1. Please give us your personal impression of the program?
2. What are some strong points?
3. How could they improve the program?
4. Please provide insight as to how difficult it is to compete with DO students for the 80%?
5. How is the comradery within the class?
These are some great questions
1. Since my first day at campus I felt right at home. Everyone was super welcoming, one of my first impressions in the interview is that everyone wanted to help, all the previous MBS were super encouraging as well as the interview committee. As far as the program, I think it is set up in such a way that you can succeed as long as you put the hard work in.
2. Strong points: Definitely the assistance you get from previous MBS and also the preparation you receive during the semester (tutoring, review sessions etc.). I cannot stress how extremely grateful I am for the support that we receive from the director, the previous MBS students and the professors. By the time you become an M1 you have all the tools you need to be successful in your M1 year and beyond.
3. As far as the MBS program I would not change anything, all the professors are extremely helpful - they want you to succeed as an MBS. The director of the program (Dr. Dribin) is fantastic and is extremely approachable, she is there for you 100%. As far as the actual medical school, the curriculum is extremely rigorous but I imagine that is to be expected as far as medical school is concerned. The MBS program will prepare you for the rigors of the years to come for sure.
4. The program is rigorous. Is it impossible? No. If you put the hard work and effort you will definitely see it pay off. The M1 students take a lot more classes than you do so in that sense you actually have an advantage. 80% and above is definitely within reach.
5. One of the things I actually love the most is the comradery within the MBS group. Because you are such a small group you end up becoming close, everyone works together and helps each other, they become your family away from home. I have met one of the most brilliant and awesome individuals in this program, both old MBS and new.
Hope this helps! Anything else let me know.