BS/MD or expensive prestigious college?

[egret]

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So it's coming up on college decision time, and I'm having a hard time deciding where to go.

Some background, I've been interested in medicine for about 5 years, but my interest has really gotten serious over the last 6 months. I've been skulking around SDN, talking to doctors, shadowing, and reading whatever I can about medicine, and I can't imagine anything I'd rather do. I've also worked my tail off in high school and applied to a variety of good schools. I've already been accepted at University of Chicago and am rather optimistic about my chances at some of the other schools. I've also been accepted at University of South Florida, and I intend on doing the BS/MD program they've got if I go there.

USF has offered me a LOT of scholarship money- so much that if I save it right, I'll have med school mostly paid for. And with my own savings or help from my parents, I'd get out of med school without a single loan. I think it would give me so much freedom if I didn't have loans to pay back after med school. I also like the idea of the BS/MD program, since if I have a med school to count on, I think I'd be a lot more willing to pursue any EC that strikes my fancy, do a double major because I feel like it, and generally relax and enjoy undergrad instead of getting caught up in creating "the perfect med school application". I live in Tampa, which has good and bad points. I was looking forward to going at least out of town for college, but it's kind of cool too because I already have a few friends who go to USF and I've already got established interests that are here- volunteer projects that I'd like to continue, my dance school, connections for shadowing, etc. It's a good school and everything and definitely a great deal financially, but it isn't my dream school.

My one big reservation about USF is that, while I can't imagine any career I'd love more than medicine now, I know that people change while in college. If I decide that med school isn't for me, I'll kick myself for not going to Chicago or UVa or another one of my big dream schools.

My other tempting option is to say "Screw the loans" and head up to Chicago or another great school (assuming I get accepted at UVa or somewhere like that). I think it would be fantastic to go out of state for college, and all the schools I applied to have strong programs all around, so if I suddenly decide medicine isn't for me, I'll get an impressive degree from a prestigious school anyway. I love all the schools I applied to, and they all have such awesome options in study abroad (if I could afford it, haha) and so many things to do on campus. The downsides are loans (I don't really qualify for financial need and couldn't imagine asking my parents to cover that much tuition), which will be awful if med school does turn out to be what I want. I know that with a career in medicine, I can pay them back, but it seems so stupid to get 200K in loans when an almost free education is right in front of me.

There's just that nagging sense of "What if?" that leaves me afraid that I'll decide medicine isn't for me and then be stuck at a second-choice state university when I could have gone to my dream school.

Any perspectives would be well appreciated, as many times as I turn this over in my head, I can't seem to come up with anything new! And while I know I have time before I officially need to make this decision, I'd really like to start sorting it out in my head so I can get closer to making a housing deposit.

 

[KempDrumsalot]

First off, if you do a BS/MD 6 year degree, you can not double major. They fit alot of classes in to short of a time for you to be able to manage it.

Second, I would go with UoF. It's a great school, awesome location, and they are offering you a top notch deal. But, we can't tell you what to do, you have to do what you think is right.

 

[dw2158]

wow. first, congratulations on the great offer from USF. second, i can't imagine how hard this decision is for you!

i grew up in a rural area that was very provincial--some people got out, but not many. for a lot of people, the world was just a 20 mile radius around my town. i up and left for new york city for college, and it was the greatest decision of my life. it opened my mind to a million new things and people and i am happier here than i could imagine being anywhere else. i really believe that, as spoiled as this may make me sound, college should be a time for all the fluffy outside-of-class learning that you can manage, and a time to get out of your bubble and enrich your mind in both academic and non-academic ways. for these reasons, i would encourage you to go to chicago!

THAT SAID... one of the reasons the decision to come to NYC was a no-brainer for me was because i got a nearly full ride to a top-tier school. schools that didn't give me as much money were crossed off my list much earlier. i'm half a year out of college now, and let me tell you... getting my paycheck each month and having it be MINE (and not the student loan company's) is amazing. debt is not fun for my friends who are working at entry-level jobs and having to squeeze out a loan payment every month. granted, if you go straight from college to med school, you can defer your loans and when you do have to pay them back you'll be making considerably more than my friends and i are now (yes, yes, even though residents are not moneybags by any means).

my guess is that because of how demanding the BS/MD program will be, and because this is just how life works, you won't do most of the stuff you imagine you could while in college. so... i won't say that you shouldn't consider that at all, but... don't consider it at all 😉

have you considered appealing chicago's financial aid decision? saying you got such an amazing offer from USF but you'd rather have the mind-opening liberal arts experience at you've always dreamed of at chicago might encourage them to give you a bit more help.

 

[orangeANDgreen]

egret, i am a freshmen in college now and I applied and got into the BS/MD program at USF and at least when I was talking to them, one of the big advantages was that students can apply to other med schools after they complete their degree and you aren't restricted as other programs are. The money they have was great, and i am sure you have bright futures as well so its basically all free. USF is an up and coming school, their med school is getting more prominent and it also is in a nice area, at least i would love being close to Clearwater beach.

With the other top notch schools, that is your call. USF can offer as much promise as it wants but in the end, going to Chicago may be worth a little extra stress in getting into a med school in a few years. Regardless, to get into that school and this program, you must do very well in school, and will probably continue to do so in college, so getting in won't be a big program, good luck.

BTW, I also got into a similar program at the University of Miami (it is restricted so I can't apply to other med schools) and I chose Miami because its always been my dream school, no disrespect to USF as I would have went there had I not gotten into the program at Miami

 

[glowworm]

well, if you went to USF, and then decided you didn't want to go to med school, could you transfer to U of chicago or wherever?

 

[egret]

First off, if you do a BS/MD 6 year degree, you can not double major. They fit alot of classes in to short of a time for you to be able to manage it.

The USF BS/MD program is 7 or 8 years (the person I talked to said students get a choice of length). Also, I'm allowed to bring in up to 45 credit hours already done, and because of all my IB and AP classes, I expect to bring in quite a few. I figure that if I take the 8 year option and come in with some of the "Freshman English" classes already done, I'll have some time to do a double major or study abroad. I'm a motivated student, but there's no way I'd even think about a double major if it weren't for those two circumstances, haha 🙂

well, if you went to USF, and then decided you didn't want to go to med school, could you transfer to U of chicago or wherever?

This is what I think I'll end up doing- going to USF and keep transfering as a back up plan. I'm just not sure how the transfer thing really works, since the only person I know who ever transfered is my dad, and he didn't exactly do it recently. Is it hard to get into a top school like Chicago as a transfer student?

The more I think about it, the more I lean toward USF. It just seems wrong to turn down such a fantastic deal. I would hate to stay here for the rest of my life, but I figure I'll have residency to get to another area of the country. USF isn't my dream school, but it does have a lot to offer in terms of the things I hope to pursue in college. Plus, I think not studying abroad during undergrad would be something I regret, and I could definitely do it if I go to USF.

Thank you guys so much for all the advice, you have definitely given me a lot to think about. I'm definitely going to keep thinking about it since I have some time before I need to make a final decision, and who knows? Another amazing offer may come up.

I really appreciate the outside perspectives, and if anyone else wants to weigh in too, that would be great!

 

[45408]

Take the money and run. Go to USF. Seems like your best option, definitely.

 

[daalbhat]

just be careful with this usf choice...i believe there is a MCAT req...... but i'd definately hit that up esp if u are guaranteed a spot and $$$. but then again... what's more important to you? for a more long term approach.... usf will definately get you whatever residency you want...
http://health.usf.edu/nocms/publicaffairs/now/matchlist2008.pdf

however, if u are looking to do ortho at the NUMBER 1 place in the nation...might take the prestigous undergrad --> hopefully prestigious med school --> prestigous residency route......

not to say USF wont get you to a place (esp with Step 1, AOA and research) but ive noticed the top programs all usually inbreed.
Best wishes!

 

[45408]

however, if u are looking to do ortho at the NUMBER 1 place in the nation...might take the prestigous undergrad --> hopefully prestigious med school --> prestigous residency route......

A high schooler is probably going to change their mind on specialty about 10 times, so it wouldn't be the best idea to make your decisions based on that now. Besides, a top residency is going to be obtained by top board scores, research, and knowing the right people.

 

[DrReo]

Take the money and run. Go to USF. Seems like your best option, definitely.

👍

No one can really gives a hoot about your undergrad education when you're in medical school. No one really cares what medical school you went to in your residency.

Cheap education? You're crazy to turn that down.

 

[BahamaBreeze]

Be very aware that in the USF program you can be removed if you do not meet their benchmark each year. It is important to find out how many people actually make it through to the medical school from this program. Personally I don't think its much of a guarantee. If you get a 3.7 and a 30 MCAT you can get in yourself from USF without the program. I suggest you ask more questions. Did you apply to any other BS/MD programs??

 

[egret]

A high schooler is probably going to change their mind on specialty about 10 times, so it wouldn't be the best idea to make your decisions based on that now. Besides, a top residency is going to be obtained by top board scores, research, and knowing the right people.

Definitely true. I have a few specialties in mind, but I know I'll change my mind quite a few times before the end of med school. That's why I want to be sure I'm making a wise decision now to leave myself as many options as possible later.

Be very aware that in the USF program you can be removed if you do not meet their benchmark each year. It is important to find out how many people actually make it through to the medical school from this program. Personally I don't think its much of a guarantee. If you get a 3.7 and a 30 MCAT you can get in yourself from USF without the program. I suggest you ask more questions. Did you apply to any other BS/MD programs??

I kind of applied to another BS/MD program. Florida State apparently has a "Medical Scholars" program which seems to basically be the same thing. I didn't know about it when I applied to FSU, but I got an invitation for that in the mail a few weeks ago. So, FSU might be an option, as it's at least a few hours away. I haven't gotten an official scholarship offer from them yet, but my counselor told me what they've offered to students like me in the past and it's comparable to the USF offer. I've looked for some more BS/MD programs lately, but I haven't found any that are still accepting applications.

I think I might end up going to USF, following the BS/MD track, and banking the scholarship money like I planned. If I decide I'm happy with staying at USF for med school, I'll be set. But since the program isn't restrictive, I might apply to a bunch of med schools when the time comes. I'd still have a good chunk of it paid for, and while I'd have to pay more out of pocket, I think it might be worth it to get the experience of living in another area of the country. I don't mind staying in Tampa for the next 3 to 4 years, but committing to staying for the next 7 or 8 makes me a bit afraid I'll never leave.

It's just a lot to think about, but all the responses here have really helped! I appreciate all the advice you guys have given me.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

I would definitely take the USF offer. USF is not a piddly backwater college, but a major research university. I went to my state university for similar reasons and ended up being blown away by the quality of the education-- it truly is what you make of it. Having a guaranteed spot in a good medical school (again, not an enormous name, but you have some excellent clinical strengths and your research is up and coming) makes those college years even more explorational, challenging and broadening.

Trust me-- I've been on both sides of that particular coin (state U then big names) and I would still make the same decisions. If anything I found that professors were more genuinely delighted by a strong, motivated student at State U and gave more freely of their time, were more interested in independent projects, letting me take courses I supposedly wasn't eligible for, etc. There is more flexibility since the egos tend to be smaller and there is less emphasis on tradition.

 

[TexanGirl]

UChicago is NOT the place for pre-meds. It's great if you're interested in another career, but if you are *100% sure* about the pre-med path, don't even think twice about not attending UChicago, where you'll almost surely have your GPA tank. The locals joke: "If it were easy, it'd be your mom." That should tell clue you on to something.

 

[EyEnStein 07]

Though U of Chicago is a great school, if your in the BS/MD program, and especially if they dont require you to take the MCAT (im not sure about USF, the BS/MD program near me doesnt require students to take MCAT), and medicine is what you want to do, then why not!!

Prestigious schools may only matter if you have to apply to Med school the traditional way, if you have that big of a jump, i dont see why its necessary.