What would you do?

[blz]

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At my college they offer a joint accelerated med program with Robert Wood Johnson University Medical School that you apply for after the second year of college. The basic requirements to apply is Bio, Chem, Orgo, English, and Calculus. They say that the average GPA of people who get it in is about a 3.8 and MCAT is NOT required. I have a 4.0 right now after my first semester of classes and given all my AP credit from highscool, all I have to take is Organic Chemistry to apply. Basically, if I try my best to ace orgo and keep up my extracurricular activities and research opportunities I was offered this summer, I should have a good chance to get in. However, do you think it would be a good idea to just go for the program or keep up my grades and extracurricular activities, take the MCATs, and try to get into a better Medical School. I'm not only concerned with being constrained to one medical school, but I am also concerned for my social life. I mean having to take medical school classes my 3rd and 4th year of undergrad school and finishing my Major does seem like a lot of work that can be very limiting on my social life. I do have a girlfriend and many other important things that I do not want to neglect. Thank you in advanced for your replies.

 

[waiting123]

Okay, I think in this case you will have to judge whether or not you think you will do well on the MCAT. If you are a NJ resident you will have a good chance at this med school and the other one in NJ even if you didn't join the program so you should take this into consideration. If you think you can do good on the mcat (as long as you study I am sure you will) it might just be worth it not to join the program if you want to have a more relaxed four years. On the other hand, if you wanted the guarantee of med school and to complete it fast then I would just join the program and work hard. Good Luck!

 

[blz]

One more thing about this program is that it's not 'accelerated' per se, it is still 8 years. Which means, I believe they take the first two years of med school and split them into 4 years in conjuction with your classes for your major. I don't know if that may mean that it may be more laid back given that the first two years of med school (the grueling memorization years) are split over 4 years. I guess I'm going to have to speak to someone who is in the program. I'm aware that many universities have these types of programs, anyone currently in one care to respond?

 

[irongirl]

I think your biggest concern should be, are you absolutely sure you want to committ yourself to being a physician this soon? It seems like it's really early in your education to decide to lock away the next 12 or so years of your life. Have you been able to get a lot of medical experience? If every cell in your body really wants to go into medicine, this would be a good way to insure that you are able to do so. Within reason, it doesn't matter too much which medical school you attend, as long as it is a decent one. Residency matters more. What does matter is that you are happy with the curriculum and how it is taught at that school. You should look carefully at the program. If you are positive you want to be a physician and you like the program, it would be a great way to save a couple of years and not have to deal with MCATs, AMCAS, interviews, and the expenses of applying to many schools. All of those things have a negative impact on your social life too.