accelerated medical programs

[Mystique]

Hi, I'm "Aphrodite's" sister, and I'm a junior in high school right now. I read this board occasionally, and I think it's great, w/ the exception of my sister's posts. --I love these things. I have my heart set on getting accepted into a 6-7 yr bachelors/MD program. I have a couple of questions regarding some in particular. Currently, I'm looking into Northwestern's HPME, the Penn State/Thomas Jefferson program, and the Rice/Baylor program.
Before I start, is it true that even if you decide to attend one of these that you aren't obligated to attend their medical school? I can decide to go elsewhere for medical school? I mainly want to know about the reputations of these programs. I've heard that you aren't eligible for merit-based scholarships in these programs--is that true? Also, does Penn State/Jeff still give you the option of finishing in 6 years? I've heard conflicting reports from my friends. If any of you know anything about the reputations of these programs, I'd love to hear what you have to say. Thanks a bunch.

(P.S. Thanks "Aphro". Now, I think you should change your passwd before it's TOO late )

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[Mystique]

*AHEM* I thought I already answered some of your questions before, but maybe not. As if you would believe me anyways.
You CAN decide to matriculate at XYZ med school even if you get into ABC's accelerated program.
As far as the merit scholarships go, I think that may depend on the school.
Penn State has the option where you can finish in 6 years, but then you'd have to spend your summers taking classes. I think you should just look into seven years so you can have some "chill time."
Maybe, someone else can answer your other ?s.

(P.S. Next time all you need to do is ask or REGISTER yourself...)

 

[Papa Smurf]

Yo yo yo, what up Aphroditty? Um, to answer your questions. Yes, you can apply out of these programs. Many people do. The only reason a lot of the lower ranked undergrad schools offer these BS/MD programs is to the strengthen the composition of their incoming class. What better way to do that than to play on the fears of overachieving high schoolers that they may not get into medical school if they go the traditional route? It's BS, coz if you're smart enough to get into one of these programs, you can get into medical school provided you maintain your work ethic. Personally, I would've become the ultimate slacker if I got into one of these things, but that's just me. Tell your sister Afro to give up her copy of the MSAR (she'll know what I'm talking about). It has a list of all the combined BS/MD programs in the country. They're all competitive as hell, especially HPME at NU. As for whether or not you can get merit-based scholarships, I dunno. Who are they gonna give it to? Virutally everyone that gets into these programs, especially at the top schools, has a 4.0, top of their class, 1500+ SAT, blah blah blah EC's. So you see their dilemma? Perhaps you should try for merit based scholarships that are independent of any educational institution. Oh, and as far as I know, the Penn St/Jefferson program still lets you finish in 6 years. Later.

 

[EuropiumCC]

Hey, i'm actually in an accelerated med program and I agree with Papa Smurf. I think that if you're smart enough to get in to one of these things then you're smart enough to get into med school the traditional way. I think the most important things to be asking right now is really why do you want to come to a med program. If you get into one of these things you're probably holding acceptances from many other schools that have better undergraduate programs then those offered by the med programs. Do you think you'll regret going to undergrad at a less prestigous place than you could? Most of the people in the program i'm in still work like crazy (albeit less so then some pre-meds I know here) and have huge grades. You should really go to a school because you're happy with it and not because of a med program. I'm not saying that med programs are bad because they certainly take a great deal of stress off the normal pre-med experience. I'm just saying that if you go to one it should be because of the school and not because of the program. Just some thoughts. PM me if you have any specific questions about my program.

 

[Foxy's Hermanita]

Oh yes! The little sisters are taking over!!!

(ok, this is really doctora foxy posting, but I registered for my sister hoping she would get addicted just like me. Hasn't happened yet....)

 

[Mystique]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by EuropiumCC:
•Hey, i'm actually in an accelerated med program and I agree with Papa Smurf. I think that if you're smart enough to get in to one of these things then you're smart enough to get into med school the traditional way. I think the most important things to be asking right now is really why do you want to come to a med program. If you get into one of these things you're probably holding acceptances from many other schools that have better undergraduate programs then those offered by the med programs. Do you think you'll regret going to undergrad at a less prestigous place than you could? Most of the people in the program i'm in still work like crazy (albeit less so then some pre-meds I know here) and have huge grades. You should really go to a school because you're happy with it and not because of a med program. I'm not saying that med programs are bad because they certainly take a great deal of stress off the normal pre-med experience. I'm just saying that if you go to one it should be because of the school and not because of the program. Just some thoughts. PM me if you have any specific questions about my program.•••••EuropiumCC,
Hey, the little "twerp" is gone for the rest of the week, but she read your reply and wanted me to ask you which program you're in? Is it Northwestern's HPME? If so, she'd love to get all sorts of information out of you b/c that's her dream school (for now...it changes monthly). Beware though, she'll bombard you w/ questions left and right. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to offer your assistance. I'll let her communicate w/ you directly once she's back in town b/c I hate being the third party. :wink: Thanks for your help.

 

[Mystique]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Foxy's Hermanita:
•Oh yes! The little sisters are taking over!!!

(ok, this is really doctora foxy posting, but I registered for my sister hoping she would get addicted just like me. Hasn't happened yet....)•••••That's what I'm afraid of...if she posts on here too, I'll feel soo much older. Sis and sis posting on the same forum... <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />

 

[borya_2002]

i need to see which sister is cute

 

[EuropiumCC]

Aphrodite/Aphrodite's sister:

Yeah, i'm in HPME. I guess if you have any questions about the program you can email me. I think my information is posted somewhere on this site. If not it's [email protected]

 

[Mystique]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by borya_2002:
•i need to see which sister is cute•••••Well since you didn't use the comparative form, I'll go ahead and tell you that we're both cute in our own ways.

 

[Mystique]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by EuropiumCC:
•Aphrodite/Aphrodite's sister:

Yeah, i'm in HPME. I guess if you have any questions about the program you can email me. I think my information is posted somewhere on this site. If not it's [email protected]•••••Great! She'll be thrilled to know that. I'm sure she'll PM you w/ her questions this weekend or next week. Gracias!