Pros and Cons of 6 Year Med
Updated December 28, 2020
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What is a BA/MD Program? A BA(or BS)/MD program is a combined degree program that allows students to fulfill their bachelor’s degree, and immediately proceed to earning their medical degree. In most cases, this means bypassing the traditional medical school admission process at the end of undergrad.
The structure, length, and requirements for these programs can vary between universities. For instance, some combined programs are still the traditional 8 years, while some are combined and accelerated, shortening the process to 6 or 7 years. Another important difference is the MCAT requirement. Some programs will still require that you take the MCAT and do relatively well, while some skip it altogether. Noting these differences is important before enduring the application process, because some of these programs may or may not suit the path you desire.
Due to these differences between programs, I will be speaking to the pros and cons of the 6 year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. However, all of the advice given can apply to any combined program!
PROS of 6 year med
1. No Mcat or application requirements
One of the biggest pros of the UMKC program is that you completely get to skip the MCAT. The only requirement to continue on in the program is maintaining a 2.8 science GPA at the end of each promotion period (usually each semester). Getting to skip the MCAT allows you to avoid the stress of studying and paying for outside resources such as tutoring and practice materials. The time you save can instead be spent on getting clinical experience to build your CV for residency.
2. Early clinical experience
While most pre-med programs still offer the opportunity to shadow, scribe, or volunteer in the medical setting, this clinical experience is built into the UMKC program from the beginning. UMKC uses a docent system that pairs first year students in groups of 10-13 with a practicing physician, known as docents. From your second week in the program, you get the chance to shadow your docent once a week and talk to patients as any other medical student would. This early introduction to patient interviews allows you to become comfortable in a clinical setting before other future physicians.
3. Early access to research, mentors, and organizations
All of the organizations and research opportunities offered to medical students far into their education are also accessible to first year students. This allows you to get involved very early on, but more importantly, be a part of something meaningful for an extended period of time. For instance, while pre-meds may need to re-engage in new research opportunities and organizations after starting med school, the combined program allows you to be involved in long term research during all 6 years. This dedication and contribution will pay off when it comes time for residency applications.
4. Additional time to explore other ventures (gap years)
Although some combined programs are still 8 years, the UMKC program is accelerated. This means that the course is designed to allow students to complete both degrees in 6 years. There is certainly some flexibility in this, as some students decide to extend for off campus research opportunities or abroad experiences. However, these can also be done at the end of your 6 years, before applying to residency. Many students take gap years, but with an accelerated program, you get built in additional time if you do choose to explore additional endeavors before residency.
CONS of 6 year med
1. Intense coursework
Since the program is both combined and accelerated, a typical number of credit hours can range from 18-23 in your first semester. This can be difficult to manage, as you are learning to adjust to college life at the same time. This intense number of credit hours makes up partially for the 2 years that are taken off of the traditional route.
2. No long summer breaks
This makes up for whatever remains of those 2 years. From your first year, you will have a mandatory summer semester that is 8 weeks long with around 10 credit hours. While most pre-med students take a summer semester anyway, the program’s semester is mandatory and can be difficult to plan around if you want time to explore other things. It is still possible to relax during the two weeks of break you get before the summer semester, but it doesn’t allow the same level of flexibility as other college students.
3. Less time to explore beyond medicine
This is one that I have found to be agreed upon by many of my classmates. Because you have such a heavy course load and complete access to clinical experience from the start, it can be difficult to make time for other hobbies. At UMKC, being part of the undergrad organizations requires some more research and time, just because you won’t be told about them as much. While there is unlimited access to all of the medical schools’ organizations and events, you become quite disconnected from the undergrad campus. However, if you chose to make time for other hobbies beyond medicine, it is definitely possible! For instance, I personally am part of a Bollywood fusion dance team at UMKC, which functions outside of the med school.
Should I apply?
Deciding if a combined program is right for you can be hard to do, but ultimately, it is your decision. Just like any other university, many diverse individuals with a variety of backgrounds are a part of these programs, but they all share the definitive desire to be a physician. In a combined program, there is less flexibility to change your career path and explore majors outside of medicine. Especially since the application process is very long and competitive, being unsure about a career in medicine probably means that your time and effort is best spent applying to universities you are truly passionate about. The experience and freedom you may gain from the traditional undergrad route are often missing in these combined programs. However, if you are willing to dedicate more to the goal of becoming a physician and adjusting to the intensity from the get-go, a combined program is worth the effort. In the end, whether you decide to follow the traditional route or enroll in a combined program, it is up to you to decide how you spend your time beyond coursework.
NEHA POTTA
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Medical School: University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine
Year: BS/MD