highest gpa..

if u can get in contact with ur counselor u should talk to him or her about it.

she didn't give me any suggestions on which ones i should take...

that's why i'm asking you all to help me...

english, calculus BC, Psych, Gov't, physics, bio--and that's all AP,

which should i keep, and which should i let go??

im trying to find which could get me the highest GPA


i have to keep economics, and english..which do you guys think i should drop??

Ok, so you need to take:

English and Econ

That leaves
calculus BC- You can take this, but you'll probably have to take some calc in College, just FYI
Psych- This would be a good one to take. :thumbup:
Gov't- wouldn't hurt to take this.
physics- I'm told this is a particularly tough class (GPA :thumbdown) and a rough AP test. Plus you'll probably have to retake it in college if you're applying to med school. :thumbdown
bio- This isn't a bad class, but again, you'll either have to retake it in college or take upper level courses if you're applying to med school. Still, if you're looking to keep 1 class, I'd keep this one b/c it's a decent foundation.


Personally, if you were going to take 5 classes (standard courseload?) I'd say take English, Econ, Psych, Govt and Calc or Bio (your choice) in that order.

and i can't access the page link you gave me deepakote...

Follow the instructions here (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=543319).

thanks for your help depakote..

so you seriously think that i don't need to take physics?

but i can keep both calc and bio?

you don't need to take AP physics... I was assuming that you are fulfilling your requirements to graduate. If you haven't taken any physics at all, you should probably take some, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend AP.

and I said calc OR bio... not "and"

(but it's your senior year, do whatever you want)

wow depakote..you truly are a psychic! i had to drop that class to make room for whatever...

when i visited my counselor today, she made me so depressed by discouraging me of joining the accelerated program, and how i reay had like a 99.9% chance of not making it in...

i just don't know what to do next...

wow depakote..you truly are a psychic! i had to drop that class to make room for whatever...

when i visited my counselor today, she made me so depressed by discouraging me of joining the accelerated program, and how i reay had like a 99.9% chance of not making it in...

i just don't know what to do next...

what reasons did she give to indicate that you wouldn't get in?


Edit:

keep in mind that it isnt the end of the world if you don't get into a BS/MD program. Going to a 4 year college gives you the opportunity to apply through the standard admissions cycle and there are plenty of great schools to apply to that route including every school that offers a combined progam.

she really didn't give any reason...

she just said that; and you know, im tryin hard man...just need to know what i need to work on right now!!

i've done as much as my school has given...only thing bringing me down is 2 test scores..

seriously, what must i do?

anything??

well, you're going to retake the tests, so start with that...

Go ahead and apply to a few combined programs alongside your traditional college apps. The worst that could happen is that you don't get in... it's not going to hurt you to apply.

Also, it sounds like you don't have a whole ton of confidence in your college counselor. Sometimes, counselors are overloaded and aren't able to give the individual attention they need to students. As long as you get all the rec letters you need sent and you're getting the other documentation you need out of her office, take the advice with a grain of salt and apply where you want to go. Just make sure to give yourself some back-ups.

what would you consider to be the "average case scenario" if i do send in all my apps to the schools i put on my list?

anyone?

what would you consider to be the "average case scenario" if i do send in all my apps to the schools i put on my list?

Some of it depends on your test retakes, but I'd guess you'd get interviewed at a couple of places as long as your essays and LORs are reasonably convincing.

It's hard to project for these things, you're just going to have to apply, do everything possible to make your application as strong as possible and be patient. We can give advice, but we're not fortune tellers.

would you think just taking a SAT would do it to put on as a test..

would you think just taking a SAT would do it to put on as a test..

you could probably get away with just taking the SAT... I don't know of any places that require the ACT.

hey depakote...are you in a 6 yr program now?

hey depakote...are you in a 6 yr program now?

no.

I wasn't happy with the program and I left 2.5 years in. I completed my BA did some other things to strengthen my app and I'm about to start my 2nd year in a traditonal 4 year program. I'm much happier in my current program.

what was wrong?

why were you discouraged?

what was wrong?

why were you discouraged?

I wasn't so much discouraged as I found the program to be a terrible fit.

Most 4 year programs are essentially the same, and if you've been accepted into one you've got the foundation to succeed. In the accelerated programs, you're entering as a blank slate.

In the accelerated program I was in, I didn't have a prior college-level foundation to work with and you have to build this while taking somewhere over 20 credit hours a semester (the standard freshman courseload being somewhere around 12-15). Note, this didn't mean I didn't transfer in college credits, they took 29 of my credits and I had plenty that they couldn't take b/c that would have made me a sophomore at the time I started...

When you're trying to cram a BA and MD into 6 years, you generally will compress some things and cut others. Medical School is already compressed and overloaded to such a degree that the program breakdown essentially winds up being a 2+4. My problem with this was that it hurts a student to rush through the basic foundation coursework just to jump on to the next level (i.e., if you compress organic chemistry and the student gets by without mastering it, they're probably going to have trouble with biochemistry). This is similar to medical school, however by then you've had some reasonable courseloads in college and you are capable of adapting.

Anyway... there were plenty of people that did just fine in the program. Many of my friends are now starting their 2nd years of residency while I'm starting my 2nd year of med school, but I know I made the right decision because even when I left, I knew I would still find a way to make myself a doctor. I just knew that wasn't the right place for it. It has just taken a few extra years to make it happen and I'm much wiser for it.

so you're definitely enjoying it now?

OK, so you are getting some good advice on this thread.
My advice is slow down a little and enjoy life. You are an excellent student. 2/998 in high school. Wow. You are an excellent student. Your high school is very big, isn't it? It sounds like the guidance counselor is too busy - par for the course in many public high schools (like where I went).

If it makes you feel any better, I only took 1 or 2 AP classes in high school, and later I got in to a supposedly top 5 in the country med school (not BS/MD program, just regular admissions).

It sounds like you are determined to become a doctor. Make sure it is what you want, and not just what someone else, like your family, is pushing you to do. Just make sure. It's a long career, long training, make sure it's what you want. Then go for it if you really do!

There are lots of BS/MD programs. I have heard good things about Northwestern's (it's 7 years I believe...so cuts off 1 year of college, effectively). Their students seemed quite happy.

It seems you are a very good student with good extracurriculars. Which AP classes you choose to take this year isn't going to make or break your medical school application, now or in the future, although I agree w/taking AP biology + another nonscience AP course as well. I agree you don't need AP physics. You will end up retaking a full year of college physics, biology and 2 of chemistry as premed requirements anyway, so having all the AP's done in high school isn't really necessary, though some AP background is helpful.

The one thing I see that you could improve on is the standardized test scores. Consider taking a class like Princeton Review. You might consider taking the ACT b/c in my opinion it's easier to study for (i.e. more fact based) than the SAT, but that's just my opinion.

Another thing to think about is there are many colleges/universities that have guaranteed entry programs into their university medical schools. I think St Louis University has some program like that...guaranteed entry after sophomore year if you keep a certain GPA...the MCAT doesn't matter though you are required to take it.

But trust me, I'm 34 (MD/future cardiologist). You need to enjoy the next couple of years, do some fun stuff! You have worked hard and I know will continue to do so, but you don't want to be one of those people that burns out at 35 because all you did was work work work.

thank you for that advice...

but did you take the SAT also, or just the ACT, b/c the thing is I'm not the greatest test taker, and I think I was too overconfident, b/c usually I score in the 2100-2200s.

I really am excited about this career, and it's based on my own perceptions and my own opinions. I'm not forced, but I think that I really want to do this now; I don't want to wait.

There's no one here in my area that feels so much as to pursue something, and I really am confident I've done this.

I'm 16; I have been involved in the whole medical scene since I was 9, b/c my mom's boss was a doctor...so I occasionally would follow him around, but had to do the dreading medical record work. I was lucky to get such kinks, and to see how a doctor lived his life. Nothing compares to it...

I just am not so sure that I could pull of a seat of 20, when my counselor discourages me, because to tell you the truth, I found an opportunity to finish my undergrad in 2 yrs, and I really think that's the best way to go..I don't think I can just wait more years. I really do think that I am ready.


I do have one question: If you are enrolled in a 4 yr prgm, do you think you could go to med school on an early note, if you get all your work done?

I do have one question: If you are enrolled in a 4 yr prgm, do you think you could go to med school on an early note, if you get all your work done

I do have one question: If you are enrolled in a 4 yr prgm, do you think you could go to med school on an early note, if you get all your work done
you would have to plan on graduating early and fulfill the admissions requirements on an accelerated timeline.

you'd need to complete multiple pre-requisites prior to taking the MCAT, and then complete the 1 year long application process and graduate in order to matriculate into medical school. On top of that, you'd need to have your extracurriculars, top notch grades and everything else the med schools want. It's tough enough to do this in 4 years, I wouldn't expect to successfully do it in 3.

I've been tap-dancing around overtly stating this throughout the thread, but I'll just go ahead and give you some advice:

Patience is a good thing. I know you want to be a doctor, but this isn't something you have to do as soon as possible. The fastest path does not equal best path.


And to answer your above question, I am definitely happy in my current program. It's a great environment and it's very supportive. Plus, I entered with a strong foundation so I've been able to adapt to what's been thrown at me.

thanks for the outlook!

i'm guessing that it'd be good that i could take things slow..im one yr younger than the avg. grad...

what are real advantages and disadvantages of both accelerated and non accelerated prgms?

are there any real advantages of getting into bs/md prgm, or is it just tons of work in a short amt of time...

Just read this thread for the first time...I'll chime in.

Vstexas09, in my opinion, there are definite benefits in being part of a non-accelerated BS/MD program. For example, because you know from day 1 of college that you have a place in med school waiting for you, the pressure's off. You don't have to worry about whether or not you're taking all the perfect classes, getting enough science classes in, beefing up your resume enough, etc etc. Because you have pre-acceptance to med school, you can feel more freedom to pursue other areas in college, like arts, music, humanities, or whatever else happens to interest you. In fact, this is the main reason behind the existance of some of the BS/MD programs....the idea is that you end up with more well-rounded, broadly educated individuals who will make better doctors because of it. But that's not to say that BS/MD program folks are better doctors than people who do it the traditional way!! I'm just trying to point out some reasons why BS/MD programs may be worth considering.

I can't really comment on the accelerated programs, because I'm not entirely sure myself that accelerated tracks are a good thing. I am very glad I had every year of the 8 that I spent in college and med school...I think the pace was just fine, and I wouldn't have wanted to do things any faster. In fact, I don't know if I would have gotten as good an education if things HAD been more condensed and fast-paced. Because I took all 4 years in college, I was able to be in the band, take a couple random classes like drawing and Tai Chi, be very involved in the co-ed service fraternity, and also take several Medical Humanities classes. I wouldn't trade any of those experiences for anything!

I would also echo what Depakote said above...It's great that you're so passionate about becoming a doctor! But, take a step back, take a deep breath, slow down. You'll get there if you want it bad enough. If you are interested in BS/MD programs, now is the time to start researching them, but don't forget that you don't HAVE to be in one in order for things to turn out just fine. There's nothing wrong with going the traditional route and just worrying about picking a college right now, and picking your med school later.

I seriously hate to make my 2nd post here a negative one. But in all honesty, I must say, vstexas, you really need to slow down. Otherwise you're going to burn yourself out and not enjoy any of it.

First of all, combination programs are great. But I wouldn't seriously be heartbroken if you didn't get in. 99% of the time, those 4 years in College before medical school are going to be the best years of your life, and you have a lot less stress being that you know where you want to go/do after you get your BA, etc.

Plus, one such as yourself would be able to build a bigger and better resume to show to medical schools with the resources and opportunities that even in-state college's have.

I applaud your hard work in high school, and am a bit jealous of it myself (my competition lol). But even if you go to your local in-state University. You could better round yourself, kill all that hyperness and stress, and have better chances of getting into Harvard Med or Johns Hopkins.

Just my two cents though.

If you do decide to apply for BA/MD programs, you should take the act. Many schools ask for the act along side the Sat (UKMC, Hpme, Sophie Davis, PSU). Make sure you fulfill all the reqs; you don't want to be messed up by not having the correc t stuff done.

so far the two things bringing me down are my SAT score and my one failing AP (calc AB) score...

do u think those are things to improve...

what methods should I work on this year in order for me to better improve myself?

i take the SAT on oct. 9, and the BC exam in may...

so i've decided to send out my applications to all the schools right after the SAT...

do i have a chance, if i improve my SAT to above 2000...because I heard that most combo prgms look only at CR and math scores...

do i have time to improve??

You can still work on preparing for the test (practice tests and so forth).

And until the decision is made on your application, you can improve it... it is not uncommon in the medical school application process to send update letters and letters of interest letting the school know that you're interested in them and what new things you've been doing in the past year. This let's the school know you're interested and shows them you've been working to make your application stronger.

is it true that you could send gifts?

is it true that you could send gifts?

gifts would probably be inappropriate and it would be unethical for the admissions committee to accept them if the sole reason you sent them was to increase your chances of admission.

A simple "I like your school" (this is why _____ ), "these are the new and and interesting things I'm doing" letter would be a better idea.

so is this along with when you send your applications in, or at random times?

so is this along with when you send your applications in, or at random times?

generally, this follows an application and may be before/after an interview or both.

also sending a thank you letter talking about how you appreciate the time they took to interview you

does that serve as some sort of advantage??

I wouldn't say advantage, but it might help get your application looked at or help them consider new aspects of your file. If nothing else, it at least reminds them that you're out there.

As for the post-interview thank you, this is more of a courtesy than anything. I wouldn't read into it helping you (the decision might already be made by the time the interviewer reads it), but it's professional and it would only hurt if you come off as insincere.

are extra-curriculars a big part of the selection process?

are extra-curriculars a big part of the selection process? Let me just point out that I wish I was you, you blow me out of the water. I don't know anything about BS/MD programs but I can tell you that you will get into some of the best schools with those credentials, you should be proud of yourself.:thumbup:

My updated list of EC's:

Gents (2 years, Lupus walk, step shows, initiation, brotherhood meetings to discuss today's issues)
-Debate (Facilitator, Parliamentarian, 4 yrs, won several trophies for extemporaneous events, debate, bible reading, group improv)
-Academic Decathalon (varied positions, 1 yr)
-National Honor Society (3 yrs, community service, trash bash, *in the process of starting my own project called Hoops for Hope, hosting basketball tournaments with the help of sponsors to donate to AIDS research*
-National Tech Honor Society (2 yrs, VP or Treasurer)
-Volunteer Activities (4+ years, all in the medical field, 400+ hours?)
-Church Youth Fellowship(3 yrs, Habitat for Humanity, Food Drives, Mexico Mission (building houses on coastal islands, aid with education, and medical awareness trips), served as deacon, won several state speech competitions, youth basketball team)
-Math and Science Club (1 yr)
-Newspaper (1 yr)
-Class Representative (Ideas for Prom, Homecoming, listening to ideas of students, and incorporating them into class)
-Set Director (Encounters movie production, became local hit)

what do you guys think?

well...i took the SAT today..and it was so hard...im a little depressed...

do u guys think i have a shot at penn??

well...i took the SAT today..and it was so hard...im a little depressed...

do u guys think i have a shot at penn??

wait until you get your scores back. I generally don't do a good job predicting how I did on tests.

Just enjoy the fact that it's over.

there were so many distractions...is it normal to take it 3 times?

there were so many distractions...is it normal to take it 3 times?

Many people take it 3 times.

Don't sweat it.

Enjoy life, one day you will be working and waking up so early your friends are still awake :laugh:

you have done like everything out there... Maybe too much clubs arent that good, it doesnt show commitment.

but honestly, this is a period of 4 yrs...i spread this across the duration of 4 yrs...

Yes i know its over a period of 4 years.
So what college did you get into? or Which colleges are you looking at right now?

I'm in a BS/MD program right now with Baylor College that's not accelerated, and I'm loving it. Like people have said before me, the pace of a non-accelerated program is fine - not too fast, not too slow. And I get to take the most random classes that I enjoy without really having to worry about MCATs or GPA (I'm planning on taking this great Wine-Tasting course sometime soon). But above all, I have time to have fun with friends - something that would have been hard to do if I were on an accelerated program.

For the interview process for my BS/MD program, they asked me a lot about my experiences in healthcare - research-based or clinical-based. They really drilled me about it to make sure I knew what I was talking about. I was even asked some facts on the history of medicine (Q: What was Edward Jenner famous for doing?). Know your healthcare policies, and especially develop a well-informed opinion about the policies supported by this year's presidential candidates. Interviewers love it when you can have a discussion. That's extremely important during an interview: show that you can think for yourself. Be prepared to share your thoughts on everything (I was also asked my opinion of The Tale of Two Cities, of China's healthcare system, and of the Bodyworld's exhibit).

I know you're keen on going to UPenn, but just for back-up, maybe you should look into the Rice BS/MD program (http://futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Rice_Baylor_FAQs.asp) or the Baylor/Baylor BS/MD program (http://www.baylor.edu/prehealth/index.php?id=36430) that's right there in your state.

You can tell I'm in love with BCM, can't you?

Yes i know its over a period of 4 years.
So what college did you get into? or Which colleges are you looking at right now?

Here's my list: UT Austin, Georgetown, Penn, Johns Hopkins, Temple

BS/MD: Drexel, Howard, Penn St., Temple, Tx A&M

i will be taking the SAT a total of three times:

June-1890 (590 (reading), 630 (math), 670 (writing)

October-score not available, but didn't feel too confident

November-I'm preparing and hoping for the best...

SAT Subject Tests in December...

you guys think i have a shot??

i will be taking the SAT a total of three times:

June-1890 (590 (reading), 630 (math), 670 (writing)

October-score not available, but didn't feel too confident

November-I'm preparing and hoping for the best...

SAT Subject Tests in December...

you guys think i have a shot??

Just going to have to wait and see, it's an ambitious list but you've got some strong stats and the only think weighing you down is your SAT which you've still got 2 scores pending on.

do you guys think i can make it?

i have a big problem...

every time i come home from school, i feel drowsy, so i take a nap...but then i lose 2 hrs and feel horrible about it...

im trying not to procrastinate, but on avg. i sleep at 3 in the morning...is there any solution?

i have a big problem...

every time i come home from school, i feel drowsy, so i take a nap...but then i lose 2 hrs and feel horrible about it...

im trying not to procrastinate, but on avg. i sleep at 3 in the morning...is there any solution?

the solution would be to not stay up until 3am and stay awake when you're drowsy so you regularize your sleep schedule. Try to be in bed by a reasonable hour on school nights.

i will be taking the SAT a total of three times:

June-1890 (590 (reading), 630 (math), 670 (writing)

October-score not available, but didn't feel too confident

November-I'm preparing and hoping for the best...

SAT Subject Tests in December...

you guys think i have a shot??

Hmm, your SAT score is a little on the low side for Bacc/MD programs. The lowest score my friends in Bacc/MD programs had gotten was 2150. It might be a little tough for you to get in a Bacc/MD program based solely on your SAT scores.

As for your losing two hours of study time, I'll echo Depakote. Work through those two hours (I know it's tough) so you can go to bed earlier. As important as studying is, sleeping's a pretty essential part of your day as well.

quick question:

i want to try and keep my rank in school as salutatorian

my GPA is a 4.850

and the kid behind me is a 4.798

do you think ill be ahead at the end of the year...im taking more AP classes than he is...

quick question:

i want to try and keep my rank in school as salutatorian

my GPA is a 4.850

and the kid behind me is a 4.798

do you think ill be ahead at the end of the year...im taking more AP classes than he is...

I think you have a great chance of being salutatorian if your GPA stays better than his.

(we aren't fortune tellers)

its monmouth, not manmouth....although the latter would be pretty funny....lol

the program is not accelerated, its guaranteed admission into drexel med as long as u maintain a 3.5 and get a 29 on the mcats.

they require that u have a 3.5 or better and a 1280 with no score less than 580 (math and reading) with a total of 1280 or greater.

bad news..im uber depressed...

i got my scores today and i only got a 1760....there go my dreams....

im really sad, and now it feels as if i have no chance at even the regulars...


i take the SAT for the third time next saturday...

At this point you want to focus on staying positive for your SAT retake. You want to go into the test day feeling confident.

If you're worried about your chances you can add some safety schools. It's possible to get into med school from just about any college, your SAT performance won't really matter for med school admissions.

i just regret this testing ordeal...that's the only drawback i have..

i think i have a little good news...i took the test today and feel as if i aced it...just pray for me...