BS/MD Programs

[chemphd]

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Drew University in NJ has a combined 7 year program with UMDNJ. You also get in state tuition at UMDNJ if you change your license to NJ (if you're oos, which you aren't) before matriculating at UMDNJ.

 

[Carissa]

From seeing the BS/MDs rotate in the hospitals I have been at, and from what my attendings and residents have told me...although wicked smart, most cannot conduct a normal conversation with patients (or anyone for the matter) due to their immaturity and lack of social exposure. Not all BS/MD students are like this, but I will be audacious and say at least 75% of the ones (from NEOUCOM) I and my attendings/residents have encountered have been that way (Excluding direct admits, which they take approx 20/year). The ones that are reading this thinking "That's absurd", I'm just putting it out there so you are aware. The program in general sounds like a good idea, and it should be, but I think it really takes away from the maturation that "regular" college provides. The attendings call them BS/MDs.... but they refer to the "BS" as something other than its intended meaning. Use your imagination....

It's true, the more I read about these programs, the more I realize the notion of completing college in 2 years is absolutely ridiculous. What would you get out of that? Even 3 year programs are pushing it. So while I'll still consider excelerated programs, I think I'll primarily look at four year ones.

Oh, try at all costs to avoid going to the carribean. You'll have a harder time getting a good residency in the states down the line.

I would rather not completely ignore any options, though. Does anyone else have anything else to say on colleges outside the US?

Option 1) Work your *** off in HS to get into a bs/md program and then work your *** off to stay in it

Option 2) smoke lots of pot and skip even more school in HS and then work your *** off in college to get a MD

Option 3) Work hard is HS to get into a good college and maybe even a BS/MD program and then a good medical school farther down the line, provided that's still what I want to do.

Wait you are a freshman in highschool? 😕

You've got a long way to before even considering what colleges you are competitive for let alone whether you will be able to get into a BS/MD program. In any case you shouldn't be worrying about this at all at... 14 or 15 years of age? Please just do your best in highschool and enjoy yourself. And please take off your 8th grade SAT score from your MDApps.

Yes, I am a freshman. And I wouldn't say I'm worrying about this, but rather thinking about it. And I think I'll keep my SAT score there because I happen to be very proud of it.

😱 ...yeah, you need to relax and focus on high school right now. at this point, just get good grades and get involved in some clubs. down the road, try to take AP classes and do well on the SAT. if you're really gung-ho then volunteer at a nursing home or a hospital. then, when you're finally a junior, look into colleges and the combined bachelor's/MD programs.

but if you really really want info on those programs now, buy a copy of the MSAR.

I think I'll check out the MSAR, since I have to go to the bookstore soon anyone. Actually, since I'm thinking about it now, does anyone have good recommendations for books for the SAT Biology Subject Test? And don't worry- I do get good grades and participate in several clubs. And since I'm a freshman I'm not currently in any AP classes, but I plan on taking several throughout HS. Also, I already volunteer at a hospital and I'm volunteering as an EMT this summer.

What normal, sane, high school freshman thinks about college, much less med school....

It's not as if college is on the top of my mind. In fact, its one of the last things on my mind!

Anyone else notice the ops animated avatar? Scary...

Carissa, one piece of sincere advice: don't let your ideations of a medical career be the entire basis for your sense of self.

OK, I shouldn't have written "My Life" on the avator. It would have been much more appropriate if I wrote "A Small Part of My Life." You see, if this was the "Student Skier Forum" all of those slides would be pictures of my skies, the mountain I ski at, etc. So you said I can't base myself of ideations of a medical career, but then again, you can't base me off of my avatar. 😉

Drew University in NJ has a combined 7 year program with UMDNJ. You also get in state tuition at UMDNJ if you change your license to NJ (if you're oos, which you aren't) before matriculating at UMDNJ.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

 

[RapplixGmed]

Wow you're a Freshman? Thats awesome! I don't remember if I knew that med school existed my freshman year in HS. Yay for phrase by phrase responses:

although wicked smart, most cannot conduct a normal conversation with patients (or anyone for the matter) due to their immaturity and lack of social exposure

However much I want to object to this statement, it does ring of truth. You need to find a life outside of school to get these experiences and that is sometimes hard to do. I know that I have some problems in this area as well and I'm doing my best to get better.

It is very common for BS/MD students to get lazy/complacent and that may be why they don't seem to do as well in med school and beyond. Attendings that I have met have not had any problems with me though. The guy I did my cardiology internship with even told me that there will be some attendings that will ASK me to join their field and that I should resist so I can do something that I really want to do. He was a really nice british guy.

Patients will also sometimes not take you seriously since you are young and that is a BIG problem. At some residencies, they will not let you become chief resident unless you can completely take control of the clinical situation. I'm still a bit weak on leadership but I'm getting there slowly but surely. This is a phrase that I will always remember: An old lady with a possible femur microfracture once told me: "This man can't be a doctor, he looks too young!" As young folks, it seems like we always have something to prove. Always dress and act maturely and professionally. Be courteous and do your best. Respect must be earned.

It's true, the more I read about these programs, the more I realize the notion of completing college in 2 years is absolutely ridiculous. What would you get out of that? Even 3 year programs are pushing it. So while I'll still consider excelerated programs, I think I'll primarily look at four year ones.

I think penn state is the only 2 year undergrad. Actually, you'd be surprised how much you can change in only two years. I'm definitely a completely different person compared to what I was when I came to college. However, you're completely right in that if you're not sure that you want a shortened undergrad, definitely apply to the 4 year programs instead. I'm at a 4 year program but I have the wheels set in motion to graduate in 3. Its amazing to have the choice though if I felt like I wanted or needed the extra time.

I would rather not completely ignore any options, though. Does anyone else have anything else to say on colleges outside the US?

Don't do it unless you are forced to. Its really difficult to get into the US system once are out of it. In fact, its easier to get into the specialty of your choice with a DO than with a foreign MD all other things equal.

Option 3) Work hard is HS to get into a good college and maybe even a BS/MD program and then a good medical school farther down the line, provided that's still what I want to do.

Good for you! Its been said that getting into any med school is harder than getting into an ivy for undergrad. Always remember what you are aiming for.

Yes, I am a freshman. And I wouldn't say I'm worrying about this, but rather thinking about it. And I think I'll keep my SAT score there because I happen to be very proud of it.

😍 You are the only person I have ever met who also took the SATs in middle school. Did you take them for fun or for something else? I took mine to apply for the center for talented youth programs during the summer. You pwned both my middle school scores though and pretty much matched what I got when took them for real.

Also, I already volunteer at a hospital and I'm volunteering as an EMT this summer.

How much do they allow 15 year olds to do up in NJ? In my squad, we don't allow anybody younger than 16 on to an ambulance.


Best of luck to you in the future! It seems like you will be going places.

 

[Carissa]

😍 You are the only person I have ever met who also took the SATs in middle school. Did you take them for fun or for something else? I took mine to apply for the center for talented youth programs during the summer. You pwned both my middle school scores though and pretty much matched what I got when took them for real.

Well, basically I took them for fun... I figured that it might be fun to see what the test was like, and actually a few people in my school from the G&T program (which was basically nonexistent) took them too.

How much do they allow 15 year olds to do up in NJ? In my squad, we don't allow anybody younger than 16 on to an ambulance.

I'm just beginning to start my training now. Well, barely even "training" just a few Red Cross courses I need to take. I won't be able to really start, though, until I turn 16 in the beginning of August.

And thanks so much for taking the time to respond to all of my questions. I appreciate it so much!

 

[BigRedPremed]

Wow you're a Freshman? Thats awesome! I don't remember if I knew that med school existed my freshman year in HS. Yay for phrase by phrase responses:

However much I want to object to this statement, it does ring of truth. You need to find a life outside of school to get these experiences and that is sometimes hard to do. I know that I have some problems in this area as well and I'm doing my best to get better.

It is very common for BS/MD students to get lazy/complacent and that may be why they don't seem to do as well in med school and beyond. Attendings that I have met have not had any problems with me though. The guy I did my cardiology internship with even told me that there will be some attendings that will ASK me to join their field and that I should resist so I can do something that I really want to do. He was a really nice british guy.

Patients will also sometimes not take you seriously since you are young and that is a BIG problem. At some residencies, they will not let you become chief resident unless you can completely take control of the clinical situation. I'm still a bit weak on leadership but I'm getting there slowly but surely. This is a phrase that I will always remember: An old lady with a possible femur microfracture once told me: "This man can't be a doctor, he looks too young!" As young folks, it seems like we always have something to prove. Always dress and act maturely and professionally. Be courteous and do your best. Respect must be earned.

I think penn state is the only 2 year undergrad. Actually, you'd be surprised how much you can change in only two years. I'm definitely a completely different person compared to what I was when I came to college. However, you're completely right in that if you're not sure that you want a shortened undergrad, definitely apply to the 4 year programs instead. I'm at a 4 year program but I have the wheels set in motion to graduate in 3. Its amazing to have the choice though if I felt like I wanted or needed the extra time.

Don't do it unless you are forced to. Its really difficult to get into the US system once are out of it. In fact, its easier to get into the specialty of your choice with a DO than with a foreign MD all other things equal.

Good for you! Its been said that getting into any med school is harder than getting into an ivy for undergrad. Always remember what you are aiming for.

😍 You are the only person I have ever met who also took the SATs in middle school. Did you take them for fun or for something else? I took mine to apply for the center for talented youth programs during the summer. You pwned both my middle school scores though and pretty much matched what I got when took them for real.

How much do they allow 15 year olds to do up in NJ? In my squad, we don't allow anybody younger than 16 on to an ambulance.


Best of luck to you in the future! It seems like you will be going places.

I also took the SAT's in middle school (did slightly better than the OP) for JHU's talent search thing. I had no idea what Johns Hopkins was. I knew Harvard and the like but I figured JHU was some random no-name university trying to recruit smart middle graders.

 

[135892]

Well, basically I took them for fun... I figured that it might be fun to see what the test was like, and actually a few people in my school from the G&T program (which was basically nonexistent) took them too.


I'm just beginning to start my training now. Well, barely even "training" just a few Red Cross courses I need to take. I won't be able to really start, though, until I turn 16 in the beginning of August.

And thanks so much for taking the time to respond to all of my questions. I appreciate it so much!

Wow, your middle school SAT score killed my middle school score. Maybe you are a genius...

Anyways, Good Luck 🙂

 

[RapplixGmed]

I also took the SAT's in middle school (did slightly better than the OP) for JHU's talent search thing. I had no idea what Johns Hopkins was. I knew Harvard and the like but I figured JHU was some random no-name university trying to recruit smart middle graders.

ROFL me neither. Stupid harvard wannabes! I ended up doing the program. JHU's undergrad campus is really nice, the surrounding area... not so much.