Thanks, that’s all really great information! And reassuring that the MCAT threshold isn’t scary-high.
So, OP… I think that gives you a glimpse of how much work this path will be. If that sounds like a challenge that you’re eager take on, then stay the course and go for it! (If your reaction is “Wait, what?”… then it sounds as if you still have a couple more days to consider your options.) You have earned several great opportunities, and it’s good to make sure you feel settled about your choice. Good luck!
In your mind, what’s the difference between PA and Family Doctor?
What would be your ideal day as a medical practicioner?
The way you envision the 2 professions may help us tell you if one is better for you (or not).
OP- what you are experiencing is so common that there is a name for it- and people who study the phenomenon (Google “Buyer’s Remorse”).
You wouldn’t be human if you made a big decision and then started second-guessing yourself as to all the reasons why it was the wrong decision. But I’ll bet you dinner that if you’d picked Hofstra you’d be feeling exactly the same way-- except regretting Hofstra, choosing to be close to friends, shutting down the physician pathway too early, etc. That’s what Buyer’s Remorse is all about- regretting the choice and the process of experiencing uncertainty, not any tangible issues with the actual path you are taking.
You’re getting excellent advice here. I will echo WayoutWest mom’s suggestion to be ahead of the game when it comes to review sessions, office hours, etc. If you got accepted to the accelerated program, there’s no doubt in my mind that you can become a successful physician. The only variable here is you- making sure you understand the material your classes are covering (they will move VERY fast compared with HS), devoting enough time to each of your classes, taking studying seriously. And maintaining your own health of course- eating regular healthy meals, getting exercise, sleep.
You will find many other kids in your situation at NYIT. They’ve left their close friends behind – at home, to other colleges, in other parts of the country. No, you aren’t going to find your BFF in the first five minutes. But everyone else is feeling strange and lonely and weird, and so it will be easier than you anticipate to start a conversation with a stranger and see where it goes.
Some friendships last past HS and others do not, and from my experience, it has nothing to do with how far apart the colleges are. There are best friends who decide to become roommates at college and by Thanksgiving they are no longer speaking and are begging their college’s housing office to switch rooms. It happens.
You’ve got this! Put the decision behind you and don’t worry that your natural regrets mean you’ve made the wrong decision. It means you are human- that’s all.
You seem like a smart person. Can’t you create new ways to have fun with new friends, as well as old? I am not sure how wise it is to give up the program at NYIT without at least giving it a shot. It seems far easier to transfer out if you really hate it, than to try and get into a BSDO program later on should you have regrets.
Basing your decision on friends isn’t the best way to ensure your future goals. You will make many new friends throughout your life, including ones at NYIT. I would stick with your plan for now. It should be fairly easy to transfer into Hofstra (as long as you maintain grades) if you really feel you made the wrong choice. Go to NYIT and take advantage of all the resources available for hard classes. There will almost certainly be tutoring, and you can attend study groups and professor office hours. They wouldn’t have admitted you if they didn’t think you could succeed.
OP, you have received excellent advice and many things to consider here. I would also add the following: a choice made now does not mean you are shutting down any possibility forever. There are many paths that can lead to you being a PA or a DO in the future. As long as you are not amassing insurmountable debt with either option, don’t think of either as a “wrong” choice, just “a choice for now.”
One of my kids ended up in the same city but at a different college than one of his best friends. He made lots of new friends, but also spent time at his friend’s school. If you are living at home, close to both campuses, there is no reason you can’t remain friends with your HS pals.
I think Blossom makes an excellent point: you would likely be questioning your decision in the other direction. Good luck!
None of my kids went to college with friends, all kept their HS friends and met college friends. Actually they all have several friends from kindergarten. I have a daily group text with 5 HS friends, and a weekly with 6 college friends, I’m 55+.