🍦 Today's Scoops: What even is a BS/MD program?(Oct 5)

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: University of Chicago

2. Admissions Blueprint: Your guide to college clubs

3. Hear From Your Peers: Samhita’s Scoop on BS/MD programs

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
University of Chicago

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Chicago, IL
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 32,458
📊 Acceptance Rate: 5% (37,522 applicants)
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1540/34
💸 Tuition: $61,179 (tuition), $18,396 (room & board)
📅 Admission Options: Early Action (Nov 1), Early Decision (Nov 1), Early Decision II (Jan 6), Regular Decision (Jan 6)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Philosophy (#5), Economics (#6), Physics (#9) (Niche
📈 Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences (34%), Biomedical Sciences (12%), Mathematics (10%) (Scoir)

Some Positives

🎓 Top-Tier Economics Program: UChicago’s Department of Economics is world-renowned, producing several Nobel laureates. Students interested in economic theory, policy, or financial markets benefit from access to resources like the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics and research opportunities under leading economists Learn more about UChicago Economics.

📚 Unique Core Curriculum: UChicago’s Core Curriculum requires all students to engage in interdisciplinary studies in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. This broad education fosters a well-rounded intellectual foundation and promotes analytical thinking across disciplines Explore UChicago’s Core Curriculum.

🧠 Strong Research Focus: With institutes like the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Enrico Fermi Institute, UChicago is a research powerhouse. Students can engage in cutting-edge projects in fields like physics, chemistry, and AI, contributing to advancements in areas like quantum computing and environmental sustainability. Explore Research at UChicago.

🎨 Cultural and Intellectual Hub: Located in Chicago, UChicago offers students access to a vibrant arts scene, museums, and cultural institutions. The university’s Smart Museum of Art and Court Theatre are just a few of the resources that allow students to engage in cultural exploration and artistic expression. Discover UChicago’s Arts and Culture.

Some Negatives

📚 Intense Academic Environment: UChicago is famous for its rigorous academics, and the workload can be heavy, particularly in the Core Curriculum. The high expectations may create a stressful environment for students who thrive in a more relaxed atmosphere.

💸 High Cost of Attendance: UChicago’s tuition is among the highest in the country, which can be a financial strain for many families. Although the school offers generous financial aid, the overall cost remains a concern for some students. Learn more about financial aid at UChicago.

🌬️ Cold Winters: Chicago winters are known to be brutally cold and windy, which can be tough for students unaccustomed to such harsh weather conditions. The weather may limit outdoor activities during the winter months.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
Your guide to college clubs

What are College Clubs?

College clubs are student-run organizations that cover everything. From academic groups like pre-med societies and engineering clubs to career-driven ones like consulting and finance groups, and even quirky hobby-based clubs for things like chess or ultimate frisbee—there’s something for everyone. Some are competitive (think: landing a spot in a top-tier business club), while others are easygoing and open to anyone interested. Whether you’re looking to network with like-minded peers, learn something new, or just have fun, these clubs are the heart of campus life.

Why Do They Matter?

Joining college clubs can be a game-changer. They’re a prime opportunity to make connections with fellow students, professors, and even industry professionals—some of which could help land you internships or even job offers down the road. Clubs also give you hands-on experience in fields you’re passionate about, and leadership positions can strengthen your resume. Beyond that, they help you find a sense of community, making the transition into college life much smoother.

What High Schoolers Need to Know

When applying to college, don’t sleep on clubs. Admissions officers love to see students who are passionate about getting involved on campus. So, if you’ve been active in high school clubs, sports teams, or community organizations, make sure to highlight that on your application! It shows you’re not just focused on academics, but also eager to contribute to the school’s community. Then, importantly, do your research and share what clubs you might be interested in at the school itself. You can usually share this information in supplemental essays like a Why Us? prompt.

HEAR FROM YOUR PEERS
Samhita’s Scoop on BS/MD programs

Samhita is a high school senior from the Bay Area. She plans on majoring in Human Biology and in her free time, enjoys learning Bharatanatyam, doing research, and taking part in drama productions.

Are there any things in your high school journey that you look back upon and think, “Yeah, I made a great decision with that?” 

I’m definitely very glad that I got involved in research early on. Doing it for two years and full time during my sophomore and junior year summers allowed me to get a much deeper experience and connect well with my PI who is actually giving me a letter of rec. I’m also really thankful that I got the opportunity to work in a real lab with postdocs without paying the hefty price that often comes with summer programs. Being a part of this environment helped me really solidify the belief that research is something I want to continue through college and beyond. Not to mention, I got to meet a lot of really cool people.

Do you have an idea of what you want to study in college and how did you decide upon that?

I’m planning on studying Human Biology in college since I eventually plan on becoming a pediatrician. I’m also applying to plenty BS/MD programs to help accelerate my journey through college and med school. I decided I wanted to be a doctor when I was 8. Both my parents are doctors and when my grandpa lost his leg, I observed the team of doctors helping him and realized medicine was a way for me to make genuine impact on the lives of people. I’ve always loved working with kids, especially because of my younger brother and cousins, so becoming a pediatrician just kind of logically followed.

You mentioned you’re interested in BS/MD Programs. Tell us a little bit more about what a BS/MD Program is and what it takes to get into one.

BS/MD programs essentially allow high school seniors to gain acceptance to both an undergrad school and a medical school. Usually the time you spend in school is reduced to 7 years and most of the time, there’s no need for you to take the MCAT. As for what it takes to get in, BS/MD programs are typically extremely competitive. At most schools, they accept anywhere from 5 to 20 students, sometimes a bit more in larger programs. For this reason it’s absolutely necessary to demonstrate real commitment to the field of medicine through your ECs and engage heavily in things like research, shadowing, and volunteering in order to craft a cohesive application. It goes without saying that maintaining great grades is also necessary.

When you write essays and put together an application, what are some strategies you use, especially in your writing, to make sure that everything comes together to tell a cohesive story?

Because I’ve know what I want to do since the beginning of high school, I’ve been very intentional about making sure that all my ECs are relevant and come together nicely, and that definitely makes my job a lot easier. I would say my essays are a lot more focused on who I am as a person rather than just regurgitating my activities list. AOs really do care about who you are so I try to make sure it comes across in my writing. In terms of specific essays I need to write to gain admission to the school of medicine, I try to talk specifically about what traits would make me a good doctor while still keeping my writing interesting and easy to read.

LINK LOUNGE
Yesterday’s Resources & Scholarships

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

Davidson Scholars - Support, resources, and scholarships for gifted and accomplished students under 18.

Wyzant - High quality private tutoring for a reasonable price.

Robertson Scholars Program - Full-ride scholarship to Duke or UNC, if you get into either school

College Confidential - Anonymous data on college applications from other students

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Good luck on the October SAT!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

October SAT: Saturday, October 5
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Have an idea for the newsletter?

Is there a question you’ve been dying to have answered related to college admissions? Or, is there something just nagging you about Scholar Scoops that you want to see fixed soon? We want to hear from you. You can submit feedback at https://forms.gle/7Rj2eBCiauEc5oNV8. Thank you so much!