Has anyone been accepted to Summer 2015 SSP? I was offered an interview today.
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Not too tough - I think I spent like 2-3 hours a day at most on school work, and I took a full course load.Hey team, just got my acceptance to the Specialized Studies Program today (4/27)! Finished my application 3/4, interviewed 4/13.
3.38 cGPA / 3.18 sGPA / 32 MCAT
Strong shadowing/volunteering/research.
As of now it looks as though I will be graduating with a 3.47 cGPA and a 3.24 sGPA. Based off these numbers, I'm beginning to lean more towards a program such as UPenn rather than an SMP given that if I rock it I will be able to push my cGPA over 3.5 and my sGPA over 3.4.
Do any of the alums of the program have any commentary on how difficult it was to perform research during the program? I know that the classes are all in the evening, but did the heaviness of the course load make it a challenge to do good research simultaneously? I'm hoping to do some research with or tangental to UPenn's rad onc department.
What kind of job did you have?Not too tough - I think I spent like 2-3 hours a day at most on school work, and I took a full course load.
And I had a job too
The research kindWhat kind of job did you have?
Hey there, I'm going to be starting the CS program this Summer with Bio courses. Does anyone have any experience with the different professors and teaching styles?
I am also planning to register for Fall courses as soon as possible as well. Thanks!
Hey team, just got my acceptance to the Specialized Studies Program today (4/27)! Finished my application 3/4, interviewed 4/13.
3.38 cGPA / 3.18 sGPA / 32 MCAT
Strong shadowing/volunteering/research.
As of now it looks as though I will be graduating with a 3.47 cGPA and a 3.24 sGPA. Based off these numbers, I'm beginning to lean more towards a program such as UPenn rather than an SMP given that if I rock it I will be able to push my cGPA over 3.5 and my sGPA over 3.4.
Do any of the alums of the program have any commentary on how difficult it was to perform research during the program? I know that the classes are all in the evening, but did the heaviness of the course load make it a challenge to do good research simultaneously? I'm hoping to do some research with or tangental to UPenn's rad onc department.
Hi! i was wondering what kinds of questions they asked you in the interview//how you prepared?Did anybody get a decision from the pre health core studies program? I had my interview on Monday but haven't heard anything yet.
Hi! i was wondering what kinds of questions they asked you in the interview//how you prepared?
best,
Emir
Did you work in a research lab? and you were able to take four classes with labs?The research kind
thanks Baeh. I have my interview next week and am starting to prepare..They had us all sit in a conference room and pulled us aside one by one to interview us. My interviewer asked me why I want to be a doctor, why I'd be a good candidate for Upenn, how I can show I'd do well in my studies, what are ethical issues I observe in health care, what kind of doctor I want to be, what population I want to work with, what experience I've had in health care, if I've had direct contact with patients during my experience.
When did you submit your app? Did you apply for the SSP?thanks Baeh. I have my interview next week and am starting to prepare..
Took 1 class that had a lab, and 3 other classes per semester.Did you work in a research lab? and you were able to take four classes with labs?
Emir
Hey @baeh how long did it take upenn to get back to you after submitting your application online?Can we make a facebook group for people who were accepted summer/fall 2015?
hi hi. I applied on April 1 for SSP for fall 2015, and got an interview request the first week of May.Hey @baeh how long did it take upenn to get back to you after submitting your application online?
Never heard of anyone linking to PCOM, and only know one person who linked in general.Hi all. So after reading through all 32 pages of this thread, I decided to delurk and ask a question. I get that linking is overrated and not a sure bet. However, no one has mentioned if anyone ever successfully linked to PCOM. Can anyone comment on how likely/unlikely admission to PCOM is? Thanks!!
Oh wow, so it will be about a month before I will potentially hear back from them. I was hoping it'll be faster than that...hi hi. I applied on April 1 for SSP for fall 2015, and got an interview request the first week of May.
Hope this helps
emir
I think about a week? Penn responded faster than other schools b/c I was already in their system from my masters program here.Hey @baeh how long did it take upenn to get back to you after submitting your application online?
I talked with SFS the other day and the counselor said federal loans can cover a small fraction of the tuition. We don't have a choice but to take out private loans. I'm looking up scholarships right now, but they're hard to find. I don't know if they'll even grant me one b/c I don't know if they'll consider me undergraduate.hey also was wondering.. what are the typical routes for students paying tuition. are there any governmental loans you can apply for? or is it only private
thanks Baeh. I have my interview next week and am starting to prepare..
I talked with SFS the other day and the counselor said federal loans can cover a small fraction of the tuition. We don't have a choice but to take out private loans. I'm looking up scholarships right now, but they're hard to find. I don't know if they'll even grant me one b/c I don't know if they'll consider me undergraduate.
If you get a full time job working for Penn, your classes will be mostly paid for as part of your tuition benefits. It can be really hard to work full time while taking classes, and is definitely not for everyone. But it's something that's good to consider before taking out extra loans! More information on that here: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/resources/policy/benefits/tuitionfacultystaff
Hi everyone!
I applied on May 12th for the SSP and got my interview invite May 27th!! I'm scheduled to interview next week thru skype! I'm living in SD. Anyone have any tips?
Hi CHoge25, I submitted an MCAT score with my applicationGoriku I have a quick question for you:
What test score did you submit with your application?
I will definitely be looking for a roommate if accepted into the program.I will be attending this program in the Fall! Did anyone make a facebook group? Also, is anyone else looking for a roommate/apartment searching?
I will definitely be looking for a roommate if accepted into the program.
How long post-interview, did you find out you got accepted?
also Look AT CHOP! I am working there full time in a lab starting this summer and apparently tuition benefits from there also cover this program. thank god!This is so helpful! I think I might have not choice but to do this option because I couldn't even find private loans that post-bac students are eligible for
Hello everyone! I just learned about the SSP program. Do you think I am too late to apply for Fall 2015? Deadline is July 1. I think I am a competitive applicant but I do not want to fill out an application if I do not have much of a chance to get in due to rolling admissions.
I just applied today, hopefully my letters of rec will come in a couple days. I hope it is not too late, I would love to be apart of this program!Hi CHoge25, I think you should apply ASAP as I have heard of people applying last minute and still getting in.
Dont let that hold you back! Just write those essays!
E
typically u have to be an employee there 6 months (or something like that) before they give you tuition benefits, and you must be full timealso Look AT CHOP! I am working there full time in a lab starting this summer and apparently tuition benefits from there also cover this program. thank god!
You are wasting your money at Penn.I too am a very desperate and hard-working person trying to get into medical school. After not getting into med school, I applied to Penn post bacc end of May, just interviewed yesterday, and was told at my interview that I basically got it but will receive a formal acceptance later this week.
me: 3.81 GPA, 3.61 science, 26 MCAT from 2013.
This program isn't hard to get into. They have no cap on their incoming class (sounds like $$ hungry to me). All classes are post-bacc students only and range from 25-75 students. Every student is on their own individual class schedule, so no unity of support really exists among students as you're not all going through it together.
If you're not a total lost cause and show that you have some promise, just need some help with your GPA or extra sciences, you'll get in. There is not a community feel to it, however, and there is 0 MCAT assistance. It is a get in and get out mentality and it is true that you really are paying for a reputable name. The acceptance to med school after the program is pretty high, there is a glide year though and they offer opportunities for shadowing and potentially paid work.
I was told by the admissions person that an option for me to save money is to continue working my full time job and take some classes on the side on my own if I already have a committee letter support from my undergrad - which I do. Weird that admissions said that. I guess at least they're honest. Not sure what I'm going to do.
They said they've received 150 applications since January. Usually end up with 500 total. Doesn't sound like much to me. That's all I know. Good luck everyone.
You are wasting your money at Penn.
The $20k it will cost you to attend (even if you went part-time, you are still looking at like $10k) is way more than the MCAT prep that you need. You could spent $3k on a private MCAT tutor and that would be a significantly better way to spend your money. Even if you get a 4.0 in the SSP, it isn't going to change you have a 26 MCAT. That is your issue - not more class work.
To everyone else who might read this, programs like this are not a solution to a poor MCAT. Penn is great if you are on the cusp of getting admissions to med school but need that little GPA booast with maybe some extra ECs. Take the MCAT prep you need, and don't waste it on more class work.