I am posting it for my son
Got admission to Drexel BS + MD 8 year program and also got undergrad in Boston University , Northeastern university for Bio
Which one do you suggest to go with
He thinks Drexel BS+ MD will not be a great fit as he thinks Drexel is ranked at #84 for med school
Wants to go Northeastern or BU for undergrad and then again look for med school
We are thinking that may not be wise as again he has to complete for med school after 3 years
Please suggest which will be a better choice
Both are giving some scholarship but not completely , but may shell down 40k per year for all the above schools
When he’s taking orgo pass fail, looking at a semester abroad and not having to spend his 21 birthday cramming for MCATs he will feel differently.
Do you know what the the lowest ranked person from the lowest ranked med school is called? Doctor.
Does he want to be a doctor? Then he should go to Drexel.
If he isn’t sure, then go to BU.
Of course your finances should be taken into account.
The competition for med school will be a headache that he may regret. That weighs in Drexel’s favor.
Weighing against Drexel is the financial health of Hahnemann Hospital and the impact that could have on the medical school.
There’s much due diligence to be done here. Good luck to your son.
Not an option. Such programs typically require a minimum undergrad GPA and MCAT score, and Drexel’s is no different.
To the OP, as long as your s can apply out of Drexel, that could be a good deal. With a decent GPA and MCAT, it looks like assured admission to med school. But with a great GPA + MCAT, he would be attractive to higher ranked med schools.
https://drexel.edu/undergrad/apply/freshmen-instructions/accelerated/
Take Drexel, its a lot harder to get in than BU. He regrets later he can always transfer from D to BU, but not the other way around.
Thank you all
@jzducol If you mean the Drexel BS/MD program versus BU, that’s most likely true. However, Drexel normally is a lot easier to get into than BU.
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^Of course I was referring to BS/MD. Typically, those programs are on par with Ivies in their selectivity.
Wait, I thought Drexel does not have the direct BS/MS program anymore. I mean it is not guaranteed admission besides the min requirements.
If you really want to be a doctor, passing up on a BS/MD program is borderline insane…
@bopper thank you!
From the website,
I am not sure if I understand this correctly that they have a 2nd admission.
The big advantage is the 3.6 GPA - while it’s difficult to have (MUCH MUCH more than in HS) it’s still easier htan the traditional 3.75-3.8.
BU weeds AND has grade deflation. Really not a good choice for premeds.
Northeastern sounds like the best choice since Drexel BSMD doesn’t include automatic admission. Drexel’s advantage is the relatively “low” MCAT/GPA combination required, and if he gets higher he could apply elsewhere. NU has the co-op, which helps with the required clinical exposure.
“good med school” is relative: keep in mind about 75% would be premeds never end up applying to med school and of those who remain only about 40% get into even ONE med school.
According to my friend who went thru the program, out of 35 BSMD per class at Drexel 30-32 will go on to Drexel medical school, a pretty high percentage. Those 3-5 who didn’t go on either could get MCAT score (30 on the old test) or they changed their mind.
If OP is certain about going to medical school the choice is pretty clear.
Thank you, All your inputs are very helpful; will post the decision once he commits
I think that they changed the program from 7-year direct to 8-year early assurance about two years ago. Not really sure if your statistics still apply to the current case.
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check out studentdoctor . net
There you will see people saying “I only got into this lower tier DO school…should I reapply for MD schools next year.”
The answer is NO…if you want to be a doctor, take the opportunity you have to be a doctor.
What if you went to BU and had the GPA and MCAT Drexel requires and then didn’t get into Med school?
@bliebayou. I was only recounting my experience with plme at Brown and Pitts bs/md program.
Almost all the plme students take orgo pass fail. My niece is finishing her sophomore year and said what a difference not having to compete with the premed gunners and loved taking orgo pass fail. And being able to go abroad next fall. And in classes she likes. And not stressing get a top. mcat.
But appear Drexel seems different and OP listen to some of the others.
So I guess the only down side would be if you got a 3.5 and a middling Mcat. Probably no med school from either. And bu is perhaps a stronger degree to have. If you get a 3.6 and middling mcat. Drexel means med school. Bu means grad school trying something else. Both of which would be fine in the end.
since Acceptance is not guaranteed even with the minimum GPA + MCAT, I’d pass on Drexel. Besides BU, what other offers are out there? (BU’s a fine school, but has a rep for non-generous grading in teh sciences.)