Help Me Decide: 4 yr MD vs 5 yr MS/MD

[readysetmed]

Hi everyone,

Here asking for honest advice.

I've currently been accepted into a MS/MD program on a conditional acceptance (essentially, in completing the one yr masters, applicants must obtain a certain MCAT/GPA cutoff (510/3.4), and pass the interview with the medical college). I have already achieved the MCAT score (513) and am confident I can maintain the GPA. Not one student has been lost to the interview in the history of the program; in fact, I was explicitly told that it was a formality to ensure applicants aren't axe-murderers or something along the like 🙂. This program is a dream- not only is the education phenomenal, but it is in the city I have dreamed of living in since I was 16 and plan to eventually settle in. Additionally, I would not be forced into long distance with my SO (which, not to jinx things, I have 'the feeling' about).

I applied to this program after my cycle resulted in 5 interviews, and 2 WL. However, yesterday I was accepted off the WL at a 4 yr MD program- this was an outcome I never considered, as their admissions committee had all but guaranteed the WL would not move. This program is across the country, and in a location that I cannot see myself attending residency/settling in (red midwest). I understand I likely should not have applied if this were the case, but I truly was willing to attend if I had no other options, because in 4 years, I would become an MD!

But now, with a conditional acceptance in hand vs a real acceptance, I'm torn. The conditional has everything I could ask for- comparable tuition, curriculum structure, diversity (I am a minority candidate), relationships, some regional family for support- but its still not a real acceptance, making me petrified of turning down what I have to attend this program. Just because no interviewee has been lost before, doesn't mean they can't still be, right? I plan to meeting with the program director and inquire directly if turning down an acceptance would be a red flag preventing matriculation, even if the interview is just a formality. I also had planned to apply out just in case something went wrong, but I would now be applying as someone who turned. down. an MD. acceptance.

Ultimately, I have a very good understanding of myself and my personality, and LDR aside, I know I would not be happy at the institution to which I was accepted, despite it still being a decent program. I would have been willing to suck it up if I had nothing else, but I (almost?) do, and the possibility, however rare for medical applicants, of being in my ideal situation is challenging.

Sorry for the long read, but I just wanted to lay out all the facts of the situation 🙂.

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[lenmedde73]

I was in a similar situation. Ultimately, if you find you will thrive in the 5 year agreement, go for it. I turned down an acceptance at a local DO school to pursue a conditional acceptance at an MD in a big city. I got screwed, so I want you to realize and consider how bad it is when you get screwed. I did not meet my GPA, so I had to break my conditional acceptance... I couldn't even apply that cycle because the graduate program screwed up my GPA. So, now, 3 years later, I am reapplying and did not even get an interview at the school I turned down. So, it's a ROUGH road if you do not make that GPA. So, do it but only if you really really know you will make the GPA.

 

[wysdoc]

Missing the GPA goal is a real risk that would put you reapplying
You’re completely anonymous so it would help to name the schools

 

[readysetmed]

Missing the GPA goal is a real risk that would put you reapplying
You’re completely anonymous so it would help to name the schools

Oklahoma University COM (acceptance) and NYMC aIBS. An additional component is that I want to match into a competitive surgical subspecialty; I already know how hard it is to attain this, and if I know I would not live in the midwest in my 20s and early 30s, would the NYMC program would allow me to overcome regional bias in residency applications, at least partially making my long-term journey easier?

 

[The OTC]

Take nymc if that fits better with your partner and you’s life plan

To play devil’s advocate, where you go to residency is dependent on you, not the region of your med school. The schools are fairly comparable with OU having plenty of west and east coast matches. Most people stay near Oklahoma because they are from there. You’ll just have to put in a little time and research to network on the east coast.

NYMC is milking you of your time and money with a lot of asterisks attached to your acceptance. How much is the master’s year + COL? You aren’t safe until the conditional acceptance turns into an offer.

Disclaimer: no skin in the game for either program