G-town seems like it has the more established program but the linkage is pretty weak. my roomate went last year, got a 3.87, interviewed at gtown but did not get accepted (but drexel came through for him). he said the people who matriculated from smp into gtown were all >3.9. anyone know if this is accurate? input from past smp'ers would be appreciated. are u granted advanced MS1 status if u do matriculate?

i dont want to potentially bust my ass at gtown and have one B ruin my chance at acceptance. RF's AP seems more like a sure bet, but the program isnt as widely recognized and u'll most likely just end up at chicago...which isnt necessarily negative but i dont know how campus life is at RF- does anyone know? oh, and are u actually in class with the med students at RF or is it a video taping like at drexel's IMS program?

seems like u gotta have pretty big balls to choose SMP over AP considering u have to get a 4.0 vs a 3.0 respectively. i know smp is cheaper and will probably open more doors for u at other schools, but its still a risk. anyone out there debating SMP vs AP vs IMS?

G-town seems like it has the more established program but the linkage is pretty weak. my roomate went last year, got a 3.87, interviewed at gtown but did not get accepted (but drexel came through for him). he said the people who matriculated from smp into gtown were all >3.9. anyone know if this is accurate? input from past smp'ers would be appreciated. are u granted advanced MS1 status if u do matriculate?

i dont want to potentially bust my ass at gtown and have one B ruin my chance at acceptance. RF's AP seems more like a sure bet, but the program isnt as widely recognized and u'll most likely just end up at chicago...which isnt necessarily negative but i dont know how campus life is at RF- does anyone know? oh, and are u actually in class with the med students at RF or is it a video taping like at drexel's IMS program?

seems like u gotta have pretty big balls to choose SMP over AP considering u have to get a 4.0 vs a 3.0 respectively. i know smp is cheaper and will probably open more doors for u at other schools, but its still a risk. anyone out there debating SMP vs AP vs IMS?

Wow 45 views no responses...well I personally am looking into RF's program more in depth than Georgetown. I really just want to get into any allopathic medical school and also not take a year off. My stats are decent (3.4/30). I will probably apply to other schools while in the program, but I don’t see myself going to Georgetown because it does seem like you do have to get around a 3.75 just to be looked at by other schools, such as the 2 jersey and Drexel medical school. I know I can work hard, but how hard would I have to work @ Georgetown, I don't know. I spoke to many Georgetown alumni and find as if they are working their asses off and they seem as if the program will not help them as much as each student would like it to. I don't need the added pressure of losing 50 grand, no thanks. I would rather just go to Rosalind Franklin and be able to concentrate and study hard knowing that all I have to get is a 3.0 and I am in. Also, knowing that if I do pass and am able to go on the following year at Rosalind Franklin I will have an easy first year (MS1a) is also a plus. I don’t believe the credits transfer over to Georgetown not too sure. So that’s my .02 cents.
Good luck with the decision, but I am most likely going to Rosalind Franklin unless something miraculous happens.

Wow 45 views no responses...well I personally am looking into RF's program more in depth than Georgetown. I really just want to get into any allopathic medical school and also not take a year off. My stats are decent (3.4/30). I will probably apply to other schools while in the program, but I don’t see myself going to Georgetown because it does seem like you do have to get around a 3.75 just to be looked at by other schools, such as the 2 jersey and Drexel medical school. I know I can work hard, but how hard would I have to work @ Georgetown, I don't know. I spoke to many Georgetown alumni and find as if they are working their asses off and they seem as if the program will not help them as much as each student would like it to. I don't need the added pressure of losing 50 grand, no thanks. I would rather just go to Rosalind Franklin and be able to concentrate and study hard knowing that all I have to get is a 3.0 and I am in. Also, knowing that if I do pass and am able to go on the following year at Rosalind Franklin I will have an easy first year (MS1a) is also a plus. I don’t believe the credits transfer over to Georgetown not too sure. So that’s my .02 cents.
Good luck with the decision, but I am most likely going to Rosalind Franklin unless something miraculous happens.


Well there are several misconceptions that you've listed here:

1. You do not need a 3.75 in the SMP to get into Georgetown med, or any other medical school. Obviously the better you do, the more it will help, but really the magic number seems to be a 3.5. However, many people get into a school with a 3.1 or 3.2 in the SMP. It is a challenging program, and medical schools know this. Getting a 3.0 is like getting a pass in all of the medical school classes, so that still means that you can do the work at a level equivalent to the medical school class.

2. The classes do carry over to Georgetown med the next year. I think you just take gross anatomy, a medical ethics class, and maybe one or two others, and then you can either do research, TA (and get paid) for the other classes or take undergrad classes. I recently learned that GW and Drexel will give you credit for Georgetown's Histology (Microscopic anatomy) class if you end up going there. Drexel might actually give credit for other classes too, but I'm not sure.

3. (to the OP) There are people at Georgetown med now ("ex-physios) who I know had less than a 3.8. They told us that they usually interview about half of the SMP class (which would be about 80 people), which means that people with a 3.4 or over usually get an interview. The SMP interviews are conducted in April, after the regular season is over, and they are blind. Doing better may help some, but once you get to the interview stage, then it's more about who would fit in well at Georgetown and wants to go there.

So, it's NOT just a ranking system where the top 30 students in the class get in, and that's it. Rather you have to do well (3.4ish or better) and then impress your interviewer. However, like I mentioned, students do get in with less than a 3.4 to other medical schools and there are cases where people do well and still don't get in the first year, but by the end 85% do get in. 55%+ get in the first year.

So yes, Rosalind Franklin's AP is more of a guarantee. I chose the SMP over it though, and I guess only time will tell if I made the right decision! :)

i know this is a post on GUSMP and RFU but you should also consider BU MAMS program. about 33% of the GMS class gets into the medschool (not a bad #, considering the class size usually runs around 150ish). it's been around for a while, so many medschools are familiar with it. i opted to go to bu vs drexel, mainly b/c of this, but i've also heard many good things about drexel. it's whatever rocks your boat, i guess.

well I personally am looking into RF's program more in depth than Georgetown.

so are u actually in class with the med students for the AP program? Does RF's campus have an undergraduate campus associated with it? I just saw the match list for RF on the allo forum and it does look pretty impressive.

about 33% of the GMS class gets into the medschool (not a bad #, considering the class size usually runs around 150ish).

I am guessing that GMS are what the Boston master students are called? what are the advantages of boston and drexel that put them at the top of ur list? it seems like drexel's linkage is similar to gtown's (not too great) and the program isnt as well known and u arent in class with the med students.

I think the AP students at RFU have to sit in a separate room from the other med students, at GT this is not the case. Also a 3.0 and above will likely get you an interview at the CMS after completing the RFU program, but its not guaranteed admission.

I think both are good programs. I ll probably apply to both. GT definitely has more stuff to do in your time off.

I am a current AP student at RFU and we do not have to sit in different classes


I think the AP students at RFU have to sit in a separate room from the other med students, at GT this is not the case. Also a 3.0 and above will likely get you an interview at the CMS after completing the RFU program, but its not guaranteed admission.

I think both are good programs. I ll probably apply to both. GT definitely has more stuff to do in your time off.

I think the AP students at RFU have to sit in a separate room from the other med students, at GT this is not the case. Also a 3.0 and above will likely get you an interview at the CMS after completing the RFU program, but its not guaranteed admission.

I think both are good programs. I ll probably apply to both. GT definitely has more stuff to do in your time off.

Somehow my other (RFUMS) CMS brethren are too busy to help so I will. I am currently a 4th yr and a former AP program person.

In the AP program at RFUMS you DO sit in the same room as the med students. Hell if you really want you can sit in between some of them and be graced with their magical bit of knowledge. Seriously though during your AP year you will take Physio, Biochem, Genetics, MCB, and I believe Develop Bio with the M1s. Beyond that while they are doing Anatomy and Intro to clinical Medicine you will take Applied Physiology and some other classes as well. go to http://66.99.255.20/schedule/ you can see what classes the M1s take and the APs. Anything that overlaps is the same class and you DO NOT have to repeat it once you get in.

Also a 3.0 and above will likely get you an interview at the CMS after completing the RFU program, but its not guaranteed admission. :laugh: Where in gods name do you guys get this stuff? EVERY and I do mean EVERY person who is in the AP program gets an interview. Here is the kicker you dont even need to have applied to get the interview. You DO need to apply to get in though.. As far as what a 3.0 gets you.. It DOES get you into med school over the past 5 or so yrs. NOT a SINGLE individual who achieved this 3.0 was denied admission. Some people do go elsewhere but most stay. They USED to guarantee it but some dude had the personality of sandpaper so they rejected him and got into some trouble over that. THEREFORE, they NO LONGER provide verbal or written guarantees but they still practice this. As far as GTown, the program does have some benefits (I didnt apply) but you are in the middle of a city and the school has a better rep. If you have more Qs PM me, but I am quite busy with the whole residency app process I should get back to you in 1 week or so.

so are u actually in class with the med students for the AP program? Does RF's campus have an undergraduate campus associated with it? I just saw the match list for RF on the allo forum and it does look pretty impressive.

No undergrad there. But we do have some hot PAs running around campus, also there is the Podiatry school there.

No undergrad there. But we do have some hot PAs running around campus, also there is the Podiatry school there.

Nursing school?

No nursing school. Podiatry, PAs, PTs, MDs, and PhDs.

about georgetown smp - you DEFINITELY DO NOT need a 3.9 to get into georgetown med. i think about 60 or so physios were interviewed last year and they ended up taking around 30 or so (i think that was more than previous years). i was a physio last year and i certainly know people who got into gu med with a lot less than 3.9 or 3.8. in our class, i think people with 3.4 and up (after physiology final grades) ended up getting interviews at gu med. although selection for interviews is highly based on smp gpa, that all changes post-interview. they specifically told us that gu med has rejected people who've finished the smp with a 4.0.

not many people finished with 3.9+, probably only a handful at most. i know a lot of people who finished around the 3.3 mark, and that's certainly good, considering we're taking med school courses. a 3.5 after the first year or especially after finishing the program will put you in a very good position for getting into medical schools. anyway, i'm available to answer questions about georgetown's program, as always. good luck, guys.

Somehow my other (RFUMS) CMS brethren are too busy to help so I will. I am currently a 4th yr and a former AP program person.

I know the smp'ers are a very close-knit group from my roomate who went there. they studied together and partied together and were pretty cohesive as a whole. was your experience similar when u were an AP student?

what did u do during your MS1A year? do most MS1A students research? volunteer? find a job? study for boards? i would love to TA but there is no undergraduate programs there so i guess thats out of the question. i am guessing you arent allowed to take some MS2 courses?

not many people finished with 3.9+, probably only a handful at most. i know a lot of people who finished around the 3.3 mark, and that's certainly good, considering we're taking med school courses. a 3.5 after the first year or especially after finishing the program will put you in a very good position for getting into medical schools. anyway, i'm available to answer questions about georgetown's program, as always. good luck, guys.

I am guessing gtown isnt pass/fail but A,B,C,D,F? or is there a non-letter grade way to calculate gpa? same question for RFU.

and thanks everyone btw for all your detailed answers.

G-town SMP is A, B, C, F. The medical school has the H (top 10), HP (next 20), P (down to two standard divations below the mean), F. SMP grades are not calcualted into the curve (ie you arent competing against your fellow SMPers for grades). An A coresponds to an H, A-/B+ split the HP range and P=B until you get really close to the bottom where B-/C are. The graduate classes have a much more generous (and usually static) curve.

I hardly post now here that often since I started SMP, but I can say for sure that the program is REALLY difficult. Not that the material is difficult, but it is really intense the way people say it is famous for. While the program people says you have to study at least 5 hours a day, I don't think it's accurate. It might help you pass the courses, but if you want to earn the high GPAs you need, you have to study 10 hours at least on average a day.

About last year, yeah, last year they took 30 people, but I hear that to get an interview, you have to have 3.50 GPA for the program (SMP people gets separate interview slots than regular applicants). But the good news is that people who try hard in GU are supposed to get into at least one medical school somewhere, though maybe not necessarily where you want to end up in...

What undergrad GPA and MCAT score do you need to get into the RFU SMP?

SMP grades are not calcualted into the curve (ie you arent competing against your fellow SMPers for grades).

Thank fricking god. all those driven smp'ers useing their second chance to the fullest would be a damn scary sight if they were competing against one another. no wonder everyone is helpful and cooperative with each other.

I hardly post now here that often since I started SMP, but I can say for sure that the program is REALLY difficult. Not that the material is difficult, but it is really intense the way people say it is famous for. While the program people says you have to study at least 5 hours a day, I don't think it's accurate. It might help you pass the courses, but if you want to earn the high GPAs you need, you have to study 10 hours at least on average a day.

About last year, yeah, last year they took 30 people, but I hear that to get an interview, you have to have 3.50 GPA for the program (SMP people gets separate interview slots than regular applicants). But the good news is that people who try hard in GU are supposed to get into at least one medical school somewhere, though maybe not necessarily where you want to end up in...

some people who interviewed at georgetown med last year had below 3.5. that's just what they tell you to shoot for. also, the 10 hours a day is way too much studying - you'll be burnt out before you even get to physiology (and, believe me, first semester is a breeze compared to second semester). the key is learning how to study the best way - it takes time. once you figure it out, i'll bet 5 hours a day will be more than enough. good luck.

Does anyone know when you can first start applying to the Gtown and RFU smp?

Does anyone know when you can first start applying to the Gtown and RFU smp?

I believe you start applying in january. Yea could some people go over the stats again? My friend was kinda wondering if he had a chance also and the search function is disabled so...
if you can just write what program you went or are going to and what your stats were...
gpa/science gpa/mcat

Thanks

I believe you start applying in january. Yea could some people go over the stats again? My friend was kinda wondering if he had a chance also and the search function is disabled so...
if you can just write what program you went or are going to and what your stats were...
gpa/science gpa/mcat

Thanks

John, it would probably be simpler for your friend (or you, in his stead) to post his stats and we can tell you how he looks.

Or, conversely, you can go to the physio yahoo page. Dr. Myers, the program director, would be happy to answer those types of questions about the G-town SMP.

The link is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/physios/

is there a list of schools of which students ended up attending after finishing the program?

is there a list of schools of which students ended up attending after finishing the program?

http://www.georgetown.edu/departments/physiology/physios/prevclass.htm

dont know about RFU...

did the gtown smp last year, am in gtown med now. you need about a 3.5 to get a interview - I can corroborate the 60 interview invites tho. that 3.5 gets you nothing more than an interview. people who got in had around a 3.75 and up. acceptances went almost exclusively by grades. if you had over that and didn't get in, it's prolly cuz you made some enormous mistakes at the interview. i didn't do to hot in my interview, but still got in. there were a couple people with lower grades, but maybe they made a contribution to the school or sucked up appropriately. only a about 8-10 people had a 3.9+ by the end of the year (some kid i know made a spreadsheet of everyone's grades). if you pick gtown smp and you wanna go to gtown med, you should be absolutely certain that you underachieved in undergrad. it's a great program otherwise, and you gotta like the area over north chicago. gtown def has more upside, but it's a big risk. chicago med is a very underrated med school tho, i really liked it when i interviewed there. that being said, I am very, very happy that I chose gtown.

I would go with RFU hands down. It is definitely more of a sure thing. Why take a chance?

I would go with RFU hands down. It is definitely more of a sure thing. Why take a chance?

how big is RFU's class anyway for the postbac program, and is it hard to get in?

The class is around 85, it has gotten more competetive but I dont know hard numbers. That being said if you are mildly competetive for med school you should be able to get in.

The class is around 85, it has gotten more competetive but I dont know hard numbers. That being said if you are mildly competetive for med school you should be able to get in.

i mean also, what about MCATs?

I have a 27 on my MCATs and I don't want to retake it.

If I get into RFU for postbac, do I really have to reatake MCAT since it is essentially guaranteed that I will get into their med school ??

i mean also, what about MCATs?

I have a 27 on my MCATs and I don't want to retake it.

If I get into RFU for postbac, do I really have to reatake MCAT since it is essentially guaranteed that I will get into their med school ??

i would just go with the numbers from gtown smp, since the people who go there are on the same boat as the students at RFU's AP. I think the mcat average for matriculated smp students is 28.5. of course the higher your gpa, the lower your mcat can be. i say if u have above a 3.5, u should be ok with your 27... i am guessing.

i would just go with the numbers from gtown smp, since the people who go there are on the same boat as the students at RFU's AP. I think the mcat average for matriculated smp students is 28.5. of course the higher your gpa, the lower your mcat can be. i say if u have above a 3.5, u should be ok with your 27... i am guessing.

The average GPA and MCAT for this year's SMP class is a 3.3 and a 30. However, like you said, people might have a higher MCAT and lower GPA or vice versa. This is just the average. I'm not sure what the averages are for the AP.

out of the 80 people in the AP porgram, does anyone know the breakdown of people who get a 3.0 and those that end up matriculating into RFU? just interested in how many ppl end up doing MS1 elsewhere. how big is their the MS1 incoming class anyways? it seems that a lot of MS1 spots would be filled by the AP students.

and it seems that everyone on the forums (especially me) tosses around the 3.0 like its automatic. how hard is it to maintain the 3.0 anyways?

out of the 80 people in the AP porgram, does anyone know the breakdown of people who get a 3.0 and those that end up matriculating into RFU? just interested in how many ppl end up doing MS1 elsewhere. how big is their the MS1 incoming class anyways? it seems that a lot of MS1 spots would be filled by the AP students.

and it seems that everyone on the forums (especially me) tosses around the 3.0 like its automatic. how hard is it to maintain the 3.0 anyways?

Out of the 85 some people drop out early due to late acceptances to MD school or DO school. Then I would estimate that another 5-7 drop out after the 1st qtr cause they either couldnt hack it or didnt realize how much work was involed. So we will start with 75 or so. Out of that 75 I would estimate 50-55 got in, out of those about 7-10 got into other places, then about half of them actually left. The incoming class is about 180 at RFUMS.

The 3.0 isnt automatic and if you show up thinking that you will get your but handed to you. It is EXTREMELY doable but if you were so smart wouldnt you have gotten into a med school to start with? You need to show up and work. I would say 80% of people in the AP are either non-trad students or people who enjoyed themselves a little too much in college these people are the ones who make up the majority of those that get in. The other people who are tools usually cant hack it cause you assume they were tools in college and couldnt hack it there. Sorry for being so blunt about this.. Hope this answers your Qs.

Out of the 85 some people drop out early due to late acceptances to MD school or DO school. Then I would estimate that another 5-7 drop out after the 1st qtr cause they either couldnt hack it or didnt realize how much work was involed. So we will start with 75 or so. Out of that 75 I would estimate 50-55 got in, out of those about 7-10 got into other places, then about half of them actually left. The incoming class is about 180 at RFUMS.

The 3.0 isnt automatic and if you show up thinking that you will get your but handed to you. It is EXTREMELY doable but if you were so smart wouldnt you have gotten into a med school to start with? You need to show up and work. I would say 80% of people in the AP are either non-trad students or people who enjoyed themselves a little too much in college these people are the ones who make up the majority of those that get in. The other people who are tools usually cant hack it cause you assume they were tools in college and couldnt hack it there. Sorry for being so blunt about this.. Hope this answers your Qs.

Ectopic, you are the man! :laugh:

Out of the 85 some people drop out early due to late acceptances to MD school or DO school. Then I would estimate that another 5-7 drop out after the 1st qtr cause they either couldnt hack it or didnt realize how much work was involed. So we will start with 75 or so. Out of that 75 I would estimate 50-55 got in, out of those about 7-10 got into other places, then about half of them actually left. The incoming class is about 180 at RFUMS.

The 3.0 isnt automatic and if you show up thinking that you will get your but handed to you. It is EXTREMELY doable but if you were so smart wouldnt you have gotten into a med school to start with? You need to show up and work. I would say 80% of people in the AP are either non-trad students or people who enjoyed themselves a little too much in college these people are the ones who make up the majority of those that get in. The other people who are tools usually cant hack it cause you assume they were tools in college and couldnt hack it there. Sorry for being so blunt about this.. Hope this answers your Qs. Great info.
:thumbup:

Out of the 85 some people drop out early due to late acceptances to MD school or DO school. Then I would estimate that another 5-7 drop out after the 1st qtr cause they either couldnt hack it or didnt realize how much work was involed. So we will start with 75 or so. Out of that 75 I would estimate 50-55 got in, out of those about 7-10 got into other places, then about half of them actually left. The incoming class is about 180 at RFUMS.

The 3.0 isnt automatic and if you show up thinking that you will get your but handed to you. It is EXTREMELY doable but if you were so smart wouldnt you have gotten into a med school to start with? You need to show up and work. I would say 80% of people in the AP are either non-trad students or people who enjoyed themselves a little too much in college these people are the ones who make up the majority of those that get in. The other people who are tools usually cant hack it cause you assume they were tools in college and couldnt hack it there. Sorry for being so blunt about this.. Hope this answers your Qs.

:thumbup:

<---Takes a bow for cutting out the BS and telling it how it is..

As always people any specific Qs PM me...Just dealing with a little post EtOH syndrome s/p Step 2 CK.. (9 freaking hours people.., but the beer tasted extra good!!)

What undergrad GPA and MCAT score do you need to get into the RFU SMP?

The lowest GPA that I know of was about a 2.8 with an engineering major. I forget what his MCAT was, but I'm sure it was in the 30's.

out of the 80 people in the AP porgram, does anyone know the breakdown of people who get a 3.0 and those that end up matriculating into RFU? just interested in how many ppl end up doing MS1 elsewhere. how big is their the MS1 incoming class anyways? it seems that a lot of MS1 spots would be filled by the AP students.

and it seems that everyone on the forums (especially me) tosses around the 3.0 like its automatic. how hard is it to maintain the 3.0 anyways?

Last year, everyone who finished with a GPA higher than a 3.0 was offered a position into the school. I believe their class started with just under 100 people and I think about 60-70 or so completed the program with a 3.0 or better. Our class (fellow AP, right?) should work out to be about the same.

Sorry I am an MS4.. but i did roll through the AP.. yeah historically 2/3s make it..

The lowest GPA that I know of was about a 2.8 with an engineering major. I forget what his MCAT was, but I'm sure it was in the 30's.



Last year, everyone who finished with a GPA higher than a 3.0 was offered a position into the school. I believe their class started with just under 100 people and I think about 60-70 or so completed the program with a 3.0 or better. Our class (fellow AP, right?) should work out to be about the same.

Do they enroll 100 people because that is there max limit, or is that just as many people as they saw as a good fit in their program? What is probably the max number of people that they may admit? How many people apply to the program?

2/3? 60-70 out of 100?

D'em 'der is good odds!

:thumbup: :meanie:

Do they enroll 100 people because that is there max limit, or is that just as many people as they saw as a good fit in their program? What is probably the max number of people that they may admit? How many people apply to the program?

They have a cap on the number. It used to be 60 then bumped to 85 then to about 100. One of the reasons I think (disclaimer) is that most people who roll through the AP are very motivated. I think that the average Step 1 is higher for APs than non APs. Of course some people have been weeded out. One of my friends who did the AP with me has a 4.0 never gotten a B.. And the dude knows how to party..From what I hear they have ~ 300 apply of course a number of those people get into med school. One of my buddies got his AP acceptance late and was ready to do it, then the next day he got into the Med school at CMS.. Just something to think of. I would imagine 75% of the people that want to go there (didnt get into md school) get in. But thats just me talking out my butt without any real knowledge.. :p

Sorry I am an MS4.. but i did roll through the AP.. yeah historically 2/3s make it..

what did u and other AP'ers do during ur MS1A year? i know research is an option. is it hard to get involved in research at RF? do people just end up studying in advance for the boards?

My advisor told me about RFU program numbers. In Fall03, 83 students got in the program, 62 of them got into the medschool, and the rest got into other medschools. She even told me that she heard of a student that got into Yale afterwards.

Did anyone hear about Barry Universtiy postbac in Florida?

Thank you

My advisor told me about RFU program numbers. In Fall03, 83 students got in the program, 62 of them got into the medschool, and the rest got into other medschools. She even told me that she heard of a student that got into Yale afterwards.

Did anyone hear about Barry Universtiy postbac in Florida?

Thank you

I think you should call RFU and confirm that information

The other question you should ask is where the number 83 comes from, because I bet it is the number of people who graduated, not marticulated into the program. You should ask what their class amount is to medical school accpetance numbers are.

heres my take on the gt smp; i finished with a 3.5 in the SMP and had 2 interviews last year, one at GT itself and the other at U. Vermont and got waitlisted at both. You def dont need a 3.9+ to get accepted but those were the first people to get accepted by GT but later on, they definitely accept people with gpa's that were >3.9. 3.5 is the magic number after the first semester...everyone i knew who had 3.5+ after the first semester got interviews at drexel, nymc and slu. Of the 8 other people I knew, only 1 did not get accepted that year. This year, my friend who didnt get, just finished his apps this late and already has interviews at drexel and SUNY upstate (out of stater too). Of the other 7 friends of mine, one went to Keck (USC), one went to U.C Irvine, and another to Wake Forest. Personally, I think that the SMP was one thing everyone needed to make that step from premed to med student...i would say that between my friends and myself, our average MCAT wouldve been a 31 and science gpa of 3.3. A definite plus was that the directors really work hard to get you in and actually care about their students. I had a great time at GT and would recommend the program to anyone. As for RFU, I have heard that anyone with a 2.95+ GPA gets in but the program doesnt really help for other schools.

Good luck!

heres my take on the gt smp; i finished with a 3.5 in the SMP and had 2 interviews last year, one at GT itself and the other at U. Vermont and got waitlisted at both. You def dont need a 3.9+ to get accepted but those were the first people to get accepted by GT but later on, they definitely accept people with gpa's that were >3.9. 3.5 is the magic number after the first semester...everyone i knew who had 3.5+ after the first semester got interviews at drexel, nymc and slu. Of the 8 other people I knew, only 1 did not get accepted that year. This year, my friend who didnt get, just finished his apps this late and already has interviews at drexel and SUNY upstate (out of stater too). Of the other 7 friends of mine, one went to Keck (USC), one went to U.C Irvine, and another to Wake Forest. Personally, I think that the SMP was one thing everyone needed to make that step from premed to med student...i would say that between my friends and myself, our average MCAT wouldve been a 31 and science gpa of 3.3. A definite plus was that the directors really work hard to get you in and actually care about their students. I had a great time at GT and would recommend the program to anyone. As for RFU, I have heard that anyone with a 2.95+ GPA gets in but the program doesnt really help for other schools.

Good luck!

What % of SMP'ers get above a 3.5? It seems like the majority do, yet this seems impossible.

What % of SMP'ers get above a 3.5? It seems like the majority do, yet this seems impossible.

Well I'm not sure how many get that, but the reason why everybody can do well is because you are not competing against each other. You are graded against the medical school mean (without being included into it), so if everybody in the SMP does as well as the top 10% of medical students, then everyone gets an A (naturally, that doesn't actually happen, but it's possible). For the non-medical school courses you take, they're on a fixed scale, so everyone can get an A in there too. In the microbiology class we just finished, 90% of the class got an A or A-. It wasn't an easy A, it was just that if you put in the work, you can all earn a good grade. They know that by this point the people that normally make up a standard curve have been weeded out. You can still fail though if you don't study, but you can all do well if you do study. :)

Oh, and people get into incredible schools from the SMP too. There has been at least one person who got into UPenn in the recent past, and several got into a UC (Davis, Irvine and San Diego).

Well I'm not sure how many get that, but the reason why everybody can do well is because you are not competing against each other. You are graded against the medical school mean (without being included into it), so if everybody in the SMP does as well as the top 10% of medical students, then everyone gets an A (naturally, that doesn't actually happen, but it's possible). For the non-medical school courses you take, they're on a fixed scale, so everyone can get an A in there too. In the microbiology class we just finished, 90% of the class got an A or A-. It wasn't an easy A, it was just that if you put in the work, you can all earn a good grade. They know that by this point the people that normally make up a standard curve have been weeded out. You can still fail though if you don't study, but you can all do well if you do study. :)

Oh, and people get into incredible schools from the SMP too. There has been at least one person who got into UPenn in the recent past, and several got into a UC (Davis, Irvine and San Diego).

I have researched the SMP pretty well because its looking more and more like if I really want to go to med school I would have to do it. On the SMP website unfortunately they only have medical schools matriculated to by the 2002 class as the latest. ALthough alot of people wound up at G-town and other good schools, half also wound up D.O., or Caribbean it seemed. How many hours a week do you study? How is it possible that everyone in the SMP gets A's when that means they have to match the top 10% of the g-town class which I am sure is competitive? Do most schools you apply to during this yr wait for your SMP grades before possibly rejecting you?

I have researched the SMP pretty well because its looking more and more like if I really want to go to med school I would have to do it. On the SMP website unfortunately they only have medical schools matriculated to by the 2002 class as the latest. ALthough alot of people wound up at G-town and other good schools, half also wound up D.O., or Caribbean it seemed. How many hours a week do you study? How is it possible that everyone in the SMP gets A's when that means they have to match the top 10% of the g-town class which I am sure is competitive? Do most schools you apply to during this yr wait for your SMP grades before possibly rejecting you?

Not everyone gets an A, the point I was trying to make is that they could, because you are not competing with each other. In the medical school classes you take (6 out of the 10 courses you take are with med students), you are graded against their curve. The point here is to prove you can do equal (B- or B) or better (B+, A- or A) than the medical student mean, and thus can handle being in medical school. Several people did fail the Embryology class we've had, but most people scored well enough to get a "pass" (which = a B for your GPA) or better. Some medical students failed too for that matter, and I believe an SMPer did get the high score. I think the thing is with these classes is that you have to learn a lot of information, but it is not all that difficult, there's just lots of it to know.

In the other four courses, the graduate ones that is, the classes is graded on a fixed scale. It is not a give away (our class had the highest of any apparently for that one class I mentioned), so don't think it's an easy A, but everyone can do well if they study and are motivated (which almost everybody here is).

When Georgetown says 55% get in the first year, and a total of 85% get in by the second year, they mean to a U.S. allopathic medical school. The other 15% either get in later still, fail out of the program, decide to do something else entirely, and some do go to a D.O. school. So the vast majority do get into a U.S. allopathic school.

so you guys really think that if you attend rosalind it wont help you to get in somewhere else? i think its nice to have a resonable guarantee at RF but it will be nicer to know you have a shot at better school.

so you guys really think that if you attend rosalind it wont help you to get in somewhere else? i think its nice to have a resonable guarantee at RF but it will be nicer to know you have a shot at better school.

Well some people do get into other places from there, and while it doesn't have the best reputation (at least among pre-meds) they do have a great match list.

I think either program is a good choice. Georgetown does have a better track record with other medical schools though.

Don't GW and NYMC have a tendency to take a lot of GT SMPs students the next year also?

G-town seems like it has the more established program but the linkage is pretty weak. my roomate went last year, got a 3.87, interviewed at gtown but did not get accepted (but drexel came through for him). he said the people who matriculated from smp into gtown were all >3.9. anyone know if this is accurate? input from past smp'ers would be appreciated. are u granted advanced MS1 status if u do matriculate?

i dont want to potentially bust my ass at gtown and have one B ruin my chance at acceptance. RF's AP seems more like a sure bet, but the program isnt as widely recognized and u'll most likely just end up at chicago...which isnt necessarily negative but i dont know how campus life is at RF- does anyone know? oh, and are u actually in class with the med students at RF or is it a video taping like at drexel's IMS program?

seems like u gotta have pretty big balls to choose SMP over AP considering u have to get a 4.0 vs a 3.0 respectively. i know smp is cheaper and will probably open more doors for u at other schools, but its still a risk. anyone out there debating SMP vs AP vs IMS?

How about checking out other programs? Loyola's Master of Arts in Medical Sciences program guarantees an interview at their medical school with 3.5 GPA in their program and 28 MCAT.

How about checking out other programs? Loyola's Master of Arts in Medical Sciences program guarantees an interview at their medical school with 3.5 GPA in their program and 28 MCAT.

Would the interview be while ur in the program or after its completion? Glide year?

Don't GW and NYMC have a tendency to take a lot of GT SMPs students the next year also?

Both of those schools (along with Drexel, SLU, Creighton, Tulane and several state schools) tend to take several SMPers each year. It is not a guarantee however.

As to your question about Loyola's program, there is a glide year with that one.

Both of those schools (along with Drexel, SLU, Creighton, Tulane and several state schools) tend to take several SMPers each year. It is not a guarantee however.

As to your question about Loyola's program, there is a glide year with that one.


Hey Tacrum. Thats why I am confused. If 85% of people in the SMP get into an allopathic school , it would seem like everyone must do very well in the program. Or is it that even people who only get a 3.0 in the program get in allopathic schools? What would you say is the minimum gpa one can have to get into allopathic schools successfuly? Before I asked if most schools know you are in the SMP, do they wait until the spring after you have one semester of grades, to make their decisions about interviews?

How about checking out other programs? Loyola's Master of Arts in Medical Sciences program guarantees an interview at their medical school with 3.5 GPA in their program and 28 MCAT.

i dont think u take medical school courses in that program if i remember correctly. thats what i am really after- proving my ability against medical students.

for those of u who are considering applying to these programs, i am curious about ur undergrad performances. are most of u guys non trads or need to make up for a poor undergrad grades. did u guys party too much? didnt realize u wanted to go to medical shool until your last years?

i am guessing we all pretty much underachieved and now are out to prove our academic abilities with a vengence. sounds like we are all gonna be gunners during smp. exciting

for those of u who are considering applying to these programs, i am curious about ur undergrad performances. are most of u guys non trads or need to make up for a poor undergrad grades. did u guys party too much? didnt realize u wanted to go to medical shool until your last years?

i am guessing we all pretty much underachieved and now are out to prove our academic abilities with a vengence. sounds like we are all gonna be gunners during smp. exciting

Nope. Went to a top school, and graduated with a 3.54 and got a 31 on the MCAT..... worked my azz off at a school notorious for deflation and graduated with a 3.8 in biology. SO not a slacker here at all. I wont be a gunner at SMP, since everyone can do well. Well not competitive with other SMPers but perhaps the medical students. Assuming I dont get into somewhere and i got accepted into the SMP (i dont assume anything at this point)....

Don't GW and NYMC have a tendency to take a lot of GT SMPs students the next year also?

As Tacrum mentioned, the schools that are most receptive to Georgetown SMP are NYMC, Drexel, GWU, and SLU. In this year's class at NYMC, I'm pretty sure there are over 10 physios from last years class, and in this year's first year class at Drexel, I believe there are about 7 or 8 physios from our class last year. There are two physios from our class in this year's first year class at GW. That being said, the schools that seem to take the most (aside from Georgetown Med) are NYMC and Drexel. I hadn't heard about many people getting into Tulane or Creighton, but that could be. I think there are also 3 or 4 physios from my class who are currently in Wake Forest Med's first year class. Keep in mind though, it's never guaranteed that a certain number or physios will be interviewed or accepted each year at any of these schools.

Before I asked if most schools know you are in the SMP, do they wait until the spring after you have one semester of grades, to make their decisions about interviews?

One of the first things that the SMP coordinators do is to send out a generic letter to all your designated schools explaining that you are enrolled in the program and what exactly the program is. While, most schools will wait until after the first semester grades are available, several people will end up receiving interviews and even acceptances before first semester grades. Also, a lot of schools, unfortunately, still reject people before the first semester grades are available. The schools that are historically more receptive to SMP students (the ones mentioned above) tend to wait until the grades are out before inviting/rejecting physios. GW is an exception to this, of course - tacrum's interview serving as evidence.

hopefully that was helpful to some people. :thumbup:

Nope. Went to a top school, and graduated with a 3.54 and got a 31 on the MCAT..... worked my azz off at a school notorious for deflation and graduated with a 3.8 in biology. SO not a slacker here at all. I wont be a gunner at SMP, since everyone can do well. Well not competitive with other SMPers but perhaps the medical students. Assuming I dont get into somewhere and i got accepted into the SMP (i dont assume anything at this point)....

wow, with those numbers i am sure u will get in somewhere. did u get any interviews yet? where did u do ur undergrad?

Nope. Went to a top school, and graduated with a 3.54 and got a 31 on the MCAT..... worked my azz off at a school notorious for deflation and graduated with a 3.8 in biology. SO not a slacker here at all. I wont be a gunner at SMP, since everyone can do well. Well not competitive with other SMPers but perhaps the medical students. Assuming I dont get into somewhere and i got accepted into the SMP (i dont assume anything at this point)....

:confused: So why are you interested in the SMP? Your grades sound just fine.

And to answer your other question: Yes, people get into schools with below a 3.5 from the SMP. Dr. Myers (the program director) said that people have gotten into schools (not Georgetown though) with 3.2's. Not everyone has to get a 4.0. A 3.5 is still very good. A 3.0 will get you the M.S., but it might be too low to get into a school. I'm not exactly sure. Naturally, it is better to get as high a GPA as you can.

The other schools (the ones I previously mentioned) know about the SMP, and they send invites to people who they think are otherwise qualified (besides grades that is), and are doing well in the SMP the after the first semester.

Oh, and there aren't any gunners here (at least not that I've seen). The SMPers are all very supportive, because we really aren't competing against each other. Well at least until we get to the interview stage, but by then it's more about the non-numerical portions of your application, because you are all doing well enough in the SMP if you get invited to interview.

GW is an exception to this, of course - tacrum's interview serving as evidence.


Yeah. Actually a couple of people (2 others that I know of) have interviewed at GW already this year. I was quite surprised to get the invite when I did. I know that for NYMC, Drexel and SLU they wait until after the first semester. NYMC actually e-mailed to say they are waiting to hear about the grades before they make a decision.

And I didn't know people actually receive acceptances before the grades go out! If that happened for me, I think I would die of excitement, but in a good way...if that's possible. :)

Okay, I think tacrum needs to go study CMP now, and stop wasting time on SDN.

:confused: So why are you interested in the SMP? Your grades sound just fine.

And to answer your other question: Yes, people get into schools with below a 3.5 from the SMP. Dr. Myers (the program director) said that people have gotten into schools (not Georgetown though) with 3.2's. Not everyone has to get a 4.0. A 3.5 is still very good. A 3.0 will get you the M.S., but it might be too low to get into a school. I'm not exactly sure. Naturally, it is better to get as high a GPA as you can.

The other schools (the ones I previously mentioned) know about the SMP, and they send invites to people who they think are otherwise qualified (besides grades that is), and are doing well in the SMP the after the first semester.

Oh, and there aren't any gunners here (at least not that I've seen). The SMPers are all very supportive, because we really aren't competing against each other. Well at least until we get to the interview stage, but by then it's more about the non-numerical portions of your application, because you are all doing well enough in the SMP if you get invited to interview.

My interest is I want to go to med school more than anything. This is my second time applying. I went to Wake Forest University. Interviewed at SUNY-Buffalo (waitlist), NMYC (wont know until end of January but I loved the school) and have an interview at UNC. Rejected by alot of other schools and placed on hold which equals rejection at many others. I had a horrible first semester at my school (2.4). Graduated last august with a 3.54 and topped out my sneior yr where I took Microbiology, Biochem, Organic 2, American literature, and Bio Research for credit overload in one semester and got a 3.8 that semester. Yet not really getting much interview wise (I even got rejected by Drexel pre interview early). Need something to fall back on if NYMC doesnt come through. I know I could do well on the SMP, do they accept people with GPA's this high? or is that actually a problem?

My interest is I want to go to med school more than anything. This is my second time applying. I went to Wake Forest University. Interviewed at SUNY-Buffalo (waitlist), NMYC (wont know until end of January but I loved the school) and have an interview at UNC. Rejected by alot of other schools and placed on hold which equals rejection at many others. I had a horrible first semester at my school (2.4). Graduated last august with a 3.54 and topped out my sneior yr where I took Microbiology, Biochem, Organic 2, American literature, and Bio Research for credit overload in one semester and got a 3.8 that semester. Yet not really getting much interview wise (I even got rejected by Drexel pre interview early). Need something to fall back on if NYMC doesnt come through. I know I could do well on the SMP, do they accept people with GPA's this high? or is that actually a problem?

Well okay, just one more post. Really, I can stop whenever I want! :)

Having a higher GPA like that isn't going to hurt your chances, it's just that you probably will get in this year. If you don't have an acceptance by March or so, then maybe apply as a backup. There were actually several people who got accepted off of a waitlist right before the SMP started, and so they ended up going to medical school afterall.

i really want to go to downstate, i am from california. do you guys think either of the two programs will help me to get in? or downstate does not really care about the smps?
oh why did i not study in undergrad :(

i really want to go to downstate, i am from california. do you guys think either of the two programs will help me to get in? or downstate does not really care about the smps?
oh why did i not study in undergrad :(

downstate does look favorably upon smp grades. i was interviewed there (ny resident) after fall grades were released. i know of a few others who interviewed and i'm fairly certain that one was accepted. anyway, i can't possibly guess why you'd want to go to downstate if you're from l.a.?

i live here alone and i have worked 40+ hours in addition to full time school. have family there, where i can stay and they'll cook for me :)
is it that bad there?

got to love all the misinformation on this thread... :) ok, I am a current AP at RFU. Our class started out w/106 and by the end of the first week, was already down to I think just under 100 (mostly pple got taken off of med school waitlists). Everyone is guaranteed an interview. By AAMC regulations, the school must give out enough acceptances to fill the class by i think May 1st. Of the spots that open due to declined acceptances, which is usually more than adequate to cover the successful APs, those spots go to APs. As far as I know, the 3.0 thing still stands, though there are rumors that they are going to make admissions more competitive next year (aka so not affecting my class). APs do NOT factor into the curve. We Do sit with M1s in class. M1As can work, TA physiology, and/or take M2 electives. APs are really a great bunch of pple who work together to help eachother. Some pple do get into other med schools, but it is unlikely that u will get into a Cali state school. Btw, there a TON of APs and M1s from Cali (about 40% of the AP class are from Cali, maybe 35% or so from IL, and the rest random). don't know if i left anything out. if u have questions, PM me. I'll apologize in advance if I can't get back to u right away. 1 last thing--this is actually regarding G'towns SMP program. I applied to this program last year and did not get in, despite Ms. Cabiness telling me I should have no prob getting in. Anyhow, I think the program has sort of turned into a low GPA/high MCAT group. This year's stats were avg 3.4 GPA and 32 MCAT. Many pple had 35+ MCAT. Point being, u may want to think very carefully before throwing all your eggs into that basket, ie competing against pple who basically slacked in college but who know their stuff. Last piece of advice--if u do any of these programs, get your AMCAS and secondaries done before you start! Even if u get a 4.0 in these programs, but submit your AMCAS in October, u have probably shot yourself in the foot for other schools. Just my $.02 :)

got to love all the misinformation on this thread... :) ok, I am a current AP at RFU. Our class started out w/106 and by the end of the first week, was already down to I think just under 100 (mostly pple got taken off of med school waitlists). Everyone is guaranteed an interview. By AAMC regulations, the school must give out enough acceptances to fill the class by i think May 1st. Of the spots that open due to declined acceptances, which is usually more than adequate to cover the successful APs, those spots go to APs. As far as I know, the 3.0 thing still stands, though there are rumors that they are going to make admissions more competitive next year (aka so not affecting my class). APs do NOT factor into the curve. We Do sit with M1s in class. M1As can work, TA physiology, and/or take M2 electives. APs are really a great bunch of pple who work together to help eachother. Some pple do get into other med schools, but it is unlikely that u will get into a Cali state school. Btw, there a TON of APs and M1s from Cali (about 40% of the AP class are from Cali, maybe 35% or so from IL, and the rest random). don't know if i left anything out. if u have questions, PM me. I'll apologize in advance if I can't get back to u right away. 1 last thing--this is actually regarding G'towns SMP program. I applied to this program last year and did not get in, despite Ms. Cabiness telling me I should have no prob getting in. Anyhow, I think the program has sort of turned into a low GPA/high MCAT group. This year's stats were avg 3.4 GPA and 32 MCAT. Many pple had 35+ MCAT. Point being, u may want to think very carefully before throwing all your eggs into that basket, ie competing against pple who basically slacked in college but who know their stuff. Last piece of advice--if u do any of these programs, get your AMCAS and secondaries done before you start! Even if u get a 4.0 in these programs, but submit your AMCAS in October, u have probably shot yourself in the foot for other schools. Just my $.02 :)

You said taht they are thinking about making the cut off point for getting into the med school higher next year, do u know what the new cut off may be?

Also u mentioned that the avg stats were 3.4 and 32, is that for GT or for RFU?

I'm not really sure what they are doing to make it more competitive next year, whether that means a smaller class, higher GPA, or what. The 3.4 and 32 refer to G'town and NOT RFU. RFU is a little more varied for GPA and MCAT. hope that helps...

M1As can work, TA physiology, and/or take M2 electives.

TA physiolgy for the M1's i am guessing, since there are no undergrads at RF right? what were ur stats btw if u dont mind me asking.

for those of u who applied early to post bacs (ie right when the application came out (rfu-ap comes out at the beginning of december and smp in january) how long did it take before u got ur acceptance? i know they like to wait until june before handing out acceptances so that they can pick up all the rejected waitlisters, but what if u have good numbers-3.3/32? will u get an acceptance within 2 months? i've been searching the forums and all the "official acceptance threads for AP/SMP" seem to arise during june.

i am wondering because i am applying to DO schools this current cycle but i think i would rather do post bac. however i want to avoid the ridiculous deposit fees that some DO schools require- i dont want to pay $2000 for a seat at touro and end up going to a post bac, but at the same time i dont want to give up my seat at a DO school (if i get in) and end up getting rejected from AP/SMP.

for those of u who applied early to post bacs (ie right when the application came out (rfu-ap comes out at the beginning of december and smp in january) how long did it take before u got ur acceptance? i know they like to wait until june before handing out acceptances so that they can pick up all the rejected waitlisters, but what if u have good numbers-3.3/32? will u get an acceptance within 2 months? i've been searching the forums and all the "official acceptance threads for AP/SMP" seem to arise during june.

I was one of the first applicants and was accepted around late January, as I recall.

I was one of the first applicants and was accepted around late January, as I recall.

what were ur numbers if u dont mind sharing. if u applied to any other postbac programs, how fast were their response times? thanks!

I applied back in January with a 3.2 and a 32, I seem to remember getting my acceptance in mid to late Feburary.

what were ur numbers if u dont mind sharing. if u applied to any other postbac programs, how fast were their response times? thanks!

I have a 2.9 Undergrad and a 36 MCAT. I didn't apply to any other programs. This is the one I wanted to go to.

I have a 2.9 Undergrad and a 36 MCAT. I didn't apply to any other programs. This is the one I wanted to go to.

Wow thats a high mcat. Are you in the AP program this year? Or in past years?

Wow thats a high mcat. Are you in the AP program this year? Or in past years?

I is a current SMP student. :)

And you can be too: If you can answer this question correctly, you are ready, grasshopper.

During long periods of fasting, which pathway is thermodynamically favorable; glycolysis or gluconeogenesis?

PEACE AND WISDOM UNTO YOU.

LOL... wait until 4th yr.. and you just realize you could give 2 craps.. All you do is check your email q5mins.. Waiting for interviews to roll in..

Dr. Sherman would be proud

I is a current SMP student. :)

And you can be too: If you can answer this question correctly, you are ready, grasshopper.

During long periods of fasting, which pathway is thermodynamically favorable; glycolysis or gluconeogenesis?

PEACE AND WISDOM UNTO YOU.

Both!

...right?

Both!

...right?

ding ding ding ding

Both!

...right?

Heheh... I'll tell ya Friday at 3:01pm ;)

Heheh... I'll tell ya Friday at 3:01pm ;)

3:01pm in what timezone?

3:01pm in what timezone?

yes we should synchronize :thumbup:

Hi all...
I was told by Dr. Meyers that I might not have a chance to get into SMP at Georgetown :(
Anyways, is Rosalind Franklin as competitive to get in?
Thanks

Hi all...
I was told by Dr. Meyers that I might not have a chance to get into SMP at Georgetown :(
Anyways, is Rosalind Franklin as competitive to get in?
Thanks

Why did he say that? Was it bc of your stats?

i applied really early for the GT SMP (for the class of 2005) and i think i heard back in mid feb/early march. At the time I had a 30P and 3.35AO, 3.27BCPM.

for those of u who applied early to post bacs (ie right when the application came out (rfu-ap comes out at the beginning of december and smp in january) how long did it take before u got ur acceptance? i know they like to wait until june before handing out acceptances so that they can pick up all the rejected waitlisters, but what if u have good numbers-3.3/32? will u get an acceptance within 2 months? i've been searching the forums and all the "official acceptance threads for AP/SMP" seem to arise during june.

i am wondering because i am applying to DO schools this current cycle but i think i would rather do post bac. however i want to avoid the ridiculous deposit fees that some DO schools require- i dont want to pay $2000 for a seat at touro and end up going to a post bac, but at the same time i dont want to give up my seat at a DO school (if i get in) and end up getting rejected from AP/SMP.

It was my stats. He also mentioned that an average of 800 students apply! My stats are not bad, 3.0 and 31 MCATs but my grade trends gave off a red flag. I'm hoping RF is not as competitive.

It was my stats. He also mentioned that an average of 800 students apply! My stats are not bad, 3.0 and 31 MCATs but my grade trends gave off a red flag. I'm hoping RF is not as competitive.
what kind of trend do u speak of?

It was my stats. He also mentioned that an average of 800 students apply! My stats are not bad, 3.0 and 31 MCATs but my grade trends gave off a red flag. I'm hoping RF is not as competitive.

Yea my trends are kinda screwed up also. Frosh did ok, soph year did really bad, jr and 1st semester of senior year had close to straight As, and then last semester of senior year my grades went down again. :thumbdown

800 is a lot of peps, ouch
does anyone know how long the applicaitons are? like essays and stuff?
thanx

Hello,
Thank you for all of your posts. I've learned alot. I'm concerned about the glide year. Can someone from RFU or GT program give me info about the glide year? Thanks.

800 is a lot of peps, ouch
does anyone know how long the applicaitons are? like essays and stuff?
thanx

the application for GT isnt that bad...i remember it was longer than a secondary but didnt require an essay if you have your AMCAS finished. (basically, its really easy if you did your AMCAS for the year you apply)

Hello,
Thank you for all of your posts. I've learned alot. I'm concerned about the glide year. Can someone from RFU or GT program give me info about the glide year? Thanks.


at the GT SMP, a little over half (50-60%) didnt have a glide year as they were accepted into med school during the SMP. As for the glide year if you didnt get in, most people got a research or hospital job and volunteered. I didnt get a research or hospital job though...I'm working as a production assistant for a film company. As for the RFU program, I heard that most people who completed the program were accepted to RFU med so no glide year for them!

I is a current SMP student. :)

And you can be too: If you can answer this question correctly, you are ready, grasshopper.

During long periods of fasting, which pathway is thermodynamically favorable; glycolysis or gluconeogenesis?

PEACE AND WISDOM UNTO YOU.

just learned this in my human phys class.....Gluconeogenesis because during prolonged fasting the kidneys synthesize glucose from aminoacids to release it into the blood!!!!!!!!! :D

just learned this in my human phys class.....Gluconeogenesis because during prolonged fasting the kidneys synthesize glucose from aminoacids to release it into the blood!!!!!!!!! :D

But is it thermodynamically favorable or does it require an input of energy?

just learned this in my human phys class.....Gluconeogenesis because during prolonged fasting the kidneys synthesize glucose from aminoacids to release it into the blood!!!!!!!!! :D

Nope, actually they are both still thermodynamically favorable, it's just that both are regulated to turn off (well not totally, but close enough) one while the other is active. It is a trick question.

You are correct that glucose is synthesized from amino acids, but I think most of that takes place in the liver, not the kidneys.

I am guessing that GMS are what the Boston master students are called? what are the advantages of boston and drexel that put them at the top of ur list? it seems like drexel's linkage is similar to gtown's (not too great) and the program isnt as well known and u arent in class with the med students.

GMS means (division of) graduate medical sciences and includes masters and phd students in the basic sciences as well as those in the MAMS program...just 2 clarify (since i went 2 busm 4 grad school)

Very interesting information here. I didn't know anything about these AP/SMP programs. I have a question specifically about the Rosalind Franklin AP program.

You take a lot of school of medicine classes with the MS1 people in this program. If you get accepted to the MD program for the next year, do you have to re-take those classes for MD credit? Probably not, right? Are you classified as a MS2 upon enrollment? What about the couple of classes that AP students don't take with the MS1 students?
If you do get credit for the classes, and since you did not fully complete the MS1 curriculum, do you take some MS1 classes and some MS2 classes? I guess what I am basically wondering is: Does it take four years to get your MD from the very start of AP enrollment, or does it take 5?

This program is a great fail-safe. It almost seems like a conditional acceptance program. Like they are saying, "You are not quite there to be a fully accepted student into our MD program, but you are close!". If you pass all the med school classes, then the next year, we will fully admit you into our MD program. Then you can fail a class without worry of being kicked out of the program (j/k).

I am glad I know about this SDN forum, it rocks!

Very interesting information here. I didn't know anything about these AP/SMP programs. I have a question specifically about the Rosalind Franklin AP program.

You take a lot of school of medicine classes with the MS1 people in this program. If you get accepted to the MD program for the next year, do you have to re-take those classes for MD credit? Probably not, right? Are you classified as a MS2 upon enrollment? What about the couple of classes that AP students don't take with the MS1 students?
If you do get credit for the classes, and since you did not fully complete the MS1 curriculum, do you take some MS1 classes and some MS2 classes? I guess what I am basically wondering is: Does it take four years to get your MD from the very start of AP enrollment, or does it take 5?

This program is a great fail-safe. It almost seems like a conditional acceptance program. Like they are saying, "You are not quite there to be a fully accepted student into our MD program, but you are close!". If you pass all the med school classes, then the next year, we will fully admit you into our MD program. Then you can fail a class without worry of being kicked out of the program (j/k).

I am glad I know about this SDN forum, it rocks!

5 years to complete after the start of the AP program. You are not guaranteed a spot if you are accepted into the AP program. In the past you had to maintain a 3.0 gpa (not easy as I have heard from past APers) but i ve heard that starting next year that they are gonna make it harder to marticulate into the med school the following year, this was from unoffical sources so take it with a grain of salt.

I am currently an AP student
so here is the deal. 10 things about the program

1. It is VERY HARD to get a 3.0 in this program. The schedule is rough and we are on the same scale as the M1s----> 10 people or so fail MCB and are kicked out the first quarter......last year out of the 77 people who had a 3.0 till the last quarter only 66 made it in.....how sad?? 11 people stuck with it till the end and paid all that money....and missed it by one class......i know one guy who missed it by one question that gave him the C...and the prof/school would not budge :scared: :scared: :scared:
2. I have had some friends who had interviews at other schools (mainly UCs) and each one of them said that the interviewer said something negative about the AP program. Sometheing to effect that "well dont you think that you are at an advantage than everyone else?"
3. Our match list rocks but because we have the AP program the people who make it from the AP program contribute to the overall GPA and MCAT of the incoming class. For example last years averages were 3.45 and 29.5...which are good scores but you have to consider that the average gpa and mcat of an APer is about 3.2 and a 26-27. Therefore the actual gpa and mcat of the people coming straight from college is probably more like 3.7 and 31-32. Well the average of incoming M1s is the 3.45 and 29.5....and rankers like USNEWS think this is too low so they give us a low ranking....and then people think that the school sucks.....so then the administration gets mad and they want to do away with the AP program to bring the averages up.
4. Oh yeah and once again it is very difficult to get a 3.0....and the amount of stress that we are under. Every day (absolutely no joke!) I wake up thinking what if I dont make it......what will happen then?? Carribean?? DO??? what??....this is the worst feeling of all.
5. But if you can pull off 3.0....you worked ur ass off to get here and u totally deserve....just as much as the people who got in from college
6. M1A year....year inbetween AP and M2 year....is verrry chilll.....almost like a waste of a year....all you do is pretty much take two classes (12 units or so) per quarter....so there is lots of time for volunteer and research.....this can look great on ur application.
7. If you want to go to this school and not waste a year re-applying....this is the best program
8. Down fall----> 55K for school and living and books etc.---> HUGE RISK
9. Out of the 49 units of straight up hardcore bio units you need an OVERALL GPA of 3.0---> get an A in physiology (14 units) and you are pretty much in....this means that you have to get more than 14 units of Cs or fail a class to get kicked out----> not gonna happen!
10. This is a good program, although there are rumors that they are changing it next year----> but nothing is 100%


good luck....send me a message if u have questions

do they have rumors every year that they are going to change the Rosalind Franklin program? Also where was this source on that they said they are goingto change the style of the program?

Thanks

Hi all,

Hopefully this will clear up some rumours about the RF AP program. I sent them an email regarding all these rumours, and some additional questions, and here's the response I got (p.s. I omitted some personal questions that I asked them):
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Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Applied Physiology (AP) Program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS). As you may already be aware, the Applied Physiology Program is currently undergoing its annual review. During this review, a committee assesses all components of the program such as prerequisite test scores/gpa/materials, application form, application season timeline, program coursework and structure. Although it is possible that some of these items may be modified for 06-07, to date, there have been no changes made to the program, its tuition, curriculum or mode of course delivery. The statements you have presented are only rumor. Official notification of any changes to the program will be released by the Director of the Program or Office of Academic Affairs through official University channels.

With regard to the GPA and MCAT evaluation, applications are screened on their entire merit, not one specific area. While adequate preparation in these areas is ideal, items such as course selection, preparation in the sciences, grade trends and extracurricular/volunteer involvement is also taken into consideration. All international applicants are required to submit additional materials, as mandated by the Federal Government. These will be outlined in the application materials, upon release, and usually consist of items such as assessment of verbal/written skills, financial responsibility, and transcript conversion into American course equivalents (where applicable).

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to submit your contact information (address/phone/email) so that we can notify you as soon as information becomes available. We anticipate that this information will not be available until mid January at the earliest. If you have any further questions, please feel free to address them to my office.

Sincerely,
Caryn Wickersheim
Manager, Office of Graduate Admissions
M.D./Ph.D. Administrator
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
847 578-8601