Should I apply out of my BS/MD program?

[fishergirl16]

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I'm currently in a 7-year BS/MD program at a school in Florida. I get in-state tuition.

I just got my MCAT scores back today. I got a 517 with a 3.96 GPA. Should I stay in my program or apply out to other med schools? I did a SURF fellowship one summer, vice president of a club that teaches music to dementia patients, was a tutor in organic chemistry for a year, 1st place in an international medical competition (HOSA)...

I am in a restricted program, so if I apply out, I will lose my guaranteed acceptance. The average accepted applicant for the medical school I'm going to as part of the program has a 508 MCAT, so I'm pretty sure I could get in even if I applied regularly. It's also close enough to my house, so I can commute (although living with my parents is technically a downside as well). So basically, how important is the name of the medical school you go to? Should I apply out and take the extra work/stress of waiting for interviews, flying out, etc? Not to mention, the extra financial burden of potentially going out-of-state? Is that worth it for a more prestigious medical school (assuming I'd even be able to get in)? What schools would my scores/ECs even be good for?

Just wanted to know what you guys thought, as I'm having a hard time deciding. I have a bunch of family/friends telling me to go either way.

 

[md-2020]

If your BS/MD is that UF honors thing, then don't apply out as that is a fine program. Anywhere else and I'd suggest applying elsewhere, as you are likely to get into a better school. This is if I were you.

However if your ONLY goal is to become a doctor and you care not one bit about prestige/perception then stay no matter what school you're currently at. SDN will probably tell you that this is the logical (safest) route to go. They may be right, but I'm usually one to take a few calculated risks.

 

[kneeshoe]

The prestige of your medical school does not have a significant impact on the doctor you will become (all medical schools follow roughly the same curriculum since they are all accredited by the same agency) nor will it limit your residency chances (unless you want to go to Harvard or Johns Hopkins for residency, etc.). Why bother going through all the hassle of applying to 20-30 schools when the program you are in is already a well-respected choice?

 

[cactusman]

I'd personally apply out, unless you're getting a scholarship in addition to the cheaper IS tuition and low CoL. I'd also probably be really unhappy if I didn't move away from home at some point by the start of med school (which it sounds like is your situation), so that's a personal preference thing that you might not share.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I'm assuming the school is FIU, as OP said the school's mean MCAT is a 508. UF's median is a 513 I believe. Also, with UF's program you don't have to take the MCAT.

No one can really answer this question except for you. Your guaranteed acceptance means you'll definitely become an MD, so unless you are gunning for academic medicine or a residency at Harvard, it doesn't matter. If those things matter to you, apply out. If you will be miserable living at home and don't think you would get your own place if you stay in this program, apply out. You shouldn't have an issue getting accepted somewhere, if that is your question, although no one can really tell you for certain where.

You mention being pretty sure you could get into the medical school you have acceptance to if you applied as a regular applicant; this may be true stats wise, but I highly doubt they would accept you knowing you dropped your guaranteed acceptance! They'll know you don't actually want to attend, and will yield-protect.

If you opt out, though, would you have to do another year of undergrad, or will you complete your BS in 3 years anyways?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

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[fishergirl16]

I'm assuming the school is FIU, as OP said the school's mean MCAT is a 508. UF's median is a 513 I believe. Also, with UF's program you don't have to take the MCAT.

No one can really answer this question except for you. Your guaranteed acceptance means you'll definitely become an MD, so unless you are gunning for academic medicine or a residency at Harvard, it doesn't matter. If those things matter to you, apply out. If you will be miserable living at home and don't think you would get your own place if you stay in this program, apply out. You shouldn't have an issue getting accepted somewhere, if that is your question, although no one can really tell you for certain where.

You mention being pretty sure you could get into the medical school you have acceptance to if you applied as a regular applicant; this may be true stats wise, but I highly doubt they would accept you knowing you dropped your guaranteed acceptance! They'll know you don't actually want to attend, and will yield-protect.

If you opt out, though, would you have to do another year of undergrad, or will you complete your BS in 3 years anyways?

It's not FIU. It's FAU. The Charles E. Schmidt COM.

I really don't care about getting a great residency/academic medicine -- as long as the residency is out of Florida (I really want to get out of here eventually, lol). I wouldn't necessarily be miserable living at home as I'd have a car and could come and go mostly as I please, although I'd definitely prefer to live alone. My parents say they'll leave me alone, but you know how that is. You are right about the yield-protect thing! I hadn't thought about that. That's another factor I'll take into account.

I'm getting my degree in 3 years regardless. So I'd still be applying this cycle either way. Part of me really doesn't want to do the extra work and apply to a bunch of schools, yet another part of me doesn't want to feel like I'm 'settling.' It doesn't help either that my parents are pulling for me to stay with them, and my older brother really wants me to apply out and get into somewhere better. It's really tearing me apart. 🙁

 

[fldoctorgirl]

It's not FIU. It's FAU. The Charles E. Schmidt COM.

I really don't care about getting a great residency/academic medicine -- as long as the residency is out of Florida (I really want to get out of here eventually, lol). I wouldn't necessarily be miserable living at home as I'd have a car and could come and go mostly as I please, although I'd definitely prefer to live alone. My parents say they'll leave me alone, but you know how that is. You are right about the yield-protect thing! I hadn't thought about that. That's another factor I'll take into account.

I'm getting my degree in 3 years regardless. So I'd still be applying this cycle either way. Part of me really doesn't want to do the extra work and apply to a bunch of schools, yet another part of me doesn't want to feel like I'm 'settling.' It doesn't help either that my parents are pulling for me to stay with them, and my older brother really wants me to apply out and get into somewhere better. It's really tearing me apart. 🙁

Well, you're wrong about FAU! Their median according to MSAR is a 512. FAU is an awesome school-- just look at their match list from this year! I would stick with them if I was you, but you have to decide this for yourself. Either way, you're going to be a doctor, so congrats!

 

[fishergirl16]

Well, you're wrong about FAU! Their median according to MSAR is a 512. FAU is an awesome school-- just look at their match list from this year! I would stick with them if I was you, but you have to decide this for yourself. Either way, you're going to be a doctor, so congrats!

Oh haha, oops! My minimum MCAT score to move on to the COM was a 508, so I assumed that was the median. I guess we had lower requirements than everyone else. You really think I should stick with them, even with my scores? I think it's a good idea, too, but I don't want to feel later on that I 'could have done better' or 'could have moved out.'

I want to live in NY really badly, and I just checked their match list like you suggested, and there were quite a few NY schools and hospitals! Thanks for directing me to that.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Oh haha, oops! My minimum MCAT score to move on to the COM was a 508, so I assumed that was the median. I guess we had lower requirements than everyone else. You really think I should stick with them, even with my scores? I think it's a good idea, too, but I don't want to feel later on that I 'could have done better' or 'could have moved out.'

I want to live in NY really badly, and I just checked their match list like you suggested, and there were quite a few NY schools and hospitals! Thanks for directing me to that.

FAU is an up-and-coming school that has been really impressive in the last few years. Going to FAU will not hold you back from anything: they had several top-tier matches this cycle, including someone who matched to Derm in Harvard. They have gathered some national attention in the med school world, and they will give you everything you need to succeed, assuming you fulfill your half of the bargain and put in the hard work.

The application cycle is expensive. OOS/private school tuition is expensive. Living expenses are...expensive. It wouldn't be my first choice to live at home either, but at the end of the day you're going to be paying around $30k/year for med school. If living at home becomes unbearable, you can always get an apartment with some roommates in Boca.

If you really feel you will be miserable staying in Florida for 4 years, or you feel that you'll spend the rest of your life wondering "what if", then apply out. You won't have a problem getting accepted somewhere great. However, like I said, FAU isn't going to hold you back, so if you think you can stick it out for 4 years, I think it's an awesome opportunity.