Sophie Davis 7 yr BS/MD vs NYU, BostonU, or Bing

[SharonW]

I am a concerned parent and would really appreciate some input!My daughter is deciding on the best route for pre-med, with hope of orthopedics specialty. She is leaning toward the Sophie Davis 7 yr BS/MD program, and I am nervous that she will be undermining her ability to get good orthopedics residency afterwards. Please weigh in. Choices are
- the 7 yr Sophie Davis program (admit into med school w/o MCAT, 3 yr undergrad aligned with med studies, primary care emphasis, brand new med school thru CUNY system, residencies w/St Barnabas, lower ranked med school & residency, lower cost but expensive housing and no meal plan make the difference lower, no college campus experience.
- NYU, with offer in the Presidential Scholars Program
- Boston U, although no financial aid due to paperwork snag. Would need to transfer to receive aid.

She attended a specialized high school, had a 99 average, 35 ACT, and 800 Math 2, 780 Biology SAT Subject Tests, and strong leadership and EC background. Was hoping for stronger options (Duke, Ivies, Hopkins) leading to higher ranked med school. The fact that she didn't receive more offers, plus hearing of many graduating from top schools & didn't get into med schools, makes her less sure of getting into a top med school if passes on the 7 yr program.

In the past Sophie Davis students matched to NYU, Dartmouth, etc. med schools. Recently opened their own CUNY med school, affiliated with rotations at St Barnabas hospital. My biggest concern is that she will save a year, some $, and the stress of MCATs -- but not be able to line up a good residency in orthopedics because hospitals are less impressed with students from a new medical school/St Barnabas rotation.

Any advise? Thoughts? (btw, I'm not familiar with all the correct terms, process, so please excuse if I misstated things regarding the residency etc.) THANK YOU!!

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[libertyyne]

There is a risk she may not do enough in college to get admitted to medical school. The risk is real considering 60% of all medical school applicants do not get a position. There are many individuals who have issues with the mcat.

Hard work in medical school may allow people to go into most residencies as long as all the other boxes are checked for the residency.

She may change her mind regarding orthopedics many times during school.

I would personally save a year and go to the 7 year program.

If you are risk averse the 7 year program makes sense.

If she feels like taking the risk and knows her performance in college may warrant admission to a medical school I would go to NYU.

 

[Osminog]

Congratulations to your daughter! Here are some thoughts:

1. People who want to become doctors in high school sometimes change their minds in college. I had a friend in college who came in as a pre-med and did fantastically in all of his pre-med coursework... but he ultimately realized that he loved research far more than being in a clinical setting, so he's now pursuing a STEM PhD.

2. If your daughter is smart enough to get great grades and test scores in high school, she should be able to get into medical school through the traditional route.

3. CUNY's medical school is unranked and not highly regarded, and the Sophie Davis program is very primary care-oriented (40% of graduates go into primary care -- and those who don't pay an extra fee). Also, I have heard that the program is very strict; if you don't meet standards, you are kicked out... and you aren't even granted a bachelor's degree to show for it.

There's another SDN user in a somewhat similar predicament. See the feedback here: Rice Undergrad vs. Sophie Davis

I recommend NYU.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Why the fixation with ortho? She may decide she doesn’t even want to be a doctor. Tunnel vision this early is a bad thing. To choose schools based on a potential residency choice, without knowing anything about what being a doctor (let alone a subspecialist) involves, is very silly.


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