Hi I was in MMS program and graduated this year. The first year of that program is the IMS curriculum and the second year is research and a second year med school course.
I would agree with the above sentiment of choosing a guaranteed program over a record-enhancing program like IMS. Please remember that the IMS is not a linkage program - it is a record enhancing program that happens to include affiliations. It's not meant to place you in DUCOM solely - it's meant to give you options and place you in a US medical school. And I hear the IMS program and its sister programs do a really good job of that - like 70% while in the program.
In regards to the affiliation agreement with DUCOM, about 16 people from all the programs(MBS, IMS, and MMS) this year are matriculating into DUCOM. That doesn't account for ALL students who were offered interviews - just the ones who are deciding to matriculate. Also you don't necessarily need to meet the guaranteed interview requirements to get an interview or admissions. I didn't meet the guaranteed interview stipulation and I got an interview and subsequently got in. I know a good number of people who also received non-guaranteed interviews. But something I've also noticed is that people who interview with DUCOM tend to end up on the waitlist and don't get off til like May or so. And a good number of those on the waitlist get in.
In regards to the rigor, the IMS year is hard af. The first semester is the most difficult and very credit heavy. You really need to come in with the idea that you are going to kick butt in the coursework. You can't let any lecture sit and pile up--you need to keep up.
One thing I really like about the Drexel is the number of academic resources. There are drop boxes for everything, free academic tutoring, a lot of school provided resources, most of the books are on reserve in the library or in pdf somewhere, etc...
Also if you are thinking of retaking the MCAT after IMS, the IMS curriculum and the study/test taking skills you pick up while in the program definitely more than prepare you to score very well on the exam.
That's all I can think of for right now. Message me if you have questions.