Howard 6 Year B.S./M.D. And Questions

[neil7818]

Hi, I posted this on the pre-allopathic board as well, but considering how I'm in search of advice, doesnt hurt to get as much exposure as possible.

Hi everyone, I'm looking for anyone that's currently in, or will be attending the 6 Year B.S./M.D. Program at Howard University. I will be attending this fall and am desperatly in search of some students to speak with in regards to advice, and a few more questions about the school and experiences.

Now, I've also got some questions regarding general applications for residency programs. Because the program I'm in is currenty a B.S/M.D I do not need to reapply for medical school, thus, my questions are more in reference to residency placements.

How stringently do residency programs view undergraduate course selections? I've currently completed Calculus, and was wondering whether or not it was necessary for me to take additional math in college? I'm not particularly fond of math, but if it "looks good", I'm definitly willing to put in the extra effort.

I understand that there is a significant negative connotation regarding Howard, but I'd like to say that I selected Howards B.S/M.D program over Drexel's 7-year programs, MCV's 8 year program, as well as Johns Hopkins Undergraduate premed program. I can honestly say, that the fact that Howard extremly affordable, and the program remains short (6 years) with several strong residency placements would at least account for a certain amount of strong students attending the school (due to the program). However, I still havent been there and am unaware of the caliber of the "medical" students. But, I can definitly vouch for the quality of the B.S/M.D students.

Thats pretty much it for me, I'd appreciate any advice and am always open for any constructive discussion. Thanks

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[LuckyMD2b]

Residency directors don't care about what classes you took in undergrad. They only care about board scores, research, letters of rec, and the grades you get in your clinical rotations. So for the first few years of this BS/MD program all you have to worry about is making satisfactory progress. You want to make sure you do well from the start so that you have a solid foundation in sciences. You don't want a poor preparation in the beginning to come back to bite you in the a$$ when you're a physician.

I actually know a couple people in the Howard BS/MD program. There is a form of application to the med school that they still had to do. First 2 years is basically doing an accelerated Bio Major at Howard. You have to keep your GPA above a certain level, take the MCATs and interview at the med school after your 2nd year at HU. You are almost certain to get in, but there are some people in the BS/MD program who do not continue on to medical school, so don't slack off.

Don't feel like you have to explain your choice of school to anyone. I know some students in that program and they are very intellegent and capable (and had many choices of school, too). Make sure that you give your best effort in whatever you chose to do, and people will recognize your ability, competency and hardwork.

Oh yeah, you should probably take at least another semester of calculus in college (unless it doesn't fit into that 1st 2-year portion of the program of course). If you aren't comfortable with what you learned the first time around. Take the same level class that you took in high school, again at college. I took BC calculus in high school (got an A in the class but didn't do that well on the AP test), then when I went to college I took Calc II, which covered a lot of the same materical. It was a good idea -- got an A- in the class, and I feel like I learned a lot more the 2nd time around. I also took multivariable Calculus. I wish I had taken more, because the research I'm doing this summer is very math intensive, and I feel like I have to do a lot of on the job learning, which decreases my productivity.

Good luck.

 

[neil7818]

Thanks Lucky for the advice, you've helped me select my courses!

My first semester courses will be as such : Bio 1, Chem 1, Organic Chemistry, Calculus 1, French 2, Freshman Seminar and a required PE course.

I decieded on taking Bio, and Chem, and French 2, because I have allready taken those courses and am fairly proficient at each (I recieved a 5 on the ap bio, chem, and a 4 on french lit). My mentality is that I might as well take a set of classes that I should do well, and have a relativly light first semester. That way I keep my GPA solid, and reinforce the basics.

Am I making a mistake by doing that? I'm also taking organic chem to make sure that my first semester is still challenging - but, lax enough so that should there be any problems "adjustment-wise", I wont be overwhelmed.

Would my "plan" course wise end up hurting me later in my medical career?

And one question Lucky, you had mentioned that you know a few people attending the program, do you there there is any I could get in contact with them? Once again, thanks everyone for your advice and help.

-Neil

 

[LuckyMD2b]

NO problem, glad I could help.

Only thing is just make sure that you are fulfilling all your requirements to progress through the program on time. Be sure to go over your schedule with a professor or a counselor at your school so that you don't overlook requirements that you may need.

Also you're taking Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry at the same time??? Is that what students in your program usually do? That's a lot of chemistry to take at one time, see what your program advisor says about that.

I met two people from that program who will be going into their 3rd year, I only know their first names, sorry.

 

[Castro Viejo]

Please refrain from posting threads with the same topic in multiple forums. Thanks.