Early Decision?

[anotherPlacebo]

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Hello guys, I am new to this forum. I just wanted to say hello to all of you and I think it's a great thing to have so many people supporting each other.

I am applying to medical school this summer, and I was wondering about Early Decision for Baylor.

I know that if you apply for EDP, then you are not supposed to mail your application to any other school. This seemed like a big risk to take since Texas schools are starting a rolling application process for 2007.

I am in need of some advice on EDP, basically. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

 

[rup47]

Hello guys, I am new to this forum. I just wanted to say hello to all of you and I think it's a great thing to have so many people supporting each other.

I am applying to medical school this summer, and I was wondering about Early Decision for Baylor.

I know that if you apply for EDP, then you are not supposed to mail your application to any other school. This seemed like a big risk to take since Texas schools are starting a rolling application process for 2007.

I am in need of some advice on EDP, basically. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

I would think its only worth it if you are really set on attending baylor. I dont think applying EDP increases your chances of admission much. You are better off applying early (not through the early decision program). This way you are not only applying to one school until October 1 ( I think that is the date that they have to give you the decision by)

Check AMCAS for details on applying EDP


After going though this application process for a second time, my one piece of advice is to apply early as possible and apply to lots of schools

 

[sen]

Hello guys, I am new to this forum. I just wanted to say hello to all of you and I think it's a great thing to have so many people supporting each other.

I am applying to medical school this summer, and I was wondering about Early Decision for Baylor.

I know that if you apply for EDP, then you are not supposed to mail your application to any other school. This seemed like a big risk to take since Texas schools are starting a rolling application process for 2007.

I am in need of some advice on EDP, basically. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

If you are thinking about applying early decision because you think it will help your chances (as it is supposed to for some schools for undergrad), then you are wrong, because the general consensus is that it does not help your chances at all. Here are what I see as the Pros and Cons of ED:

Pro:

You potentially only have to fill out one application, go to one interview, and then save yourself a lot of stress during your year before med school if you are accepted. The whole process really consumes a ridiculous amount of money and energy...

Cons:

1) If you do not get accepted to the school you apply ED to, then you've just added a huge amount of extra stress (later interviews, relatively late applications, you'll probably want to apply to more schools than you did before b/c you'll be unsure if/where you'll get in etc) and you're probably putting your application at a disadvantage.

2) You won't be able to compare financial aid packages at different schools, and since financial aid can vary tremendously from school to school (some give merit scholarships etc), you may not end up w/nearly as good of a deal as you might have at another school.

3) You lose the ability to visit a number of schools and see what really is the best fit for you. A couple of the schools that were on the top of my list before I applied moved very quickly down towards the bottom of my list after my interview. This was true for me with Baylor: while its an excellent school with amazing hospitals and great opportunities, when I visitied I realized it just wasn't the best place for me.

 

[DarkFark]

Hello guys, I am new to this forum. I just wanted to say hello to all of you and I think it's a great thing to have so many people supporting each other.

I am applying to medical school this summer, and I was wondering about Early Decision for Baylor.

I know that if you apply for EDP, then you are not supposed to mail your application to any other school. This seemed like a big risk to take since Texas schools are starting a rolling application process for 2007.

I am in need of some advice on EDP, basically. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

You're right- it is a pretty big risk. That's why it is only rarely done in medical school admissions. Unlike the college version of EDP, it's not something you can use to increase your chances if you are a boderline applicant. It doesn't help your chances much(if at all), so the major benefit is really just that if you are someone who is a clear-cut qualified applicant, you can just get the app process over with sooner. You have to be very well qualified to get into a school like Baylor EDP.

The good news is that if you are considering applying to a school EDP, you can ask them and get a relatively honest assessment of your chances and if it is worth it to try. It's not like regular admissions where they will always want you to apply- they will only tell to try if you have a real shot, because they don't want to screw things up for you.

So basically, if you're a great applicant and your heart is absolutely set on Baylor, then talk with their admissions office to see if you have a serious shot at EDP. Otherwise just apply regular, and make sure they know they are your absolute first choice during the interview, and write them a letter afterwards too.

 

[dsherida]

I completely agree with applying as early as possible either way you go. I applied EDP this year and it was great to find out in Sept. that I was in! I would call the director of admissions at Baylor and talk with them about your strength as an applicant and if they would recommend you applying EDP if you are set on Baylor. They should be up front about it with you and let you know. They won't tell you that you will get in, but they will give you an idea if you are a strong applicant (ie. do well at the interview and you are in.) At least that was how it went down with me and it was a great experience. I too had to reapply and no matter what you do get you app. in ASAP. I think EDP does increase your chances because you are in a binding commitment to them once you submit EDP and that shows them how serious you are about going to Baylor. Shoot me a message if I can answer any questions, but your first step should be to contact Baylor admissions directly. Good Luck!

 

[anotherPlacebo]

dsherida, darkfark, sen, rup47: Thank you all for your help.

Right now I am 90% leaning towards applying for regular admissions, mainly because it's safer and will more likely increase my chances of getting into med school. The other 10% will get me to call Baylor's admissions office and talk to them about my prospects.

I think I will probably wait, though, before I call them. I haven't taken my MCATS yet (will be taking it this April 22), reason being I only recently decided to pursue medicine (which was a year ago). I came into college as an Electrical Engineering student (and still am), so I when I decided on pre-med I was a little behind in my pre-med requirements. I will finish them all this semester.

I have been volunteering at the hospital for over a year now and am now in a program called HCMP (Health Careers Mentorship Program) that I am shadowing adult and pediatric physicians in (and also epidemiologists in public health). I am a bit worried about my strength as an applicant since I don't have any research under my belt, but I plan on doing that this summer.

I know all of this is a little off topic, but I just wanted to let you'll know my situation for whatever reason.

Thanks again for all the help!

Jon