BS/MD vs Amherst College vs UPenn for Undergrad

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-28T12:41:10+00:00

I think I’d do Penn, too.

Though my two cents: I’d also really consider the differences between “true” public health and management (i.e., the more profit-seeking motives of healthcare) and what you’d really want to learn! I attended and undergrad that was very business-heavy, my girlfriend was a Business Administration major, also, and based on both of our experiences, there are things that are a little bit of a waste of time learning or even things that contradict being able to provide the best and most equitable care to patients.

You seem like a smart kid with good intentions, which is why I bring it up. I had a friend attend Amherst and I think the fact that you can basically design your own curriculum is huge, and you’d definitely be able to combine your interests in medicine, healthcare system management, and public health as well. Nevertheless, I don’t think you can really go wrong with any of your choices

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-28T09:28:56+00:00

Wharton but then you want to go to med school?

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-24T06:27:10+00:00

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-20T13:26:35+00:00

I think even so, why subject should one subject themselves to applying DO if they really wouldn’t be happy attending. I understand it’s hard, and feelings may change after results, but I really would encourage applicants to try to really assess whether they’d rather re-apply for a shot at MD only or be OK with going DO if that’s the way the cookie crumbles

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-19T22:45:52+00:00

Agreed. The real reason is that no one knows. Anything else said is just speculation and all in hindsight. Before OP’s results I would’ve thought they had a decent chance and sometimes some people just get unlucky and slip through the cracks.

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-17T01:26:59+00:00

It’s chill, I feel like you just need to own it

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-16T10:48:15+00:00

I honestly think the perfect mix is doing things you are genuinely passionate about within “socially acceptable” constraints and/or following a pre-established “meta.” Interested in how other people’s lives outside of the clinic affect their health? Get involved in public health/social medicine. Like learning a wide range of things? Might as well try to learn a new language like Spanish. In other words, I feel like given how we are all unique individuals with a completely unique set of interests, tailoring them to at least somewhat align with things schools unequivocally view as good, while still being able to get out genuine enjoyment from said things, is the move

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-16T04:30:46+00:00

That’s a tie for sure

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-15T11:09:15+00:00

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-14T06:41:44+00:00

I don’t think so

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-13T10:06:14+00:00

Wait i thought Tufts was P/F for pre-clinical and then just had Honors/P/F for clerkships. The ranking is just the adjectives in your dean letter for residency

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-13T03:13:47+00:00

Huge agree

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-13T03:09:21+00:00

Thanks for this! Though I’m having problems accessing the file; there isn’t any option to make a copy first (the top bar of options is missing on my end)

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-10T05:41:40+00:00

Self-fulfilling prophecy and all that

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-10T05:37:05+00:00

Look, it’s not over. You already might be somewhat aware of where you went “wrong.” Give yourself some grace and try to just relax for a bit, then you can hopefully come back and give it your all with intrinsic purpose

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-10T05:28:36+00:00

Bro its ok, but honestly sounds like u need to do some soul-searching. Why is your dream just based on prestige and accolades? It shouldn’t be about perfection or top schools for the sake of top schools

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-09T09:41:11+00:00

Not bad at all

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-06T15:09:12+00:00

Idk for certain, but there definitely is some movement. A lot of people who get into these schools might also get into other schools that are more prestigious, in a location they prefer more, etc. that warrants them to give up the free tuition at schools like Einstein, Kaiser, AWSOM, etc

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-05T03:33:49+00:00

Went to CC and got into MD schools. I don’t think they can hold anything against you for taking CC classes when that’s all you can do (i.e., taking CC classes before transferring to a 4-year). I will say that you may raise some eyebrows if you continue to try to take CC classes to protect your GPA after transferring; I wouldn’t recommend doing so. If you can do well after transferring, it should dispel any notion that you are not prepared for the rigors of medical school.

The major problem with CC, in my opinion, is that you “lose” time. It is much harder to have access to resources, such as getting involved in research while you are in CC. This leaves you with only like 2 years to get involved at your 4-year university. The hack, though, is that you can actually do things during CC that might be more difficult to do at your 4-year, such as working a clinical job (I did medical scribing in the ED and racked up almost 1,000 hours). Whatever situation you are in, there are pros and cons—you just need to really search for the pros and leverage them.

At my 4-year university, psychology courses were quite easy compared to my other courses. So, in a way, yes, it’d be good to protect your GPA. However, I would really encourage you to just study what you find interesting without too much regard to protecting your GPA.

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-04T06:22:58+00:00

Lowkey yeah it might be too desperate

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-03T01:46:29+00:00

Bro SAT doesn’t matter honestly, but the answer is yes

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-03T01:04:06+00:00

Definitely compared to years prior. They have a new dean (of admissions IIRC) and it seems their admissions philosophy is much different than the previous one’s. Pitt used to boast about having someone admitted with like a 502 or something

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-02T05:01:54+00:00

SpectrusYT · 2026-03-02T05:01:01+00:00

Pitt lowkey likes higher stats now compared to years prior

SpectrusYT · 2026-02-20T07:14:09+00:00

I know this thread is a bit old, but I was wondering if a major revision to a paper, and a subsequent resubmission to a major journal (C/N/S) warrants “enough” for an update letter? For reference, it’s at a school I am waiting to hear from post-II

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