Should I do early MD program?

[windu34]

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I am a rising junior at my state's top university (top 10 public) and have been accepted to my schools COM (Top 50 state school in research and primary care) for a 7-year BS/MD program and I would like to get some opinions from an objective perspective . I am currently interested in radiology, surgery, and emergency medicine, but I intend to keep an open mind and these could certainly change. I am not sure if I want to pursue a career in academic medicine.
Pros
No MCAT required
Money saved in app cycle
3rd year (year before matriculating into COM) is relatively relaxed
True Pass/Fail for first two years
Departments in every specialty - opportunity for exposure
In-state tuition (COA is ~60,000 compared to ~90,000 I have seen for other COMs)
Student mental health taken seriously by admin from what I can tell (confirmed by current students)
Good facilities
Cons
Lack of prestige - I dont think it will hold me back based on the schools match lists (Several MGH, Hopkins, UCSF over the past 3 years and good match rates in ortho, derm, etc), but I understand the advantage of prestige.
No opportunity to apply to other schools and potentially receive better financial package

About me
Engineering major
cGPA/sGPA: 3.9X
Havent taken MCAT, but 1480 on SAT, 35 on ACT
Very strong leadership/extracurriculars: (Founder of one, multiple leadership positions in others, meaningful)
Meaningful clinical volunteering with pediatric patients in hospital (currently ~200 hrs)
Non clinicial: K-12 STEM outreach (>1000 hours), tour guide for incoming hs seniors (>300 hours)
Decent research: >1 year in same lab with multiple poster presentations and 1st author pub expected in Fall
LOR: PI, Orgo 1+2 prof, Chief of Gen Surg at local academic hospital, K-12 STEM Outreach org President (All strong)

My main concern is that I might sell myself short by choosing to attend this program rather than apply during the regular cycle. I am not overly consumed by prestige hunting, but I know it can open doors and help in the match (especially for small-department specialties like surgical subs). I do not have a desire to remain in my state for my career, but from what i understand, there is plenty of opportunity to relocate via match.

I appreciate any insight!

 

[KnightDoc]

I am a rising junior at my state's top university (top 10 public) and have been accepted to my schools COM (Top 50 state school in research and primary care) for a 7-year BS/MD program and I would like to get some opinions from an objective perspective . I am currently interested in radiology, surgery, and emergency medicine, but I intend to keep an open mind and these could certainly change. I am not sure if I want to pursue a career in academic medicine.
Pros
No MCAT required
Money saved in app cycle
3rd year (year before matriculating into COM) is relatively relaxed
True Pass/Fail for first two years
Departments in every specialty - opportunity for exposure
In-state tuition (COA is ~60,000 compared to ~90,000 I have seen for other COMs)
Student mental health taken seriously by admin from what I can tell (confirmed by current students)
Good facilities
Cons
Lack of prestige - I dont think it will hold me back based on the schools match lists (Several MGH, Hopkins, UCSF over the past 3 years and good match rates in ortho, derm, etc), but I understand the advantage of prestige.
No opportunity to apply to other schools and potentially receive better financial package

About me
Engineering major
cGPA/sGPA: 3.9X
Havent taken MCAT, but 1480 on SAT, 35 on ACT
Very strong leadership/extracurriculars: (Founder of one, multiple leadership positions in others, meaningful)
Meaningful clinical volunteering with pediatric patients in hospital (currently ~200 hrs)
Non clinicial: K-12 STEM outreach (>1000 hours), tour guide for incoming hs seniors (>300 hours)
Decent research: >1 year in same lab with multiple poster presentations and 1st author pub expected in Fall
LOR: PI, Orgo 1+2 prof, Chief of Gen Surg at local academic hospital, K-12 STEM Outreach org President (All strong)

My main concern is that I might sell myself short by choosing to attend this program rather than apply during the regular cycle. I am not overly consumed by prestige hunting, but I know it can open doors and help in the match (especially for small-department specialties like surgical subs). I do not have a desire to remain in my state for my career, but from what i understand, there is plenty of opportunity to relocate via match.

I appreciate any insight!

So, if you apply out you lose your guaranteed seat? If so, what has changed from when you applied to and entered the program? If you are allowed to apply out and keep your seat, it's a no-brainer to take the MCAT and see what happens. If not, when do you have to commit? In any event, there is really no intelligent advice anyone can give you without an MCAT score. I assume you would have an opportunity to take the MCAT without losing your seat, correct?

 

[LongLiveThanos]

Take the early acceptance. It'll save you the stress of the MCAT and application cycle.

 

[windu34]

So, if you apply out you lose your guaranteed seat? If so, what has changed from when you applied to and entered the program? If you are allowed to apply out and keep your seat, it's a no-brainer to take the MCAT and see what happens. If not, when do you have to commit? In any event, there is really no intelligent advice anyone can give you without an MCAT score. I assume you would have an opportunity to take the MCAT without losing your seat, correct?

Yes part of the agreement is that you cannot apply out. I have until tomorrow (they gave us a week and I've been trying to decide on my own). I could take the MCAT, but since I cant apply out, there wouldnt be a point.

 

[gyngyn]

BS/MD programs are a way to lock promising students into programs that may not suit them at all.

 

[Skeletorr]

Yes part of the agreement is that you cannot apply out. I have until tomorrow (they gave us a week and I've been trying to decide on my own). I could take the MCAT, but since I cant apply out, there wouldnt be a point.

That’s a tight deadline. I would’ve taken the MCAT, and based on the score, made a decision.

 

[windu34]

BS/MD programs are a way to lock promising students into programs that may not suit them at all.

I was certainly concerned about this as well, however I think the program would be a pretty decent fit (hard for me to say because its the only program I have interviewed at). My primary concern is selling myself short, but the question of how much importance should be placed on prestige arises and I am having a hard time answering that question.

 

[KnightDoc]

So, if you apply out you lose your guaranteed seat? If so, what has changed from when you applied to and entered the program? If you are allowed to apply out and keep your seat, it's a no-brainer to take the MCAT and see what happens. If not, when do you have to commit? In any event, there is really no intelligent advice anyone can give you without an MCAT score. I assume you would have an opportunity to take the MCAT without losing your seat, correct?

Upon further reflection and a little bit of investigative work, it appears that you are talking about UF, which is unique among BS/MD programs in that you don't apply until sophomore year, which means you have just been accepted (congratulations!!!!) and now have to make a binding commitment. (PLEASE -- correct me if my conclusion is incorrect!) It's crazy for you to be having second thoughts after going through the process and being one of the very lucky few to have survived. Unfortunately, you cannot make an educated decision because, while your background and acceptance into the program indicates you are likely to receive a very good MCAT score, it is not guaranteed, and you will be screwed if for some reason you don't do well.

So, it comes down to a choice only you can make, regardless of what anyone says on SDN. You either accept the deal you signed up for when you applied for the program (T50, no MCAT, relatively reasonable COA, no application cycle stress, etc.), or trade it away for what is behind curtain #1 (maybe lots of prestige, full COA scholarship, etc., or maybe a crappy MCAT, less than spectacular interviews, possible gap years to correct deficiencies, etc.). It strictly comes down to your risk tolerance and your confidence in yourself. Nothing comes without trade-offs -- this is why HMS and Hopkins don't have to offer programs like this! 🙂

Good luck, and congratulations, and the very fact that you are posting the question makes it sound like you half wish you didn't have this as an option!!!

 

[gyngyn]

I was certainly concerned about this as well, however I think the program would be a pretty decent fit (hard for me to say because its the only program I have interviewed at). My primary concern is selling myself short, but the question of how much importance should be placed on prestige arises and I am having a hard time answering that question.

It is hard for anyone to know without being able to see how they might go! That's what makes it a win for the program (probably) and a mystery for the student.

 

[freelancePsychic]

You have a 3.9 engineering gpa and got a 35 ACT. I think you’d demolish the MCAT. 1k volunteering and a first author pub make you competitive enough to get in now and you’ll have another year before you apply to build ECs. If I were you I would gamble on the MCAT. You seem like T20 material to me.

 

[Lucca]

i Agree with @gyngyn that BS/MD programs tend to be an easy win for the program at the general disadvantage of the applicant. Don’t be afraid of the MCAT, with your track record you will probably do fine. Your MD will likely be your terminal degree. Do you want to work hard to have the best possible options or simply fall into the lowest potential energy path? I betray my own bias in the wording of the question. Another might say: Risk the MCAT and app cycle or accept that a bird in hand is worth two in the Bush? Only you can answer which perspective resonates more closely with your attitude and ambitions.