Should I transfer from BS/MD?

[Djax99]

Hey so I am an incoming freshman at Drexel. I am a part of the 8 year BS/MD program at Drexel meaning that when I complete my undergrad in 4 years I will then have automatic enrollment into DUCOM.

Selecting Drexel for undergrad was a tough choice for me but ultimately I did it as I believed the safety net was worth it. Part of the reason why I was apprehensive about joining the program was the somewhat high requirements (3.6 s/cGPA and an MCAT of 128/127/128/128 (511)). My original plan was to use the program as a safety net and if my grades were high enough apply out to either better med schools or cheaper medical schools.

With the recent news of Hahnemann shutting down I’m further worried about my decision and am considering transferring out to my state school which will be ~18k/year cheaper.

How do you guys think the hospital shutting down will affect me and do you think I should consider transferring?

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[Seihai]

Hey so I am an incoming freshman at Drexel. I am a part of the 8 year BS/MD program at Drexel meaning that when I complete my undergrad in 4 years I will then have automatic enrollment into DUCOM.

Selecting Drexel for undergrad was a tough choice for me but ultimately I did it as I believed the safety net was worth it. Part of the reason why I was apprehensive about joining the program was the somewhat high requirements (3.6 s/cGPA and an MCAT of 128/127/128/128 (511)). My original plan was to use the program as a safety net and if my grades were high enough apply out to either better med schools or cheaper medical schools.

With the recent news of Hahnemann shutting down I’m further worried about my decision and am considering transferring out to my state school which will be ~18k/year cheaper.

How do you guys think the hospital shutting down will affect me and do you think I should consider transferring?

Drexel is still a fairly good school, and having guaranteed enrollment into any medical school assuming decent stats is, in my opinion, worth the $72k.

The Hahnemann shutdown is unfortunate, but I have no doubts that Drexel will rebound, especially within four years. Now is a bit of a murky time for them due to having fewer options, but they will find a good replacement in due time.

I'd stick with your initial plan if you were comfortable with it - apply out if your stats are better or if you need to attend a cheaper school while using the program as a "safety net" as you attend (though I don't agree with the wording, I can't find a better way to reword it quickly).

 

[Osteosaur]

I don't know your financial situation.

That level of security seems pretty good but I say this as someone who struggled for admittance. If you need to reapply in a year that is also money lost. All you need to worry about is the MCAT after all (mind you 511 is pretty high!) You can always check how Drexel is doing a year from now and move on then.

 

[differentiating]

Are you allowed to apply out without losing your seat at Drexel SOM? If so, I’d strongly suggest sticking it out - you’ll appreciate having that guarantee when you apply. In my experience, you’ll save a bunch on the app cycle, since you can apply only to schools you’d like more.

If not, I’d see where you stand after sophomore year and reevaluate then before choosing whether to continue. 18k/year difference is worth it with a guaranteed med school seat on the line, imo.

 

[Djax99]

Are you allowed to apply out without losing your seat at Drexel SOM? If so, I’d strongly suggest sticking it out - you’ll appreciate having that guarantee when you apply. In my experience, you’ll save a bunch on the app cycle, since you can apply only to schools you’d like more.

If not, I’d see where you stand after sophomore year and reevaluate then before choosing whether to continue. 18k/year difference is worth it with a guaranteed med school seat on the line, imo.

Yea so if I apply out I lose my guaranteed spot which was another downside that I considered when taking enrollment at the Drexel program. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that if I was a borderline student I would most likely just take enrollment at DUCOM but if I was a competitive applicant I would end up applying out for better/cheaper medical schools.

 

[differentiating]

Yea so if I apply out I lose my guaranteed spot which was another downside that I considered when taking enrollment at the Drexel program. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that if I was a borderline student I would most likely just take enrollment at DUCOM but if I was a competitive applicant I would end up applying out for better/cheaper medical schools.

I’d keep in mind that, if you apply out, you’ll have to apply broadly even if you have good stats. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t- just that a better/cheaper school is in no way guaranteed.

 

[Djax99]

Oh yea of course. I was only planning on applying out if I was decently confident and had high stats and would pursue a traditional cycle of applying broadly?

@differentiating Are there any stats in particular that you feel you would be comfortable with in applying out of the program? Like what set of GPA/MCAT or LizzyM score would you feel applying out of the program with?

 

[Osminog]

Not much a safety net, considering meeting their requirements (3.6 and balanced 511) would make you competitive for most low-tier MD schools (such as Drexel) whether you're in the program or not. Unless you have a compelling reason to attend Drexel in particular over other low-tier MD schools (e.g., geographic concerns), transferring out to your cheaper state school wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea.

 

[Djax99]

I’d keep in mind that, if you apply out, you’ll have to apply broadly even if you have good stats. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t- just that a better/cheaper school is in no way guaranteed.

@differentiating was just wondering what stats in particular you would feel comfortable applying out with? Like what GPA/MCAT or LizzyM score?

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

@differentiating was just wondering what stats in particular you would feel comfortable applying out with? Like what GPA/MCAT or LizzyM score?

Depends on your state of residency and ethnicity.

 

[Djax99]

Depends on your state of residency and ethnicity.

@srk2021 I’m from MA and I’m an ORM (Asian). Also, I’ve noticed that you have had a lot of experience with BS/MD program and was wondering if you had any advice on my situation.

An additional reason for why I am considering transferring is that the scheduling of my undergrad is extremely rigid and I would only be able to take the MCAT when I would also simultaneously be taking classes at the same time.

 

[differentiating]

@differentiating was just wondering what stats in particular you would feel comfortable applying out with? Like what GPA/MCAT or LizzyM score?

It’s more your comfort, the amount of risk you’re willing to take vs how much you wouldn’t want to attend there. I’d personally be aiming for at least 3.75, 35 MCAT (whatever the equivalent is now), and strong ECs, but there are no guarantees with giving up the spot even with a very strong overall app.

 

[deleted987519]

@differentiating was just wondering what stats in particular you would feel comfortable applying out with? Like what GPA/MCAT or LizzyM score?

I am risk-averse and would keep the conditional acceptance as an option.
IF I were you, I would attend Drexel for undergrad and I think I would need like 3.8+ 518+ to convince me I could definitely get in somewhere else and rescind my acceptance to DUCOM.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

@srk2021 I’m from MA and I’m an ORM (Asian). Also, I’ve noticed that you have had a lot of experience with BS/MD program and was wondering if you had any advice on my situation.

An additional reason for why I am considering transferring is that the scheduling of my undergrad is extremely rigid and I would only be able to take the MCAT when I would also simultaneously be taking classes at the same time.
why can't you take MCAT after winter break or after summer? 8 year program schedule shouldn't impact MCAT.

 

[Djax99]

@srk2021 Did you mean to respond to this?

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

@srk2021 Did you mean to respond to this?

Yes, I asked "why can't you take MCAT after winter break or after summer? 8 year program schedule shouldn't impact MCAT. "

 

[Djax99]

Yes, I asked "why can't you take MCAT after winter break or after summer? 8 year program schedule shouldn't impact MCAT. "

@srk2021 I should be able to take it after my winter break actually but Drexel is on a quarter schedule and as a result I will be in class for my sophomore summer (I have my junior year spring off as a result).

With that said do you have advice on what stats I should aim for before I apply out or any advice on if I should transfer out as the program is very restrictive, provides a slight benefit in terms of statistics (3.6/511 are close to matriculation stats), costs about 72k more than my state school overall

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

@srk2021 I should be able to take it after my winter break actually but Drexel is on a quarter schedule and as a result I will be in class for my sophomore summer (I have my junior year spring off as a result).

With that said do you have advice on what stats I should aim for before I apply out or any advice on if I should transfer out as the program is very restrictive, provides a slight benefit in terms of statistics (3.6/511 are close to matriculation stats), costs about 72k more than my state school overall

I have to know more about your educational background and financial background to give an honest advice. If you want you can PM. I advised lot of students on BSMD threads on other site 🙂

 

[futureDocDD]

I'd say if your stats are 3.75+ MCAT 515+, then apply out.

3.6/511 is a bit high for combined or EA programs, plus paying Drexel private tuition. Quarter system sucks because it is fast paced.

 

[Djax99]

I have to know more about your educational background and financial background to give an honest advice. If you want you can PM. I advised lot of students on BSMD threads on other site 🙂

@srk2021 I would love to PM you however I cannot seem to be able to start a conversation with you? Do you know any way which we could talk?

 

[Djax99]

@gonnif @Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM

Hey so I hate to tag you guys but I was wondering your opinions on:
1. What stats I should aim for before I feel comfortable with at applying out of my BS/MD program at Drexel in hopes of getting into my state’s medical schools or a cheaper/better medical school?
2. Additionally, would you recommend I transfer out of my program due to all the issues that I talked about (rigid scheduling means I’ll take MCAT either during class at the same time or during the spring term/winter break in junior year, extra 54k price over 3 years of attending Drexel vs my state school, negligible benefit as a 3.6/511 is nearly what you need (GPA is kinda low but still high compared to other BS/MD programs), Hahnemann hospital which is affiliated with Drexel med is shutting down, and the possibility of restricting my ability to go to a better/cheaper med school)

 

[LizzyM]

If you are going to apply out you have to have not only the grades and scores but you also have to have hustled your butt with regard to community service, clinical exposure and research/scholarly activity. If you have your guaranteed seat at Drexel you can spend some of your free time studying for the MCAT rather than running around helping the poor all weekend and pipetting in lab all night.

Only 43% of applicants to medical school get admitted. Do you feel lucky? Do you realize that a gap year often becomes necessary when applying in the usual way and will delay your achievement of an attending salary by a year. Even when factoring in the cost of borrowing for school (if you are borrowing) and the change in the value of a dollar over time, you will make up what you are paying for Drexel in your first year as an attending.

Drexel will have to find a replacement for Hahnemann if it is going to keep its class size the same. The patients will have to find an alternative too so it is all likely to work out. A lot is riding on this for Drexel so you can be sure that the faculty and administration will be working hard to make the necessary arrangements for students' clinical experiences.

 

[differentiating]

Thankfully, as an incoming freshman, you have 2-3 years to decide whether to apply out. I would not recommend leaving the B/MD prior to that, unless you’re not sure about medicine in general.

 

[KnightDoc]

Thankfully, as an incoming freshman, you have 2-3 years to decide whether to apply out. I would not recommend leaving the B/MD prior to that, unless you’re not sure about medicine in general.

This -- it really is premature to be seeking SDN wisdom on tossing away an MD guarantee before you have taken a single class and received a single grade. If you end up with a 3.5 or below GPA, you don't have a problem because you don't have your guaranteed seat. If you get a 510 or below on the MCAT, you don't have a problem because you don't have your guaranteed seat.

You really have no dilemma until Spring of your junior year, after you get at least a 3.6 and 511. Why worry about this now, after your decision to attend Drexel undergrad is set in stone and before you have any idea whatsoever what your medical school application in 3 years might look like??? You're not actually thinking of transferring out of Drexel undergrad before even starting because of this, are you? If this is such an issue, why did you ignore it when making your decision to enroll in the first place?

Try to relax and enjoy undergrad -- you only get to do it once! 🙂

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

It comes down to OP's risk tolerance and also being comfortable with Drexel undergrad. BSMD admissions are less than 5% of medical enrollment and tends to be at private schools and expensive.

 

[KnightDoc]

It comes down to OP's risk tolerance and also being comfortable with Drexel undergrad. BSMD admissions are less than 5% of medical enrollment and tends to be at private schools and expensive.

Yes, this is solid advice BEFORE one applies, not after one has enrolled! 🙂 What is the point of such a thread after one has made the decision to enroll, but before one has received any grades, taken the MCAT, participated in ECs, etc.?

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Yes, this is solid advice BEFORE one applies, not after one has enrolled! 🙂

OP still has time to chnage their mind since classes haven't started

 

[differentiating]

It comes down to OP's risk tolerance and also being comfortable with Drexel undergrad. BSMD admissions are less than 5% of medical enrollment and tends to be at private schools and expensive.

I mean, sure - it just seems odd that they’re changing their mind now, of all times. Why commit to the program initially if you’re not even willing to give the undergrad a try? At the very least, a semester’s worth of experience would give more information to make the decision off of.

I hated my undergrad experience, but I can’t say in all honesty that I wouldn’t do it again, because it got me where I wanted to be. My B/MD program was different, but for me, it was worth it.

Basically, OP should feel out Drexel before making such a big decision, in my opinion.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

I mean, sure - it just seems odd that they’re changing their mind now, of all times. Why commit to the program initially if you’re not even willing to give the undergrad a try? At the very least, a semester’s worth of experience would give more information to make the decision off of.

I hated my undergrad experience, but I can’t say in all honesty that I wouldn’t do it again, because it got me where I wanted to be. My B/MD program was different, but for me, it was worth it.

Basically, OP should feel out Drexel before making such a big decision, in my opinion.

Not an easy decision for a HS grad. There are so many ORM stories about high stats kids not getting admissions and any BSMD at any cost should br taken pressure.

 

[differentiating]

Not an easy decision for a HS grad. There are so many ORM stories about high stats kids not getting admissions and any BSMD at any cost should br taken pressure.

I’ve made that decision myself? So it’s not that I don’t understand that a lot of factors go into it - it’s that literally none of them have changed at this point in time.

 

[Djax99]

@differentiating @KnightDoc @srk2021 Hey so all of you guys made some really great points that I will definitely take into consideration.

As to why I ended up picking Drexel, I picked it for the BS/MD program. When I was making the decision (and right now) I had no context as to my academic level and how difficult it would be to get a high GPA. Furthermore, I have heard multiple stories of high stat applicants not getting in anywhere, Thus I made the decision to go to pick the BS/MD program, as I felt the safety of the program was worth it.

I made the rationale that I would go to Drexel and depending on how it went (GPA/MCAT/ECs) that I could later decide if I want to apply out. Additionally, one major reason why I chose Drexel is that I could go for my first year to Drexel and depending on how well I did in classes and in finding ECs, I could always transfer out of Drexel and back to my state school but say I originally picked my state school, I could never transfer back into this program if I was a borderline student.

Thus I committed to Drexel with the intent of making my actual decision on where to pursue college after my freshman year (Either continue at Drexel or transfer out and become a traditional premed). This would then allow me to make the best decision on my future.

 

[differentiating]

That’s the plan I’m advocating for - try 1-2 semesters at Drexel before deciding you’d rather change undergrads. Like you said, once you transfer out there’s no going back.

 

[KnightDoc]

@differentiating @KnightDoc @srk2021 Hey so all of you guys made some really great points that I will definitely take into consideration.

As to why I ended up picking Drexel, I picked it for the BS/MD program. When I was making the decision (and right now) I had no context as to my academic level and how difficult it would be to get a high GPA. Furthermore, I have heard multiple stories of high stat applicants not getting in anywhere, Thus I made the decision to go to pick the BS/MD program, as I felt the safety of the program was worth it.

I made the rationale that I would go to Drexel and depending on how it went (GPA/MCAT/ECs) that I could later decide if I want to apply out. Additionally, one major reason why I chose Drexel is that I could go for my first year to Drexel and depending on how well I did in classes and in finding ECs, I could always transfer out of Drexel and back to my state school but say I originally picked my state school, I could never transfer back into this program if I was a borderline student.

Thus I committed to Drexel with the intent of making my actual decision on where to pursue college after my freshman year (Either continue at Drexel or transfer out and become a traditional premed). This would then allow me to make the best decision on my future.

@Djax99 -- this post makes perfect sense, and shows that you weighed the pros and cons and made an informed decision. Of course, only time will tell if it works out, and neither you nor anyone else has a crystal ball.

I appreciate you are nervous as you are about to embark on the next stage of your life, but please understand that your concern, and your OP, is very premature and you really just need to relax, do your best, and try to enjoy the ride. As you correctly pointed out, being in the program with the ability to leave it later gives you more flexibility than not being in the program at all. That said, there is really nothing of value anyone can say to you before you even begin as to whether you should transfer out, based on how you might do over the next three years, or, assuming you do well, whether you should throw away a guarantee in order to try to save some money or go to a more prestigious school. If you still feel less risk averse than you did when you made your decision to go for the BS/MD after you have an MCAT score and a few years worth of college grades, why not come back here and solicit opinions then?? 🙂

For what it's worth, unless you absolutely hate Drexel or being in the program, I would not transfer out to be a traditional premed until after I had an MCAT score, since you won't have any way of knowing until then whether you are going to need the guarantee (the closer you are to 511, the more valuable the guarantee will be to you). Of course, all bets are off if you hate the program and change your mind about medical school.