I was notified this morning that one of the students in the Early Medical School Acceptance Program(EMSAP) at the University of Alabama Birmingham has been chosen as a Rhodes Scholar for 2015. This is of course great news for the young man given this award but it also illustrates a point I have often made.
You do not need to go to one of a handful of colleges to be successful. Students interested in medical school in general, and BS/MD programs in particular, have a wide range of options. Many colleges provide wonderful opportunities even if the college may not be highly ranked by a group like US News.
How many Rhodes Scholars did HPME have this year? None. Don’t get me wrong. I like Northwestern and HPME and have had many students attend. But it is not the only great option available to students interested in BS/MD programs.
Most students admitted to EMSAP pay little or no tuition because of merit awards that they receive. And, unlike many other BS/MD programs, students can apply to other medical schools without losing their guaranteed seat at the UAB medical school.
Is EMSAP a good option for everyone? No. But no BS/MD program is a good option for everyone. This is why I encourage students to do some homework before deciding where they wish to apply. And forget the rankings because they might cause you to miss some great options for you.
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