Reply to Which colleges have a combined bachelor/M.D. program?

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Which colleges have a combined bachelor/M.D. program?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am a parent of a son who completed the BA/MD program.

My advice: focus on the placements at residency programs after they finish medical school. While the medical school matters, what assumes increasing importance is where the individual ends up doing his/her residency. Down the line, it will determine the job opportunities that will become available. What matters for selection at the top residency programs is the USMLE score, GPA, recommendations and, of course, the interview. This is not to say the medical school does not matter but it is just one more factor.

The medical schools usually publish the where their graduates have obtained placements. The residency program is especially important if one wishes to pursue academic medicine.

In private practice the reputation of the residency program also helps but down the line it is the experience and reputation of the doctor that matters.

How often does the average person check on the medical school and the residency program a doctor has attended? We rely on the recommendations of friends, acquaintances and physicians when we decide on a specialist we should consult.[/quote]

PP here. great post. however it has been of my experience that many graduates of combined programs place well in competitive residencies in choice programs. [b]The students that get into combined programs in the first place are really strong as the competition is fierce to get in.[/b][/quote]

You are quite correct. My post was intended to shift the emphasis away from trying to get into the most highly rated medical schools and to be cognizant that even middling schools will offer a pathway to good residency programs if the other parameters I cited are satisfied. Of course, if one can get into one of the top notch integrated programs that is great, but it is not an imperative by any means.

Ever since our son got into one of these programs - a mid-level med school and then into a top-notch residency program - friends and acquaintances ask us for advice as it pertains to their children who are thinking of doing the same thing. We essentially tell them what I posted above.

In the case of our son, it was the only integrated program to which he applied - and he did it half-heartedly - because he was intent on doing his undergrad and then applying to med school. So when he got in, his first inclination was to reject the opportunity. We persuaded him to at least meet a couple of students who were already part of the same integrated program. He did so and based on their feedback he decided to accept the slot he was offered. He has occasionally regretted not applying to a couple of the more prestigious programs in his senior year of high school but quite honestly - and he acknowledges this - it really would not have made a difference in terms of the residency program where he matched.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics