<p>In europe, the coursework tend to be more advanced, both in math and the liberal arts (I omitted the sciences because I still haven’t experienced enough of the US HS science to make a very accurate appraisal). Thus, when going to college, very few people are “undecided” and most (90-95%) have a very definite career objective. </p>
<p>Here is a distinction I want to point out. The HS system in Europe makes a very sharp break from middle school. In the US, such a break is much milder. People who go to HS in EU have an almost definite goal to go to college. If they don’t, they usually drop out after a “Brevet” at the end of middle school, and go to a professional/technical HS.</p>
<p>This somewhat “elitist” HS system promotes higher level of learning, and permits greater exposure to fields we are interested in. Besides, the two last year of HS (at least in France), you choose a form of your baccalaureate. I think the options are science, economic sciences, literature and another one I don’t remember. This permits exposure to a field that you might want to pursue in college, and permits you to make “educated choices”</p>
<p>Those specializations are very mild and flexible. A literature emphasis still requires an equivalent of Calc BC, while a science emphasis still requires a philosophy course. However, the difference lies mainly in how weighed are each subject when you pass the final examination at the baccalaureate.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I do not know if such a system is possible in the US, especially when I see so many students in my HS slacking off or being unmotivated. However, I do feel that a there should be a somewhat higher national standard, with more emphasis on critical thinking, written skills, and mature thoughts. To me, the SAT is the symbol of the test-taking attitude I dislike the US.</p>
<p>True, the US system has many flaws. The high school system is horrible. And the college and graduate school admissions practices are unthetical even on dictator standards.</p>
<p>Is MIT famous of not doing well in nourishing its pre-med students?</p>
<p>MIT is not famous for their food, but I believe their dining plan is buffet style. But just in case, I’d advise you take some multivitamins with you.</p>
<p>hahaha well actually, from what I read in the past in these forums is that MIT is notorious for grade deflation, which means you get lower grades for equal effort, ceteris paribus.</p>
<p>Not all High schools in US are mediocre.</p>
<p>Magnet schools or academies and many blue ribbon schools in the Northeast are very elite, extremly competitive, and comparable to EU HSs. Admission at these schools is highly selective, exacting, and pretty rigorous …generally accepting only top 3-5 students from each school district. These magnet schools have different academies within their system ranging from Comp Sci, Engineering, Medical Sciences, Business, Arts, and Culinary to name a few. </p>
<p>Over and above required courses, they offer College level specialized courses within each academy. For exa, the medical academy offers prep courses in Pharmacology, Cell Bio, Biochem, Anatomy and Physiology. </p>
<p>A significant % of student who graduate from these HSs do get accepted in BS/MD, or BS/OD programs. I think this route is very similar to the route available to medical/optometry students in EU and in Asia.</p>
<p>However, when you see the overall US picture, I guess this represents a very small percentage of US student population.</p>
<p>For example, from one of the top prep schools in NJ, in Fall 2007, 5 applicants were accepted in BS/MD program, and 1 accepted in BS/optometry program with UMDNJ/TCNJ. </p>
<p>I think that these direct medical programs offer a path similar to pursuing an MBBS in UK or India, for example. Student in India get accepted into med schools after their 2nd year in College. </p>
<p>So, in a way, these direct medical programs are creating a path similar to that allowed for med students in EU and Asia.</p>
<p>“So, in a way, these direct medical programs are creating a path similar to that allowed for med students in EU and Asia.”</p>
<p>That’s the exact unfairness I wanted to point out. Medical admission in the US is so much dependent on the HS record. “Magnet program” obviously is sth very few high school students are in, and this elitist system is not open to many people, which is exactly opposite opposite to what happens in EU. Medical school is open admission 1st yr.</p>
<p>“5 applicants were accepted in BS/MD program, and 1 accepted in BS/optometry program with UMDNJ/TCNJ”
Lol, in France, out of 120 applicants to medical school, 115 are usually accepted because 5 of them failed their baccalaureat! It’s completely different. THis system promotes fairness, since you can suck at HS (or have many difficulties), and then if you are truly changing, you still have a great shot.</p>
<p>… except that kids don’t have to use the BS/MD track, and in fact the most selective medical schools generally don’t offer it anyway.</p>
<p>I was just pointing out that the path Pharmagal described as similar to EU medical track is in fact very different (in a somewhat negative way in my opinion). I was not talking about the traditional premed track.</p>
<p>W&C,</p>
<p>I was referring to the total no. of years required to complete MD by direct medical programs in the US…it’s similar to EU’s track, isn’t it?</p>
<p>Yes, both are around 6/7yrs (in EU, many med students fail their 1st yr, so the average may be around 6.5 yrs)</p>