Hey guys! So, I recently got accepted into Johns Hopkins, Duke, WashU, and BU SMED (Boston University’s 7 year direct medical program). I am really into medicine, so I just kind of applied to universities that were known for their medical or pre-medical programs. But, now I am not really sure where I want to go. Can you guys offer me advice please?
As for me, I plan on double majoring in neuroscience and public health (global health at Duke), and I plan to attend medical school. So I am really looking for a university that has a strong neuroscience major, strong public/ community/ global health major, and has good opportunities for research and international service. Obviously, academics and student life are also very important. So, can you guys comment on the academics, professors, programs, opportunities, and general environment of these universities?
CONGRATULATIONS on your outstanding acceptances to so many superb universities!
Your post did not mention finances, however, you may be (presuming medical shool) confronting eight VERY EXPENSIVE years of higher education. Is your family able to afford these costs for all the options you’ve cited? If so, you’re blessed (but also quite unusual).
With the premise that money isn’t a major decision factor, your second paragraph honestly sounds like “the essence of Duke.” I do not suggest the other institutions are not similarly aligned with your goals and criteria, but I can only authoritatively comment concerning Duke.
If you’re sure you plan on attending medical school, go for the direct medical program. For a career in medicine, undergraduate institutions are less important, and even where the medical degree comes from is less important than residency (and thus Step 1 and grades/references). Direct admissions trumps worrying about even getting in later on.
@TopTier Finances are important for me. But just to give you an idea…BU will cost 24 K for the 3 years UG (I dont know about medical school), JHU also 24K, WashU 31K, and Duke 34 K. I am an only child, so my parents can technically afford all of those, but I myself would feel guilty to spend so much. I did e-mail Duke and WashU though, asking if they could match JHU’s aid. And as for the essence of Duke part, I will admit, before getting acceptances, Duke was my dream school. I kinda applied to BU SMED last minute, and I wasn’t expecting to get in so I never gave it much thought. But now since I did get in, I want to weigh all options.
@phospholipase I am very confident about medicine, and many of the BU SMED kids I have talked to also said what you said about UG and medical schools not mattering. I am aware that BU has amazing stats in matching residencies. However, I am still wary about the process of matching, and I do not know if I would get matched into a really good place. This might come out as shallow, but I do want to go/ work at a big brand university at some point in my life, so could you possibly explain matching better? If I get good scores in Med School and have great interviews, can I be assured of some good residency? Because if I can still have the opportunity of being associated with a big brand through residency, I am honestly leaning towards BU.
@namz17 Matching is the process in which medical school graduates (or more accurately, about to graduate) get “matched” into a residency program, where they learn to specialize in more specific fields. When you graduate from medical school, you have gone through several rotations, but you have not worked long in a specific field. When you become a “real” doctor, you become a resident, intern, or attending, working in a hospital.
Matching usually means you get a residency in a hospital/university hospital. There is the chance to work at a big brand school. Without matching and doing a residency, you can’t really get a license or become a practicing physician. Matching into a top program of your choice depends a lot on your board exams (beginning with Step 1), grades, and references during medical school. The saying is that you can get into a great residency from any medical school as long as your scores, grades, and letters are good. You can go to the best medical school in the country and not match if you fail your Step 1.
@phospholipase Okay gotcha. So I still have the chance of getting into a great residency at a big brand school even if I do BU SMED as long as I keep my scores and grades high and maintain good relations with mentors and professors?
@namz17 Yes, if you do well at BU you can go to JHU, Duke, or WashU for your residency. But keep in mind some specialties are more competitive than others, and some schools are more competitive as well. A residency in a field like dermatology (one of the most competitive) will be harder to get than something like pediatrics or internal medicine. Residencies at big name schools, especially those along either coast, are also more competitive than those in the Midwest and South.
Doing BU SMED obviates needing to worry as much about pre med grades, MCAT, letters of rec and dozens of applications on AMCAS later, if BU already has a spot for you. It’s a stressful process, and BU is a good school, but if you don’t want to do SMED you just have to apply to medical school with everyone else.