Anyone in a BA/MD program?

[Nick K]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and I was wondering if you guys could help me with a decision. I'm extremely interested in the medical field and I think I'd like to apply to a combined BA/MD program. Can anyone suggest any good ones in the northeast? Also, has anyone gotten into any of these programs? If so, what do you think of them? Thanks so much =).

 

[EddieL]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and I was wondering if you guys could help me with a decision. I'm extremely interested in the medical field and I think I'd like to apply to a combined BA/MD program. Can anyone suggest any good ones in the northeast? Also, has anyone gotten into any of these programs? If so, what do you think of them? Thanks so much =).

Hi there,

Here's a list of all the programs: link, link

These programs are very competitive to get into. You should have hospital experience, excellent SAT I + II scores, a 3.5+ GPA, and a ranking in at least the top 10% of your class.

They're great if you know you want to be a doctor (110%), as you can graduate in less time. However, they can be problematic if you want to change your career path, but are stuck in the program.

Also, you could fail out and lose your place (some have very hard requirements, even 3.7+). Additionally, with ones requiring only 2 years of undergraduate, they often make you take your MCAT with only two years of college coursework.

A final con would likely be you don't have much of a choice as to where you want to go to school. If you apply to a ton of them, even with awesome stats, you may only get into a few or maybe none (spots are really limited, only a few for hundreds of applicants). You could end up in a miserable university across the state for 2-4 years of school instead of having your choice of where you want to go.

If you post your stats, we could probably help you more.

 

[Nick K]

Thanks for the info so far, and since you asked here are my stats as of now:

SAT I: 2400
SAT II: Bio = 800; Chem = 800; Math 2 = 800
I'm half way through my junior year so my GPA and rank aren't up to date. But for my first two years I was 3/335
As for volunteer experience I volunteered at a hospital and at the local first aid squad.

I really can't see myself doing anything other than medicine every day for the rest of my working life, but I agree with you. That can always change and nothing's ever certain.

 

[Chamahk]

Thanks for the info so far, and since you asked here are my stats as of now:

SAT I: 2400
SAT II: Bio = 800; Chem = 800; Math 2 = 800
I'm half way through my junior year so my GPA and rank aren't up to date. But for my first two years I was 3/335
As for volunteer experience I volunteered at a hospital and at the local first aid squad.

I really can't see myself doing anything other than medicine every day for the rest of my working life, but I agree with you. That can always change and nothing's ever certain.

Don't know you personally but I'm proud of you man. Make me wish I worked hard in high school.

 

[Nick K]

Don't know you personally but I'm proud of you man. Make me wish I worked hard in high school.

Thanks, and I'm sure you'll do great too! =)

 

[randombetch]

I reaaaaaaaaallllllyyyyy wish I were in one. 🙁

 

[masturhu]

Hey I'm in a combined program and I absolutely love it. The only problem is that they are extremely competitive to get into. In fact, I was on the waitlist of my program and then got in. I ended up doing amazing and now I've interviewed at Harvard and will at JHU.

If I were in your shoes, I would make sure that the program in non-binding. There was a binding program at another school in my state and what ended up happening is that all the students ended up being slackers because they couldn't shoot for anything better. It's like communism, in theory a great idea, but it makes everyone lazy.

So overall, I'd recommend a non-binding combined program over top schools.

 

[FloatOn]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone is currently in a combined BA/MD program and what your experience is like (and what program you're in). I'm thinking of applying to such a program. Thanks =)

I posted a similar thread in the hSDN forum, but I think this might be a better place to post it.

Sorry OP but this thread is probably going to get moved back to hSDN. They always do.

 

[Luun]

Sorry OP but this thread is probably going to get moved back to hSDN. They always do.

I'm not sure if this is similar, but there's a program at my undergrad where you apply for advanced placement in the university's medical school, and if you're accepted into the program, you must graduate with a B.A. and attend that medical school. That certainly isn't a high school thing, since you must apply after your sophomore year of college. (You pretty much spend your first 2 years of college doing the pre-reqs, then your last two years are for your BA degree). Don't have to take the MCAT either! 😱

 

[deleted316655]

I've also been really interested in these programs. They seem so amazing, even if they are going to be extremely challenging. Still, being able to get two degrees, especially good ones, is definitely a plus. Do you have any tips that would help me get into such a program, or just med school in general?