<p>crueltrit,
In my opinion, I don’t think one way of entering medical school is better than the other -it all comes down to what sort of experience you want.</p>
<p>The nice thing about the combined medical programs is the fact that you are guaranteed a spot in medical school, as long as you maintain the minimum standard set by the program (usually the requirements are fairly reasonable/do-able). It also lets you finish 1 year early, which is good if finances are an issue.</p>
<p>Of course, the fact that it is accelerated can be a con for some people. You may not have as much time to explore other areas as you would if you spent a full 4 years doing the undergrad portion (then again, there are some programs that are 8 years, allowing you to take 4 years to do the undergrad and still giving you a spot in med school)</p>
<p>Another thing is that the combined programs are more for people that are absolutely sure that they want to be a doctor, and are extremely competitive to get into. However, if that’s what you want, and you get in, it takes off some of the stress during your undergrad years because you don’t have to worry nearly as much about whether you’ll get into med school. In addition, some programs will not require the MCAT. Some combined programs will not allow you to apply to other medical schools without forfeiting your spot, so that might be something to consider when making your decision.</p>