anyone in a Combined BS-MD program???

[jade45]

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hi - i'm a senior in high school and i was just wondering if anyone out there knows of any CURRENT COMBINED BS-MD programs. and if so - do they require the mcat during undergrad? any info would be helpful - thanks!

 

[deleted106503]

hi - i'm a senior in high school and i was just wondering if anyone out there knows of any CURRENT COMBINED BS-MD programs. and if so - do they require the mcat during undergrad? any info would be helpful - thanks!

I know UF has a 7 year MD-BS program (I think BS, maybe something else). They don't require you to take the MCAT. You just need to have a high undergrad GPA for I believe the first two years of undergrad and a very high SAT score (avg is in the mid 1400s on the old SAT that was out of 1600). They only accpet about 7 or less students a year. I wouldn't really suggest going into a program like this because you might change your mind on what med school you want to go to later in undergrad. At least for me.

 

[burntfries]

USC and UCSD have 8-year BS/MD programs that are highly competitive. No MCAT is required before applying, but you can only apply to the SD program if they invite you (i.e. you have an SAT score of 1450+...or whatever that is on the new scale).

 

[zbruinz]

for UCSD, you need a minimum of 2250 and a certain UC GPA for them to give you an application. All applicants under biology or life science will get an application if they meet the criteria.

 

[akademiks1989]

If I knew about this ahead of time, I would've applied.

I found out that Jefferson Med School (Penn State) has a combined program.

And my friend said Loyola in Chicago did too, but I couldn't find it.

BrianUM is in the program.

 

[BrownianMotion]

Brown has their PLME program, 8yrs, no mcat, major in anything, woulda been an ideal thing for a premed to do, all you have to do is pass your classes in undergrad to matriculate into med skool after four years, but its really hard to get into as well, but they do have 50-60 seats so its prolly still easier than these other combined programs that have like 5-7 seats

i believe rice-baylor also has an 8yr no mcat program if im correct...

 

[zbruinz]

Brown's progam is AMAZING. I would have applied if I took the chem SAT II. definitely apply to this one.

 

[narc]

I would def do one of these if I could do it all over again. Esp to just avoid 1) The MCAT (some programs let this happen) 2) The cost of the MCAT 3) The pain of applying 4) Cost of applying. So much more too....

 

[doctordutch]

Yeah, no MCAT and you can major in anything you want. NYU also has a BA/MD program, eight years.

Brown has their PLME program, 8yrs, no mcat, major in anything, woulda been an ideal thing for a premed to do, all you have to do is pass your classes in undergrad to matriculate into med skool after four years, but its really hard to get into as well, but they do have 50-60 seats so its prolly still easier than these other combined programs that have like 5-7 seats

i believe rice-baylor also has an 8yr no mcat program if im correct...

 

[MissMcCall]

Wayne State has an eight year BS-MD program:

http://honors.wayne.edu/medstart.php

 

[James Moriarty]

I know UF has a 7 year MD-BS program (I think BS, maybe something else). They don't require you to take the MCAT. You just need to have a high undergrad GPA for I believe the first two years of undergrad and a very high SAT score (avg is in the mid 1400s on the old SAT that was out of 1600). They only accpet about 7 or less students a year. I wouldn't really suggest going into a program like this because you might change your mind on what med school you want to go to later in undergrad. At least for me.

I am in the UF 7 year BS/MD program as a junior. So far, everyone at UF seems extremely welcoming and accomdating (especially after they hear you are in this program). William's concern about changing what schools you may want to attend near the time of your application cycle is very valid, and if you are ambivalent I would not apply to any combined program lest you may torture yourself with the question "What if I had gone to school XYZ?".

That said, UF is a superb state school with instate tuitition, which played a big role in my decision to come to this program in concordance with the top notch faculty and programs.

If you have a combined BS/MD program in your area, check it out 🙂.

 

[Depakote]

Just make sure you research the program well.

Programs that accellerate the process by cutting corners aren't worth doing.

trust me.

 

[thoffen]

The MSAR has valuable information about these programs.

 

[Depakote]

Just a note:

If you can get some form of early assurance... by all means TAKE IT

But don't do these programs to cut time, in the long run 6-7 years is really not that much shorter than 8 but the amount of added stress and the info you miss out on really winds up hurting you in the end.

You're better off putting the drive you'd use in the first years of a 6-7 year program into making yourself a great candidate for medical school and actually enjoying college.

I'm not saying that these programs don't work for some people, but there are a lot of people that could have done great in a 4x4 track that got totally knocked off course by the abbreviated version.

 

[James Moriarty]

Just a note:

If you can get some form of early assurance... by all means TAKE IT

But don't do these programs to cut time, in the long run 6-7 years is really not that much shorter than 8 but the amount of added stress and the info you miss out on really winds up hurting you in the end.

You're better off putting the drive you'd use in the first years of a 6-7 year program into making yourself a great candidate for medical school and actually enjoying college.

I'm not saying that these programs don't work for some people, but there are a lot of people that could have done great in a 4x4 track that got totally knocked off course by the abbreviated version.

Touche, but what is one year really to some people? One could argue the opposite side of the coin by saying you have one year less of premed stress of dealing with the MCAT and so forth. In my case, although my senior year is technically med school, my junior year I am taking classes I enjoy and plan to live this year up to the fullest. Had I not been accepted, I'd be studying my tail off for the MCAT, while simultaneously plotting how to strengthen my ECs even more.
But for the sake of argument, what if I did exceptional on my MCAT and had a great total package? My senior year could have been filled with interviews, potentially leaving little time for me to enjoy myself. What if I messed up? The anxiety that would cause would be terrible (for me at least).

In anycase, if you are going to cut corners, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into by weighing the risks vs benefits. In my case, the benefits heavily outweigh the risks. And as a person who responds to incentives, here I am at the program.

*Note* Interestingly, I do have my qualms with 6 year programs. You really don't have time to enjoy college life. Suffice to say, had this been a 6 year BS/MD program, I wouldn't have applied.

 

[deleted106503]

Glad you like it so far. 🙂 Maybe if I head back up to UF for my MD, too, we'd graduate in the same class.

The 7 year thing allured me, but I ended up solving that (since I wasn't sure if I wanted to commit that early) by just graduating in 3 years with a business major. Instead of applying last Fall to make it 7 years straight, I'm taking a year off.

One huge advantage I can see you have is you didn't have to waste time and money on applications and MCAT. Anywho, I was probably 200 pts short of what they wanted for my SAT to even get considered. I didn't stand a chance. 🙂

I am in the UF 7 year BS/MD program as a junior. So far, everyone at UF seems extremely welcoming and accomdating (especially after they hear you are in this program). William's concern about changing what schools you may want to attend near the time of your application cycle is very valid, and if you are ambivalent I would not apply to any combined program lest you may torture yourself with the question "What if I had gone to school XYZ?".

That said, UF is a superb state school with instate tuitition, which played a big role in my decision to come to this program in concordance with the top notch faculty and programs.

If you have a combined BS/MD program in your area, check it out 🙂.

 

[BrianUM]

Hey there,

As someone mentioned, I was accepted earlier this summer to a BS/MD program. To be specific this program was for the University of Miami. I am currently entering my 3rd and last yr at the U of Miami. I took the MCAT this past weekend hopefully for the 1st and last time. The requirements for the program according to its website are to have a 3.7 gpa both science and non science and a 26 MCAT. However since I started college before the requirements changed I need just a 3.2 science gpa, 3.4 overall gpa and I was told that I don't need a minimum score on the MCAT-just need to take it.

I applied out of HS to UM's BS/MD programs for HS seniors and didn't get in. My only advice is to make sure you understand what you are getting into when you apply to these programs. Some people, like myself, should experience college before deciding on med school. Sure I wanted to be a doctor in HS but my experiences in surgical rooms, doctors' offices, and research further fueled my decision to study medicine. I now feel more ready and sure of myself as I embark on my future medical studies.

So if you feel ready and sure that medicine is for you then by all means apply now. Just realize that these programs are not for everyone and that you are making a career altering decision so soon.

Good luck!