RPI/AMC Accelerated BS/MD vs. Pitzer College/Western University 7-Year BS/DO?

[bobquinlin]

Hello. I was accepted to both RPI's Physician Scientist Program (Allopathic) and Pitzer College's Joint Osteopathic Medical Program.

At this point, I am inclined to enroll at RPI primarily because of the MD and its extraordinary research opportunities. However, RPI's program is very rigid (mandatory acceleration, no study abroad opportunities, Bio major, 3.5 cGPA and science GPA, etc.) and I would not like to immediately rule out Pitzer considering the program's flexibility (7 or 8 years, Liberal Arts degree, study abroad, 3.2 GPA req, etc.) Undergraduate experience also factors in.

Do the pros of RPI's Allopathic Physician Scientist Program significantly outweigh Pitzer's BS/DO, also considering the 2015 change?

Inputs?

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[Galatasaray]

Yes, why ok earth would you want to enroll in a bs/do? You can always apply to DO school and get in later.

 

[La Presse]

The one with the MD...go to that one.

 

[487806]

The one with the MD...go to that one.

This exactly. 👍

Although I mistook Pitzer for Pritzker... 😳

 

[hunterjumper14]

This exactly. 👍

Although I mistook Pitzer for Pritzker... 😳

Me too! Haha. Of definitely go with the MD program as well.

 

[bigdogrob4284]

Stick with the MD option.

 

[pachewisc]

Yes, why ok earth would you want to enroll in a bs/do? You can always apply to DO school and get in later.

Seriously. Saving one year is not worth being pigeonholed into a single, limiting program. Unless you severely doubt your ability to get into medical school down the road, go to the university/college you want to and apply to the medical schools you want to. Combined programs, I believe, are not worth it (except for maybe Brown's).

 

[darklabel]

Yes, why ok earth would you want to enroll in a bs/do? You can always apply to DO school and get in later.

While I am one who believes DO = MD, I do agree with this statement. BS/DO isn't worth saving a year. I am sure if you study hard enough, the school will be within your reach.

I would go with the BS/MD option. 3.5 isn't very rigid at all and I'm sure you can live without study abroad. Also, is the MCAT necessary? If not, then this isn't even a competition (which it really never was to begin with).

 

[Daodejing]

How accelerated is the RPI program?

Does RPI let you apply to other med schools during your junior year? In other words, is the AMC admission nonbinding? If so, then you're in a golden position.

Anyways, this does not even warrant a question. Go the MD route.

Also, I disagree with the other poster about BA/MD programs. There can be some serious benefits reaped. Peace of mind, saving money/time, fewer risks are all positives. There are other equally competitive programs as Brown PLME. Northwestern and Rice/Baylor come to mind.