- Joined
- Mar 30, 2011
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Hi, I was just accepted to this program and I wanted to get some info from those of you who have actually completed it. Anyone? I searched the threads but there is nothing.
I was in the program last year and am now a first year med student. The decision to do a postbacc came after a very unsuccessful first round of applying to med school. My stats were pretty similar to the program average (GPA a little lower, MCAT a little higher), but my major concern was that my academic profile was turning away schools. I had all the other checklist items (research, volunteering, leadership, etc.), but a bad first year of undergrad was really pulling me down. If your concern is helping your GPA and showing medical schools that you can handle the basic science material of medical school, then I think the program is great.
Pros: Small class size so you get to know everyone and can talk to the professors after almost every lecture. The material is basically first year med school slowed down which will give you a leg up wherever you go. The professional development stuff can be helpful with the application process (especially if you wait to apply until afterwards, I assume).
Cons: They have the guaranteed Loyola interview for the year after, but if you're applying the same year there is not a strong connection between the program and the admissions office (we had 32 total, ~16 applying, only 2 got interviews at Stritch). My two favorite professors seem to have retired from the program (going off of the website). One of them was the original program director and his replacement was one of the worst lecturers in the program (IMO). The mentorship from a faculty member is a bit exaggerated (I met with my mentor once during first semester and never again).
With regards to the educational experience and having a solid example of excelling with medical school caliber material I would definitely recommend the program. With the turnover after my year, I can't really speak to the administrative/overall feel of the program anymore.