Drop out of a BS/MD program?

[DoctorS_]

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[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Does your program have a particular mcat requirement for admission? Overall I'd personally be reluctant to drop a relatively cheap BS/MD program unless you were extremely unhappy, not to mention that program at your school sounds nice. But, if you do transfer out, you will probably get a very nice scholarship from UPITT. So it's likely that this will be a situation where you need to decide where you'll be happiest at, and it seems like UPITT is where that might be.

 

[DoctorS_]

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[Ismet]

As a current senior at Pitt, I'd say all of your points about the school are valid. However, some more points...

-Sometimes the size of the school is overwhelming. I am in one of the most popular majors (Neuroscience) and my class sizes are huge (almost 200 people). If you're used to a small school, I'm not sure how you'll feel about that.
-Transfer students are actually not eligible for scholarships, if that affects your decision at all. You can apply for financial aid, but you won't be processed until the summer (http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/receiveaid.aspx)
-Transfer students also cannot get housing (back to that whole large school thing...we don't even have enough room for our freshman class)

Probably the best thing is the tie to UPMC. We have 2 hospitals on campus (Presby and Montefiore), 1 just off campus (Magee-Womens), and another a short bus ride away (Shadyside). The student pre-health organizations (at least the one I'm in) work really hard to get you exposed to medicine and the medical school as well! We're also a very research-oriented school, and you can choose to do research at Pitt or at UPMC.

It seems like you just want more options. Many people would kill to have guaranteed admission to a medical school, but I can understand how frustrating it must be to be locked into certain classes and be already tied to a specific medical school. I think Pitt will have the options you're looking for!

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about the school. Hail to Pitt!

 

[Barcu]

My program requires at least a 31P on MCAT, 3.5 overall GPA, and 3.5 science GPA without being able to withdraw from any class. Personally, I believe that the cheap undergrad is offset by the cost of Drexel.

I don't consider myself extremely unhappy. I have asked many people about my situation: some have said that I should value the guarantee into med school more than getting the "real" college experience, while others believe that I should make the most out of college, since I'll be spending my life after that in medicine. By staying at home and attending the BS/MD program, I am able to continue experiences that I enjoy (EMS, volunteering, etc), put much less of a financial burden on my family (at least for undergrad), and have the security of knowing that I have a spot in med school. However, I think that by going away, I would be able to grow more as a person, have experiences that I might not get by living at home, and have the opportunity to study whatever I choose.

Since you have trouble deciding, I would go the traditional college route. It's nice to have that freedom to explore different interests (and possibly change your mind). Med school is a long, hard road. You don't have to rush to it because after it starts, it isn't stopping.

Yes, applications suck. But if you have a solid gpa/MCAT and good ECs (easier said than done of course), then you shouldn't worry too much about it. Usually people who get into these combined programs won't have too much trouble getting into med school the traditional way.

I was also struck by your military comment. Were you interested in HPSP (I"m on the scholarship)? That would significantly reduce your financial burden. Definitely DO NOT do it for the money. It sounds like you are actually interested in serving which is good. Don't think about it too much yet, but definitely do your research when the time comes.

Good luck with the decision. It's tough to turn down a guaranteed acceptance. But as I said already, you may miss out on a lot if you do.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

My program requires at least a 31P on MCAT, 3.5 overall GPA, and 3.5 science GPA without being able to withdraw from any class. Personally, I believe that the cheap undergrad is offset by the cost of Drexel.

I don't consider myself extremely unhappy. I have asked many people about my situation: some have said that I should value the guarantee into med school more than getting the "real" college experience, while others believe that I should make the most out of college, since I'll be spending my life after that in medicine. By staying at home and attending the BS/MD program, I am able to continue experiences that I enjoy (EMS, volunteering, etc), put much less of a financial burden on my family (at least for undergrad), and have the security of knowing that I have a spot in med school. However, I think that by going away, I would be able to grow more as a person, have experiences that I might not get by living at home, and have the opportunity to study whatever I choose.

Given that, I would say transfer to UPitt. Your program is guaranteed admission in name only and you probably could get other medical schools that you might be more interested in with that gpa/mcat combination.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I wouldn't give up a guaranteed spot if it were me. Not worth it.

 

[DoctorS_]

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[KTD]

Can you move out at your current school and live in the dorms or an apartment? It might sound silly since its so close to home, but I think living alone (or at least not with your parents) is an important part of the maturation process. You might enjoy your current school more if you were more involved with campus life (ie, not living at home). Just a suggestion--sounds like you are in a tight spot--good luck!

 

[Silverfalcon]

Pitt isn't that great as you think it is. Yeah, UPMC is great, but you also have to take into account how you are "not" unique if you work at UPMC - tons of undergraduates do summer internship or full-year project there.

Stay at where you are at, go to Drexel, and apply to Pitt for residency. Problem solved.

 

[kautionwirez]

As a current senior at Pitt, I'd say all of your points about the school are valid. However, some more points...

-Sometimes the size of the school is overwhelming. I am in one of the most popular majors (Neuroscience) and my class sizes are huge (almost 200 people). If you're used to a small school, I'm not sure how you'll feel about that.
-Transfer students are actually not eligible for scholarships, if that affects your decision at all. You can apply for financial aid, but you won't be processed until the summer (http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/receiveaid.aspx)
-Transfer students also cannot get housing (back to that whole large school thing...we don't even have enough room for our freshman class)

Probably the best thing is the tie to UPMC. We have 2 hospitals on campus (Presby and Montefiore), 1 just off campus (Magee-Womens), and another a short bus ride away (Shadyside). The student pre-health organizations (at least the one I'm in) work really hard to get you exposed to medicine and the medical school as well! We're also a very research-oriented school, and you can choose to do research at Pitt or at UPMC.

It seems like you just want more options. Many people would kill to have guaranteed admission to a medical school, but I can understand how frustrating it must be to be locked into certain classes and be already tied to a specific medical school. I think Pitt will have the options you're looking for!

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about the school. Hail to Pitt!

My class sizes were 300+. It's even more ridiculous at UCSD with 400+ class sizes now due to budget cuts. Some classes have 2-3 lecture rooms with 2 of them being a live video record of the lecturer.

My program requires at least a 31P on MCAT, 3.5 overall GPA, and 3.5 science GPA without being able to withdraw from any class. Personally, I believe that the cheap undergrad is offset by the cost of Drexel.

I don't consider myself extremely unhappy. I have asked many people about my situation: some have said that I should value the guarantee into med school more than getting the "real" college experience, while others believe that I should make the most out of college, since I'll be spending my life after that in medicine. By staying at home and attending the BS/MD program, I am able to continue experiences that I enjoy (EMS, volunteering, etc), put much less of a financial burden on my family (at least for undergrad), and have the security of knowing that I have a spot in med school. However, I think that by going away, I would be able to grow more as a person, have experiences that I might not get by living at home, and have the opportunity to study whatever I choose.

I would stick with your program because you will not have to deal with the agony and suffering applicants have to endure during the application process. Wait until you see your MCAT score and GPA end of your junior year then decide if you want to go to a different medical school.

I wouldn't give up a guaranteed spot if it were me. Not worth it.

I concur. Mostly.

 

[ilikeargyle]

There are some other things to think about that have not been mentioned, and I'm unsure if you've looked into them. Transferring to a state university, even to Pitt, is not going to be without its problems. At least in your first quarter/semester, you will be of the last to register. Do you know if all your credits will transfer over? What are the different requirements for graduation and for your prospective major? Do they allow non-majors to take upper-division courses in certain courses, or do they prioritize and limit it to majors only? Will you end up having to stay an extra year to finish your degree, thereby adding to the costs? Is that okay with you? Do they have a peer system set up for transfer students to transition onto the campus? Have you had classes with 200+ students, and are you okay with professors and instructors not being as accessible or interested in undergraduates? Obviously, I don't mean to say that every professor at a large state university is like this, but you get my point. Are you willing to deal with having to go through much more ropes and bureaucracy (in my experience) at a large university versus a smaller school? I don't want to completely disregard the opportunities already mentioned of going to Pitt, but these are issues you'll also be dealing with while you transfer.

IMHO, the "college experience" is not necessary for you to mature as a person and enjoy your undergraduate years. It obviously has its benefits, which is why I don't want to really say that it's "overrated" because I miss it after having had to transfer (a different situation/semi-opposite, PM if you want to know) but I would rather save $$, have a guarantee to medical school, and find other ways to be happy than to transfer. I sympathize though, because it is a tough spot, and ultimately it's your decision. Good luck!

 

[deleted329605]

I think you'll look back and wish you had stayed in your BS/MD program. It's an almost 100% sure thing that you'll get in to drexel and be able to pursue medicine. Don't give that up for the something as ridiculous as the "real college experience." Buy a beer pong table and smoke some weed. There you have the real college experience. Also, what is so special about Pitt? It's a gigantic school and from my personal experience with gigantic schools getting EC opportunities can be frustrating with so many people competing for only a limited number of opportunities. Also, I'm sure Pitt is a great school with good classes, but if you actually were that dead set on transferring out of your program why not go for a school like an ivy or another school that would open doors for you?

I think you'd be insane to throw away a guaranteed position at ANY US medical school in any circumstance. I mean literally, insane. You'd be throwing an MD degree away to become one of the masses at a massive state school and then try and get the MD degree again. That is plain stupid and you would just be making it harder on yourself. Right now you don't have to worry about competition, letters of rec, building a resume and everything else that a premed has to focus on everyday. You don't know how good you have it, so please for me, don't transfer.

 

[PMPMD]

OP, how far are you into this program (Freshman, Soph, etc.)?

 

[One Hip Guy]

Don't throw away a guaranteed spot into medical school for a couple years of booze and wild times. If you really want the college experience, why not move on campus? Sure, it's a waste of money seeing as how you could just continue to live at home but it essentially offers the best of both worlds.

Edit: But seriously, all of the pros of dropping out are cancelled out by the fact that you have a sure-fire pass into med school. Transferring is just throwing money out to have a happy college life; if you're going to spend the money anyway why not just live on your current campus so you can still be guaranteed for med schooL?

 

[Jawlzin]

Don't throw away a guaranteed spot into medical school for a couple years of booze and wild times. If you really want the college experience, why not move on campus? Sure, it's a waste of money seeing as how you could just continue to live at home but it essentially offers the best of both worlds.

This.

Take the money you saved (by switching to Geico) and buy your own place.

 

[wololololololo]

Keep the spot. Applying is a huge pain and it probably isn't going to get easier as time goes on.

 

[blizzah]

Op, just read the no interviews yet thread to see that med school acceptances aren't just a walk in the park.

Move onto campus at your current school and experience college that way.

 

[DoctorS_]

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[SisterDisco08]

I am a freshman.


To all those who say that I should move onto campus, I don't consider this an option. My school is a 5-10 minute drive from my home, and if I were to stay, I would continue to do other activities that I would require a car for (since I do not have my own car, I would have to be home and use one of my parents')

To those who ask why Pitt, I plan to enroll in a program they have, called the Emergency Medicine program. Essentially, the first two years are given to take prerequisite courses (for the program, many of which overlap with premed courses). The third year is a paramedic program year, and the fourth year is advanced EMS courses, research courses, and/or electives. Many people in the program are able to work as paramedics during their fourth year. I ask that anyone who reads this not comment on my decision to enter this program. I am very passionate about emergency medical services/public service. I understand that med school adcoms might not look too highly of it, and I am willing to accept that if I decide to go this route. I also understand that I might get caught up in EMS and therefore push my goal of medical school even further, and I am also willing to accept it. I think that I wouldn't mind pushing off med school to experience life and get professional experience.


Again, thanks to all who responded.

To me, the above sounds like you just might not be ready to commit to medicine via the BS/MD program...which definitely isn't a bad thing.

For what it's worth: If you KNOW you want to do medicine, do the BS/MD. You may be confident in your abilities to get in now (which is good), but what many people don't realize is that every other applicant is likely just as good, if not better than you are; there are better applicants than you not getting into med school every year. Applying is a really grounding experience. You can always defer for a year to explore your passions. I also know people who got EMS certification in addition to their classes as an extracurricular activity. If you aren't sure (which it sounds like is the case), you should do the other program. However, you did say that you expected to have more academic freedom in the other program...but it doesn't sound like you will, based on what you posted.

 

[Gigantron]

Since you're in a BS/MD program, I would just stick with it. You could get the best GPA you could, the best MCAT you could, and apply out if you think you were competitive enough by the time the application process rolls around (you can always apply to Pitt Med if you do). If not, then I would stick with the guaranteed acceptance that I already have.

 

[deleted329605]

Look dood, I see where you are coming from as a freshman. You see all your friends off at college having wild times. But srsly dood that just doesn't last and a lot of the time that stuff actually screws you over. Give in 2-3 years, when you are a junior or senior, you'll be loving in the position you are in. Don't throw it away.

 

[blizzah]

Look dood, I see where you are coming from as a freshman. You see all your friends off at college having wild times. But srsly dood that just doesn't last and a lot of the time that stuff actually screws you over. Give in 2-3 years, when you are a junior or senior, you'll be loving in the position you are in. Don't throw it away.

I agree with this dood

 

[kautionwirez]

look dood, i see where you are coming from as a freshman. You see all your friends off at college having wild times. But srsly dood that just doesn't last and a lot of the time that stuff actually screws you over. give in 2-3 years, when you are a junior or senior, you'll be loving in the position you are in. don't throw it away.

qft.

 

[Quicksilver005]

To be honest...and I mean this with all due respect...I think it has to do more with you and living at home than with your university. Your college experience is what you make of it. If you are the kind of guy who likes to have fun and party it up, then you are going to be that guy no matter where you go. If you are introverted, then you are going to be introverted no matter where you go. College, especially undergraduate, is what you make of it. I would think twice before you walk away from what you have...but that's just me.

Just my .02.

 

[Pisiform]

I wouldn't give up a guaranteed spot if it were me. Not worth it.

Agreed.

Imagine applying all over again ...waiting like **** for secondaries ... then checking your mailbox for snail mail ... cost of attending interviews ... thats a lot of **** to deal with.

 

[Knocked Up]

I am currently in an 8 year BS/MD program (undergrad at a small state college in NJ, med school at Drexel University in Philly). I am trying to decide whether it is worth it to stay in this program. If I decide to leave, I am hoping to attend the University of Pittsburgh next fall.

Here is my current pro/con list for both:

BS/MD

• Much cheaper (at least 10-15k cheaper per year)
• Med school guarantee
• Small school/program*–*very easy to find a professor to do research with
• Integrated preceptorship program –*where BS/MD students go to a hospital to observe and learn from physicians (for credit), essentially become a small part in the medical team
• Able to continue extracurriculars that I began in high school (EMS, hospital volunteering, etc)
• Possibly get involved in the creation/leadership of an on-campus EMS organization
• Kaplan MCAT review class provided for free to students

University of Pittsburgh

• The "real" college experience (I currently live at home)
• Bigger school –*more choices of courses/majors if I change my mind
• Ability to change majors – in my current program, I pretty much have my schedule set until graduation; I can't pick what classes I want to take
• Many opportunities for volunteering/shadowing/working at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), which is a nationally ranking medical center
• Honors college opportunities – taking specialized courses, having specialized advisors, etc
• Study abroad opportunities
• More extracurricular opportunities – bigger school = more clubs
• Can apply to any medical school, but have to go through application process

I am pretty much certain that my end goal in life is to become a physician, however I am not afraid of not getting into med school if I transfer out of the program and apply the traditional way (because I have a desire to join the military and serve).

I apologize for such a long post, so I thank anyone who takes the time to read it. I appreciate any suggestion/comments.

Let me put it this way. Your BS/MD program will be MUCH MUCH more likely to be considerate if your MCAT is a little below a 31 (or whatever their requirements are) than Pitt Med will be. You never know what will happen in the future. Stick with your program.

 

[flodhi1]

OP I think the 31P on the MCAT is a pretty demanding score for a guaranteed admissions. At my school I think the score was 27 with a 3.5 either way with a 31P and 3.5 you could get into a medical school. God forbid you score a 30 P then what.....you weren't able to go into your dream school and the guaranteed admission is gone.

 

[Mithril]

lol'd at "real college experience". Dude, if you want to do an undergrad and then apply for med school you don't really want the "real" college experience otherwise you'll be gambling with your grades. Moving out entails doing a bunch of stuff on your own which takes time away from doing extracurriculars and studying. Trust me, living with parents is a luxury that a lot of people take for granted. How I wish I didn't have to cook and clean and buy groceries and pay rent while going to school.