7 year programs or regular cycle

[radioactive15]

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I have a tough situation to decide whether to apply for 2 possible IS-7 year programs or apply traditionally

7 year school 1:
MMI Interview
3.9 average GPA of accepted students
tougher competition to get in
good research reputation

7 year school 2:
3.8 average GPA
requires min 31 mcat
located in dangerous area
better clinical experience
lighter competition to get in

trad. cycle:
probably can get admitted into better programs


My stats:
soph, 3.95 GPA, decent research and volunteering
MCAT practice average ~34 (on old practice tests, no idea how it will translate to new)

My take:
I believe at the moment I have a fairly good chance of getting into the 2nd option, but the safety of the school is detracting me.
The best thing would be the first option but I am not sure if I am competitive enough to get accepted there.
These two are both good in that I can save a year of tuition
Should I be overly concerned about the safety of the surrounding area in making the decision?
I feel like i can get the equivalent of a 34 of the new mcat when I officially take it, and maybe a better score after I spend some more time studying, which would allow me to get into better med schools

What should I do? Apply to the 1st option with low chance of getting accepted, apply to the 2nd with a strong chance, or apply to the last option like everyone else

 

[Deranged Medic]

Missed a part of your post—mine no longer applies.

 

[NYCdude]

I can't tell if you're a high school student or not, either lol.

If you are a high school student, I'll give you an anecdote. I have a family friend who was a top of the line student, near perfect SAT, impeccable GPA, insane EC's, and the best BS/MD program he got into was Stonybrook. He had offers from top 10 institutions for undergrad but he took the BS/MD and it's not even accelerated, it's 8 years.

 

[Deranged Medic]

I can't tell if you're a high school student or not, either lol.

If you are a high school student, I'll give you an anecdote. I have a family friend who was a top of the line student, near perfect SAT, impeccable GPA, insane EC's, and the best BS/MD program he got into was Stonybrook. He had offers from top 10 institutions for undergrad but he took the BS/MD and it's not even accelerated, it's 8 years.

They said MCAT practice average is around a 34, so I assume OP is not a high schooler. I'm not certain what 7 year programs we are talking about though...

 

[Deranged Medic]

This is how I feel when I read the original post:

 

[NYCdude]

They said MCAT practice average is around a 34, so I assume OP is not a high schooler. I'm not certain what 7 year programs we are talking about though...

Whoa I didn't see that. Imagine OP is a junior in high school and taking MCATs and getting 35's? In that case, forget the BS/MD and go Harvard med or bust.

 

[Deranged Medic]

OP, I'm really not certain what type of programs you are asking about, but if you are worried about your safety at a certain school, do you really want to spend 7 years there? If you are coming out of college with a 3.95 and 34 MCAT, your doors should be wide open. Don't risk a knife in your back when you have the potential to get in somewhere else.

 

[radioactive15]

lol no, I'm a soph in college.

the seven year things refer to 3 undergrad + 4 med school as opposed to 4 + 4.
In the "unsafe" area, I would only be spending med school years there, which i dont know whether would be wise to do...
both of the schools tend to be classified as low tier, which probably explains why they want to recruit high achievers and unintentionally prevents them from being accepted into better schools they normally would get..

Will a 3.9 and 34-equivalent be strong for middle tiers or upper-middle tiers if I apply normally?

Edit: the 1st option is more competitve than FlexMed while the 2nd is easier to get into.

 

[UCUCUC]

I don't think OP quite understand what the 7 years bs/md programs are. I think OP is asking if he/she should apply with only 3 years of undergrad vs the more 'traditional' 4 years. As long as you complete all prereqs, graduate with a degree, and show qualities of a well rounded applicant, then go ahead and apply.

edit: op asking if he/she should do an early assurance into med school.

 

[radioactive15]

I don't think OP quite understand what the 7 years bs/md programs are. I think OP is asking if he/she should apply with only 3 years of undergrad vs the more 'traditional' 4 years. As long as you complete all prereqs, graduate with a degree, and show qualities of a well rounded applicant, then go ahead and apply.

No, the programs I am referring to are 7 year programs that only sophmores apply to.
basically i finish my degree in 3 years and then start med school if accepted. if not, then im in the same boat as everyone else.

I will probably just end up applying normally. That way I can explore more options and hopefully get into better ranked schools or other schools which I may like after exploring if my stats project to be good enough

Thx

 

[Deranged Medic]

Will a 3.9 and 34-equivalent be strong for middle tiers or upper-middle tiers if I apply normally?

According to the MSAR, a 34 MCAT is on the lower end of highest-tiered schools. As long as you keep your grades up and the rest of your app looks good, you shouldn't have any trouble getting into an excellent school.