<p>anyone have VCU interview advice? Any obamacare or ethics? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks</p>
<p>istrum - where are you located? All roads lead to medicine as long as you are willing to attend that specific undergrad school. It is primarily to encourage rural students attending local univesities to consider medicine and these programs have been around much longer than the other new programs in Texas.</p>
<p>medaspirant - NOTHING guarantees you interviews for BS/MD. UPitt GAP interview is very prestigious (I know someone with 2380, 3190 in 4 subject tests and good research exp who did not get a call). UMKC is very competitive. So you have done ok since you are aiming quite high. If you were serious, you would apply to 20 schools and make sure you follow all of them through. If you have turned down UMKC, it tells us you are not serious about BS/MD and will only consider specific programs.</p>
<p>@Midhelper, you suggested @MedAspirant to call the schools and ask why he was not selected for interview. My question is: has anyone done that and do medical schools actually tell applicants why they were not selected?</p>
<p>@Texaspg, you asked Medaspirant what state he/she is from and is he/she a male or female…
My question is: Does being a male or female make a difference in BS/MD admission? I can see geographical location can make a difference. I am curious about how these factors influence the applicants’ chances.</p>
<p>@texaspg, I would agree with what you posted. It is ashme that our students are not guided properly. One should be asking two questions: Do I want to only have education in a prestigious colleges or program because I have the stats to do so; or All I want is to be a physician, irrespective of where I go because I am smart enough to be able to make the right path for my medical career even if I only go to a second or third tier BS/MD program. If it is the former and you only apply to the top programs, be prepared to get rejections and do not complain about it because you may be someone with impressive stats, there are many more out there to compete with you. If it is the latter, then play it strategically. Apply to some top schools, to some mediocre schools and to some lower ranked schools. If you have very impressive stats, you will get into some programs, although they may not be the top and prestigious programs that your parents like you to go or programs that you can brag to your friends and classmates. But just believe in yourself and believe that you can make things happen wherever you may go. </p>
<p>@texaspg. I am from one of the major Texas cities. This program is new and started at the same time as PACT and FAME. From what I gather, they take about 50 students but only 18 make it to the med school portion. </p>
<p>@4beardolls I only suggested that he call because I thought that he only applied to 3 schools and since he was rejected he had nothing to lose. Turning down an interview but then complaining that you aren’t getting interviews from particular schools is a totally different story. I have no clue what percentage of these applicants are perfect score applicants but I am thinking that the essay also has a strong influence. How you portray yourself - well you have to be you because that is the only thing that can not be duplicated. Grades can be duplicated by other students but YOU are YOU - I hope his/her essays were sincere in conveying “why medicine”. Bottom line though, I think that it never hurts to ask. Worst case they tell you to go away.</p>
<p>Of course there is also that other issue…IMHO…is it in the stars? I remember the lady from Drexel telling me that she is surprised all the time as to why some students get accepted and others are rejected - that’s why she said they forward off so many of the applicants to the medical school for screening.</p>
<p>Good luck all - but it’s definitely not a shoe in if you have perfect scores.</p>
<p>I must be the perfect example of how academics or having perfect SAT score doesnt really matter in BS/MD admissions. I am barely ranked in top 8%-9% in my school and yet have recieved about 5 interview calls. My Chem SAT is BELOW a 700 and my math 2 is not an 800 </p>
<p>istrum - Didn’t you already make the cut for the other two program interviews? It is upto you whether you want to consider this program if it materializes but I would not advise anyone to go to a program which has fewer seats in medical school than those accepted to the program. PACT and FAME are good programs because that is how they work but SHAPE at UT Austin closed down because people started choosing PACT over SHAPE because of excess number of admissions without enough seats. The last year they only had 17 students for 30 open seats when they had planned to have 45 compete for 30 seats.</p>
<p>4beardolls - It is a lot more competitive for female applicants in BS/MD because more have established credentials suitable for BS/MD (research, volunteering, shadowing etc.). So I am never surprised if a girl with 2400 did not get make the cut at some of the programs.</p>
<p>@texaspg what are your opinions about about UH as a undergrad school and their 3/4 combined program. how would it be possible to know if it is binding or not ?</p>
<p>UH is a very good school (I am biased since I have an MBA from them!). It is a very new program but both schools they are tied into are very reputable (UT-H and UTMB) and well known. I understand you need to meet certain criteria to go all the way.</p>
<p>What do you mean by binding?</p>
<p>@texaspg thanks for the info . if one is accepted would they have the option of applying to other med schools like ut southwestern</p>
<p>tdoc - “Acceptance into Medical School also requires 32 on the MCAT and a 3.80 GPA overall and 3.70 Science GPA”</p>
<p>I see this requirement. I am checking on the binding part with the program director.</p>
<p>@texaspg, I didn’t realize BS/MD is more competitive for girls. Your explanation makes sense.</p>
<p>@texaspg Do you have contacts with all the program directors or something? That’s so nice of you to get information for others.</p>
<p>tdoc - Here is a response on the binding from the program director - “Not at all. Binding on us - not on them”</p>
<p>midhelper - I started trading emails with a few to ask questions. I started talking to UH director because I could not find any information online and wanted the requirements for the program a few months ago.</p>
<p>I’m really perplexed by the lack of HPME interview notices on CollegeConfidential…of course, not everyone posts here but…still…
I hope they don’t release a torrent of rejections on Friday or something <.></p>
<p>@AspiringStudent Did you get an HPME interview notice?</p>
<p>@texaspg, I have always wondered if you are a private college admissions counselor. Your wealth of information and contacts would make you a really good one!!!</p>
<p>@AspiringStudent- I still haven’t heard from Northwestern either! I hope they let us know soon. There’s probably some wait-list or something, and after seeing how many kids they accept from each interview day, they notify those of us who haven’t heard yet. I have no clue if it’s true but it would explain why they send notifications in sporadic batches. I just want to heeeaaaarrrrrr already </p>