Barry BMS

[greatestrobo]

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Hey congrats to anyone who's going to barry this fall for the BMS program. I'm almost done with the program so feel free to ask any questions.

If anyone is looking for housing, I have a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment and I'm currently looking for a roommate since mine finished the program and moved to Cali. It's in a great location, Aventura (close to campus, safe, clean, etc.). Let me know if you're interested, would be awesome to share a place with another barry student.

 

[Primed 4 Action]

Hey greatestrobo,

This is actually my first post on SDN, so I'm going to applaud myself first...

I was recently accepted into the 2-year MBS program, and I still need to decide which post-bac program I'm going with for Fall '09. Since you're a veteran student, can you give me some feedback about:

1) Barry's facilities (classrooms, library, fitness center, etc.)?

2) Helpfulness of administration & faculty?

3) Price of living in the area?

 

[House MD]

in addition to that I was wondering if you could tell us a little about the rigor of the course and your ability to manage your time, etc. [I plan on

Also do you know anything about the number of people who end up matriculating to MD schools later on?

 

[Barry09]

Also for the 2 year program, how many credit hours do you take per semester, because you only need 36 to graduate

 

[obeachbabe21o]

Hey greatestrobo,

This is actually my first post on SDN, so I'm going to applaud myself first...

I was recently accepted into the 2-year MBS program, and I still need to decide which post-bac program I'm going with for Fall '09. Since you're a veteran student, can you give me some feedback about:

1) Barry's facilities (classrooms, library, fitness center, etc.)?

2) Helpfulness of administration & faculty?

3) Price of living in the area?

I just graduated from the Barry BMS program I was Option 1-18 months.

I ended with mixed feelings about Barry. I went to Barry with these expectations that this program is highly regarded and that if I succeed in the program, it will make my chances of getting into medical school a bit easier. Definitely not true. Dr. Lauden (program director) is a used car salesman. He will tell you how successful the students are and will quote a ridiculous percent of students that have been admitted into medical school after completing the program. You (like me) will believe him and by the end, you'll realize the program has no specific affiliation with any medical school. No one knows who Dr. Lauden is.

The curriculum is difficult, if you slack at any point, you're likely to be doomed. This is especially true of the 1 year program. You need to be on your A game the entire time; it's very challenging, but not impossible.

Now to your question:

1. facilities?
The gym isn't great, it's this small area with a few machines. If you're expecting something you find at a large university, you'll be disappointed. The library is a time machine into the 60s. It smells old and it is OBVIOUS that nothing has been updated in over 40 years. The chairs are retro, the AC breaks, there is only one quite study floor and few study rooms. I personally did not like studying there. The classrooms aren't too bad, nothing spectacular or awful.

2. helpfulness?
Like any university, there are helpful and awesome faculty while others aren't so nice. As you can tell from my previous rant, Dr. Lauden, not the friendliest or helpful administrator. If you need something from him, prepare for him to be a jerk. Professors like Dr. Orr, Dr. Panavelil, Dr. A, Dr. Kumi-Diaka, Dr. Garcia, Dr. Shaw, etc are all outstanding. If you can take classes with them, do so! The only one that is iffy is Dr. Merchant. She's really sweet and new but she doesn't have the concept of teaching down and makes class very difficult to pay attention. Other than that, most of the faculty are friendly and ready to help.

3. cost of living?
BEWARE OF THE AREAS AROUND BARRY!! Barry is not in the nicest neighborhood. I knew someone that was assaulted just outside the gates of campus. If you find a place that is cheap, be careful!!! If it's too good to be true, it probably is. I live in south Miami, but I moved to an apartment closer to Barry, so I can tell you the neighborhood is tough. If you are looking for places 2 minutes from campus, check in Biscayne Park. That's where I lived and it is a really nice area and very quite. Aventura is a nice area, a little more pricey, and a little further from campus (further meaning a 10 minute drive). It's Miami, expect a high cost of living. Also, expect to pay lots of money in electricity bc of AC cost.. lol


If I could do it again, I don't know if I would. The plus of this program is that you end with a Master of Science, not just a certificate. At the end of the day, a masters is better than a bachelors. But it feels like a waste of time because I applied to medical school last summer (2008) only to be rejected even though I had stellar grades. BUT I did work with some great people and had some great professors and did learn a lot. I'm positive that I will have a slight advantage against someone who hadn't had those classes.

That's my two cents. Anything else, feel free to ask!

 

[djd2187]

I have few more questions, thank you in advance:

1. Do you feel like if you had done anything different, you could have improved your chances?

2. Also, is it a rumor that there is a connection with Nova Southeastern Osteopathic School or is it true? Because some people say that there is a connection, but I can't find a lot of information on it.

3.And do you how many people ended up getting into allopathic school during your school year?

-Deep

 

[obeachbabe21o]

I have few more questions, thank you in advance:

1. Do you feel like if you had done anything different, you could have improved your chances?

2. Also, is it a rumor that there is a connection with Nova Southeastern Osteopathic School or is it true? Because some people say that there is a connection, but I can't find a lot of information on it.

3.And do you how many people ended up getting into allopathic school during your school year?

-Deep

1. I did really, really well in the program. So I figured if I did well, and they are associated with a school, I would be good. Not what happened.

2. There is a "connection" to Nova. It's not the kind like in other post-bacs that are directly associated with a medical school and they will guarantee an interview with a good final GPA. Some of the professors are from Nova and they can write letters of recommendations on your behalf, but that's as far as the connection goes. Nova has it's own post-bac program which DOES guarantee an interview if you have a certain GPA (I don't remember exactly what it is in the jumbled mess of required GPAs in my head). So if you want a shot into Nova, do their post-bac.

3. That's a great question. Dr. Lauden will tell you that 70%+ get into medical school, whether MD or DO. I just graduated (took the comp in June) and I couldn't name you 15 people in my class that got into medical school. I didn't know many 1 years, but the great majority of the program were 18 month or 2 years and there are 200+ people in the BMS program.

I don't want to stop you from going to Barry, but I wanted to give you the reality of it. I really wish someone would have done this for me so I wouldn't have put all my eggs in this one basket. I'm not the only one that feels this way about the program. Again, it was a great intro to a lot of difficult classes, the curriculum is tough, but doable if you put the effort. It does look good that you end with a Masters, but don't think it's your ticket somewhere because in reality they don't have a true connection with actual medical schools.

 

[obeachbabe21o]

I thought my situation was mediocre when I started Barry. That's why I wanted to do some sort of SMP. I figured if I knock it out of the park, that would bring my application up because getting amazing grades in a graduate program displays more ability than doing amazing in undergrad, IMO.

What do you mean by qualifying exams? The major exam that you have to take is at the end of the program which is the comprehensive exam. Since it's a non-thesis masters, you have to pass the comprehensive exam with a 70% or better. On the exam there are 30 credits; your required courses (neuroanatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology) and the rest are electives. Its a 2 day exam, administered on the computer.

 

[obeachbabe21o]

The comprehensive exam is difficult, I'm not going to lie. Is it impossible? No. You need to really study and pay close attention during those classes and keep track of notes. The most of the professors use the exact same test questions from their exams from your semester. Most of the people I know did pass. There were a few that didn't. If you don't pass, you have to wait until the end of the next semester to take it again.

My situation is an issue with the MCAT. I've taken it multiple times and it has shown an upward trend, but even then, the scores aren't that high. I don't think that I can do any better on that exam and honestly, it doesn't demonstrate the kind of student I am. I would think that doing well in a graduate program with intense graduate classes would be a better gauge, but I was definitely wrong. But I'm doing things now to further improve my application and let's hope that it works out for 2010-2011. I applied and was accepted to the LECOM post-bac program, and I have a better feeling about this one. It's a certificate program, but if you do well, you get an interview. You can't go wrong with a post-bac that is offered through a medical school.

I started the Barry program in January 2008 and I applied midway through the program. I am a Florida resident, but I have no interest in applying to MD school again. I emailed a few admissions offices and asked what I can do to further improve my application and none of them have been helpful and one, in particular, was frustrating. I listed all my ECs that I've added since applying and he told me that they were not exemplary. He made it sound as if I needed to find the cure for cancer to be admitted into their school.

I'll be at LECOM in September and hopefully be in med school the following fall.

 

[obeachbabe21o]

I hope I was of help. I wish I was told these things before, but you live and you learn 😀

 

[djd2187]

thank you gujudoc and obeachbabe21o, both of you have been really helpful, i have already chosen to attend the program so I will post my review of the program after my first semester.

 

[djd2187]

Not sure what I did to help. but you are welcome. I'm applying to this program as well as Drexel IMS cuz of cost issues and fam. being nearby that I could live with. so we'll see what happens.

I do think though that it is always important to evaluate the situation as a whole and speak to the Fl. MD admissions directors and DO admissions directors at the very least to see what you need to do. I'm not sure why obeach had a bad experience with them but I've always had positive ones with Fl. med school admissions directors/deans/etc.

pretty much all the questions that I had about this program were answered and yea I figured that is true with talking to admissions people. I know I talked to Marshall school of Medicine and the Dean has already told me to email the grades. So, I am sure that goes for every program since many medical schools fill up their interview list by January.

-Deepal

 

[djd2187]

yah. that's good. Didn't realize you are indian. Good luck.

yep and a guju!!

 

[djd2187]

I have one more question: How did you go about buying your books for the program, I asked the dean for a booklist and he said you have to wait till the orientation or go on the bookstore website. The bookstore website says the books are under preorder, and orientation would be really late to buy books for a cheaper price. Thank you

-Deepal

 

[obeachbabe21o]

I have one more question: How did you go about buying your books for the program, I asked the dean for a booklist and he said you have to wait till the orientation or go on the bookstore website. The bookstore website says the books are under preorder, and orientation would be really late to buy books for a cheaper price. Thank you

-Deepal

If you're starting in the Fall, you probably will be taking Biochem I, Histology w/Lab, Healthcare/Ethics. If you're in the 1-year, you'll also be taking Gross. I didn't take Gross, so I can't speak for that class.

For some of the classes, you will need to go to the BMS office to buy a packet of notes. This is true for Histology with Dr. Mariassy (lecture and lab - 2 different packets). He will also recommend you purchase these Histology DVDs that were created by a professor at Nova. I highly recommend buying these.

I believe that Dr. Radlauer (Healthcare/Ethics) provides you with a packet of notes on the first day. If not, you can also purchase them at the BMS office.

For Biochemistry, your professor will be Dr. Shaw. He actually publishes his own lecture text and lecture notes. It's two different books and you will use both of these for Biochem I (Fall) and Biochem II (Spring). He will email you close to the start of class with the website of the publisher and you will be able to purchase it online. I HIGHLY SUGGEST you read the first few chapters for Dr. Shaw before every class, including day 1. He is probably one of the toughest professors in the program. He can be a huuuuuuuge jerk, BUT he knows his stuff and he's an amazing professor.

For other classes that you'll take in the Spring, the professors teach off of powerpoints and you really don't need a book for the class. More often than not, you won't use them for reference at all.

That's the situation with the notes. If you need any more info on any other class that I didn't mention, I'll be more happy to give you more insight. Otherwise, call the BMS office and ask Virginia if they have the packets of notes for the Fall classes. Virginia is really sweet and helpful; she is Dr. Lauden's assistant and she will be the one that you will be interacting with.

😀

 

[djd2187]

If you're starting in the Fall, you probably will be taking Biochem I, Histology w/Lab, Healthcare/Ethics. If you're in the 1-year, you'll also be taking Gross. I didn't take Gross, so I can't speak for that class.

For some of the classes, you will need to go to the BMS office to buy a packet of notes. This is true for Histology with Dr. Mariassy (lecture and lab - 2 different packets). He will also recommend you purchase these Histology DVDs that were created by a professor at Nova. I highly recommend buying these.

I believe that Dr. Radlauer (Healthcare/Ethics) provides you with a packet of notes on the first day. If not, you can also purchase them at the BMS office.

For Biochemistry, your professor will be Dr. Shaw. He actually publishes his own lecture text and lecture notes. It's two different books and you will use both of these for Biochem I (Fall) and Biochem II (Spring). He will email you close to the start of class with the website of the publisher and you will be able to purchase it online. I HIGHLY SUGGEST you read the first few chapters for Dr. Shaw before every class, including day 1. He is probably one of the toughest professors in the program. He can be a huuuuuuuge jerk, BUT he knows his stuff and he's an amazing professor.

For other classes that you'll take in the Spring, the professors teach off of powerpoints and you really don't need a book for the class. More often than not, you won't use them for reference at all.

That's the situation with the notes. If you need any more info on any other class that I didn't mention, I'll be more happy to give you more insight. Otherwise, call the BMS office and ask Virginia if they have the packets of notes for the Fall classes. Virginia is really sweet and helpful; she is Dr. Lauden's assistant and she will be the one that you will be interacting with.

😀

Thank you obeachbabe21o for such a quick response, I will definitely call Virginia tomorrow and ask about the fall classes.

 

[obeachbabe21o]

Thank you obeachbabe21o for such a quick response, I will definitely call Virginia tomorrow and ask about the fall classes.

no problem 😀 I get emails sent to my phone so I get the posts quickly.
Again, anything else you'd like to know about Barry, just ask.

 

[Barry09]

Thanks for the post. I have one more question, about how many credit hours do you take per semester in the 2 year program? Thanks

 

[djd2187]

Thanks for the post. I have one more question, about how many credit hours do you take per semester in the 2 year program? Thanks

It has to be 9 credits per semester, because you need 36 credits to graduate. But it might be different because I know for the first year program you can take more classes to avoid taking summer school or taking less classes during summer.

 

[obeachbabe21o]

Thanks for the post. I have one more question, about how many credit hours do you take per semester in the 2 year program? Thanks

I'm not sure. It varies by electives but the required classes are offered once so you must take them those semesters. Fall: histo (5), biochem 1 (3), healthcare/ethics (2) Spring: physio (3), neuro (3), biochem 2 (3). But the positive with the 2 year track is that if you do well, you can be placed on a list to take Gross. Gross is only required for 1 yrs and pods, but if you are successful in the other classes, they may place some 2 yrs or some 18 months.