@collegestu816: Uhmmmm…most people don’t have scores high enough to be selected for BS/MD programs…even at less elite U’s, the threshold is pretty high. Even some of those with decent scores (like around the mean) at Emory will not be selected for these programs.
I don’t think Emory should ever get such a program personally as it will just attract more hardcore “I already know absolutely what I want to do in life and will not consider other things” pre-meds to the school which isn’t really needed. We have enough of that without the program. Also, with such a program, the desperation will increase such that people just avoid rigorous instruction every single year as opposed to the current scheme where many students at least try it first and second year and then stop doing so after not receiving enough A’s. However, at least they got 2 years of solid training. If BS/MD set some threshold like 3.5-3.7(because the school wants to protect its rank), then I guarantee you pre-meds in that program will generally be ultra soft. Taking risk away in one area adds to the perception of risk in another.
I suggest the OP pick out a school and then, again, test the waters with classes that overlap with engineering AND pre-med the freshman year and try to figure out what they like more intellectually or can do better in. and then proceed from there. The fact is, if they start at Tech, they may still graduate in 5-6 years if they do the co-opt program which is worth it in my opinion. This “4-year experience” is over-rated in my opinion. If you can receive extra training that makes you more prepared for graduate school or job placement over a slightly longer period of time…so be it. Much better than a standard 4-year experience with no major industry connections in the sciences and much less post-grad options. Co-opt programs provide experience in terms of work and networking ultimately.