Help for 8-year medical program.

[steve_nash]

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I'm wondering if I would even have a shot at them and if anyone could suggest ones for me that would better suit my needs (and I'd have an actual shot at).
UW GPA: ~3.9 SAT: ~2350 (took it only once).
SAT II: 5 800's and 780 on Biology M.
AP's: 5's on all 10 so far.
Other college-level coursework: dual enrollment multivariable calculus, and linear algebra with differential equations at a University.
Awards: USAMO qualifier, Rennselear Medal (60k merit scholarship to RPI), NMSF (~230 PSAT), chemical society award.

Medical EC's:
~ 100hrs volunteering (gastroenterology, front office).
~ 2 weeks shadowing cardiologist, seeing 2 brain surgeries in India
~ 4 weeks shadowing cardiologist in U.S (only 1hr/week though ...).

Regular EC's:
Science Olympiad state medals, varsity sport, plays for youth orchestra, math team captain (+ more awards), FBLA VP, state level awards, founded club. Math tutoring.
selective paid summer research internship in physics (... ).

As you can see my resume tends to lean heavily to math/hard core stem. Should I even bother applying to any 8-year medical programs? I really like the stonybrook engineering scholars program as I'm in-state and with merit can probably get it to close to 0 cost for the first 4 years + the engineering aspect might help me get in, and if I have the luxury I'd rather study engineering for UG before med school instead of pure biology or something, and the program requirements seem really easy (3.2 gpa, 8 on each section of the MCAT).
Do I even have a shot at this program? Do I have a shot any 8-year medical programs (want a MD, not a DO)? Any suggestions?
I'd prefer it to be a cheaper program (or at a school where I can probably get a lot of merit aid), in the N.E (although not too picky on this. CA would be okay too, especially L.A area), and if I can study engineering in UG that would be a bonus too.

I also have another question, do you think taking the MCAT would help my chances of getting in? If i just self-study the organic chemistry part, I'm confident I can probably score 30-35. (the reading and the physics part shouldn't be hard at all, the organic chemistry part is hard) I've also heard that even H.S scores stick around 4 years later when you apply to med school. Is this true? If so, what's the score on the MCAT past which scoring higher is irrelevant (like 2250 or 2300 for the SAT), so that I could decide whether or not to take the MCAT in high school. Obviously, I wouldn't want to take it and get a 28 or something (if it's true that this score sticks).

Most importantly I need to know if I have a shot at 8-year med programs (MD not DO), specifically the stonybrook engineering medical scholars one, and suggestions on which ones to pursue. I think 6 or 7 year ones wouldn't necessarily be ruled out, but 8-year ones would probably suit me better.

Do I also have a shot at the REMS program (University of Rochester) or the case western one? What about the RPI one?
Are there ones that focus a lot more on stats/achievements instead of medical EC's?

 

[NotMichael]

Your numbers and ecs look fantastic. Try applying and see what happens! You will probably have a great shot, from what I've read about Bs/md programs. Good luck!

EDIT: don't overload. Keep your grades high. Don't take the MCAT in high school, you don't need it. Apply to the program you want. If you are a senior, at this point, things are almost set in stone.

 

[lovetolie13]

RPI focuses heavily on scientific research. From what I've heard it's very difficult to get in without research.

 

[jqueb29]

Do not ever take the MCAT in high school. I know you think you will do well, but it is extremely unlikely.

 

[Stagg737]

As you can see my resume tends to lean heavily to math/hard core stem. Should I even bother applying to any 8-year medical programs? I really like the stonybrook engineering scholars program as I'm in-state and with merit can probably get it to close to 0 cost for the first 4 years + the engineering aspect might help me get in, and if I have the luxury I'd rather study engineering for UG before med school instead of pure biology or something, and the program requirements seem really easy (3.2 gpa, 8 on each section of the MCAT).
Do I even have a shot at this program? Do I have a shot any 8-year medical programs (want a MD, not a DO)? Any suggestions?
I'd prefer it to be a cheaper program (or at a school where I can probably get a lot of merit aid), in the N.E (although not too picky on this. CA would be okay too, especially L.A area), and if I can study engineering in UG that would be a bonus too.

I also have another question, do you think taking the MCAT would help my chances of getting in? If i just self-study the organic chemistry part, I'm confident I can probably score 30-35. (the reading and the physics part shouldn't be hard at all, the organic chemistry part is hard) I've also heard that even H.S scores stick around 4 years later when you apply to med school. Is this true? If so, what's the score on the MCAT past which scoring higher is irrelevant (like 2250 or 2300 for the SAT), so that I could decide whether or not to take the MCAT in high school. Obviously, I wouldn't want to take it and get a 28 or something (if it's true that this score sticks).

I'd say you have a very good chance at getting into many of those programs. You seem to have a lot of commitment and the stats to back it up, so go for it. 2 pieces of advice from someone who has been there:

1. You probably won't be able to major in engineering. Many programs that are 2+4 or 3+4 or even 8 year programs have pretty strict guidelines on what you can major in and what classes you'll have to take. I don't know many 8 year programs, but they may be more lenient. You could potentially double major (do the program and do engineering on the side), but double majoring with engineering is not something I'd necessarily recommend. Is it doable? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. Just make sure whatever you do you can keep all your grades up. Med schools won't care about a second major if it hurts your GPA.

2. About the MCAT...wut? The fact that you think you could score a 30-35 right not tells me you have either been studying for it and have already taken multiple practice tests where you scored in that range or you have no clue what the MCAT encompasses. I know more than one person that got perfect or near perfect ACT/SATs and couldn't hit a 30 MCAT as an upperclassman in college. Is it impossible to get a 30 as a high-schooler? No, but without taking at least 2 years worth of college-level science classes (no, AP is NOT a college level science class) I'd say you'd be pretty lucky to hit a 25, which is not very good by anyone's standards. It will be unlike any test you've taken so far, so for your sake I would strongly advise against taking it unless you absolutely have to in order to be accepted to a program you love, which shouldn't be the case.

Summary: Go for whatever programs you want, but do not take the MCAT. You seem to have very strong stats and ECs as it is and I think you've got a great shot at a lot of those programs with your current app. Don't risk putting a blemish on it by taking a test you're probably not ready for yet.