Any of you go through a "Prematriculation Program"

[YA7ES]

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I got an e-mail saying that I was accepted to a Prematriculation Program at the Med School I am attending in the Fall. This took me by surprise because I never applied for such a program, nor did I know that it even existed.

After doing some research I figured out that it was for the "underserved" and for minority students who at some point in their lives may have been at a "disadvantage".

I'm not a minority and my MCAT was at average, so I finally figured out that I was accepted to this program because I'm a psychology major, so that makes me "disadvantaged" compared to people with majors in the sciences.

It sounds like a pretty legit program. I get to take 7 weeks of Biochem and Gross Anatomy if I attend (all for no cost other than living expenses), giving myself a headstart..

Any opinions? or suggestions regarding these programs??

Thanks

 

[MiSfiT2013]

I got an e-mail saying that I was accepted to a Prematriculation Program at the Med School I am attending in the Fall. This took me by surprise because I never applied for such a program, nor did I know that it even existed.

After doing some research I figured out that it was for the "underserved" and for minority students who at some point in their lives may have been at a "disadvantage".

I'm not a minority and my MCAT was at average, so I finally figured out that I was accepted to this program because I'm a psychology major, so that makes me "disadvantaged" compared to people with majors in the sciences.

It sounds like a pretty legit program. I get to take 7 weeks of Biochem and Gross Anatomy if I attend (all for no cost other than living expenses), giving myself a headstart..

Any opinions? or suggestions regarding these programs??

Thanks

I took part in the pre-entry program at my school and I think it was worthwhile. I remember being shocked and overwhelmed by the amount of material we were expected to learn but it was nice because the program gave me the opportunity to adjust to the demands of medical school without the pressure of being graded. Then when the actual school year started, I knew what to expect and was prepared to hit the ground running.

Anatomy was the most helpful course in the program because we bascially covered everything on our first exam in medical school. As you will see, anatomy is one of the more time-consuming courses of first year. Having the material beforehand is a major advantage in that it allows you to focus more on your other courses, but as with most things what you put into it is what you will get out of it (Cliche I know, sorry).

I think it would be beneficial to do the prematriculation program. Even if you don't feel like busting your a** just yet (it still is your summer vacation after all), at least you know what to expect come August. Hope this helps!

 

[Mr hawkings]

I got an e-mail saying that I was accepted to a Prematriculation Program at the Med School I am attending in the Fall. This took me by surprise because I never applied for such a program, nor did I know that it even existed.

After doing some research I figured out that it was for the "underserved" and for minority students who at some point in their lives may have been at a "disadvantage".

I'm not a minority and my MCAT was at average, so I finally figured out that I was accepted to this program because I'm a psychology major, so that makes me "disadvantaged" compared to people with majors in the sciences.

It sounds like a pretty legit program. I get to take 7 weeks of Biochem and Gross Anatomy if I attend (all for no cost other than living expenses), giving myself a headstart..

Any opinions? or suggestions regarding these programs??

Thanks

I didnt do it but what i heard from my clasmates that did was that its pretty much a chance for you to bond with some of your classmates and form relationships be for school starts. I suspect that its usefullness academically is very school-dependent. At my school, i dont think it gave anyone a leg up once school started for real.
Maybe they got to hear some medical terminology and some basic concepts 1 month before i did which if you were not a science major might be useful, i guess.

 

[DocMcCoy]

I plan on going to my schools pre-mat program this July. To agree with Mr. Hawkings all of the MS1s I have talked to say it is a good chance to make friends before school starts and get scoop on professors and necessary material/ study methods before school actually starts and you won't have a lot of extra time to figure all that extra junk out.

 

[swamprat]

do all schools have pre-matriculation programs?

 

[Disinence2]

If I were you I would enjoy EVERY second of your summer before med school.

You will be working hard soon enough, You'll adjust.

Take your free time and run.

 

[JJMrK]

If I were you I would enjoy EVERY second of your summer before med school.

You will be working hard soon enough, You'll adjust.

Take your free time and run.

Yeah, this is what I'll be doing.

 

[Mr hawkings]

do all schools have pre-matriculation programs?

No but a lot do.

 

[JackMcCoyDA]

Yeah, I just applied for the pre-matriculation program at my medical school because I'm super anxious about starting and doing well. I'm not neurotic because my stats are slightly below the average of my classes so I have a good reason to be nervous about doing well. It's only two weeks at my school though with a good emphasis on learning strategies which is definitely something I'm looking for. 7 weeks is pretty intense...

 

[Appless]

too intense for me. The school im going to attend offers this but honestly i want to spend my time doing something non school related. If it were me id pass and enjoy your last days before you have to get back to real work again 🙂

 

[YA7ES]

I've pretty much decided I'm doing it.
I called my school today and they told me it'd be 35 students doing a 6 week course of Biochem and Gross Anatomy.

She said the participants normally finish their first semester in the top 25% in both subjects. Mainly because you learn everything that's going to be on the first two tests a few months early.