Barry University for Fall 2010-2011

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Hey guys,

I was wondering if Barry University is a good school for a postbac in biomed sciences?

If you guys got in would you choose to go there?

I would like to know more information about this school.

Thanks!

 

[jslo85]

Kinda hesitant on posting in here because of my own situation but I saw that you apparently wanted some opinion by hijacking the PCOM thread as well.

Barry University from my understanding is a Health Sciences university which is mainly revolving around their Podiatry School. They offer the 1 year/2year/3 year MBS tracks for students wishing to pursue a higher professional school goal but lack the credentials. They have no official linkage to medical or dental school as they are a podiatry school but past threads/stories have strongly suggested an unofficial linkage with Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale (NSU) and perhaps in the Caribbean schools as well (SGU and Ross). Curriculum seems comparable with other SMPs with many of the same classes offered, I heard relative class size was around 50ish students and the campus itself is nice (it's in miami go figure) but if you walk past 3 blocks you'll start entering the "ghettos" whatever that means.

That said, I applied and was accepted into the 1 year MBS track at Barry. I don't think I will attend if any of my other options pan out for mainly the reasons above (linkage), the cost of tuition, personal reasons (i live in the Pacific NW), and some rather shady stories about the university. My ultimate goal is to enter medical school and it's really not ideal to go to a podiatry school to take classes if that makes sense. Secondly half of its faculty seems to also teach at NSU as their main job which leads me to wonder how committed they are to helping students at Barry. Third it's quite expensive, if I was going to pay this type of money I'd rather go to an established medical school SMP instead of a program that promises me that I have a chance at the Caribbean if I graduate (><).

Don't let all that dissuade you lol, because I have heard/read plenty of stories of Barry graduates that get into both MD/DO schools as well as Dental school. NSU reportedly takes in 12 Barry students in both medical and dental school each year. It's more of a program where the environment is not as competitive but that you really have to work hard to make yourself stand out and then be very pro-active in everything else (getting LOR from faculty). If you had to get into a track, I'd say push as hard as possible for the 1 year. From previous threads at SDN, people who have been in this program say that the 1 year track gets students to where they want to go in higher #s than the other ones and they have all been positive experiences (if I remember right). Anyway hope this helps.

 

[faith2]

I went to Barry's BMS program, and it was the best time I had at any school. I grew professionally, and mentally. I was in the 18 month BMS, and some of the students did get into NOVA, and a few went to the Carib..most of the people I knew went to US MD and DO schools. There were also some people that did not get into anything, and switched to something else. What people did not realize is barry helps you improve your science background and I was also an active member of the BMS club, and that also helped improved other parts of my application. I remember when I went to one of my interviews, and we got to sit in an Immuno class, I was sitting there smiling because I knew the material being lectured. Every interview I had mentioned my Barry grades because my UG gpa of 2.49 was horrible and my PB 3.96 was not that impressive since I has a UG major of Biology which included most of my PB classes. My interviewers were impressed with my 3.92 Barry GPA. I also had to improve MCAT scores I did research became a Science teacher etc. etc. I have heard people say that Barry does not get you into medical school, and they are right you are suppose to get yourself into school.

Yes as a native NY'er those beautiful days of weather was amazing.
And yes one of the schools I got into was NOVA, and no every Barry student does not get into NOVA. Good Luck

 

[kaDa]

Barry is my 'safe' school. I wouldn't feel any reservations about going there, but there are plenty of other, better programs. I don't know what your academic background is like, but definitely apply to other programs BEFORE applying to Barry. They make very fast admission decisions. I wish I had known that before I had applied b/c now I have to put in a deposit in a week and I would prefer to hear from my other top choice schools :/. Best of luck!

 

[jslo85]

Barry is my 'safe' school. I wouldn't feel any reservations about going there, but there are plenty of other, better programs. I don't know what your academic background is like, but definitely apply to other programs BEFORE applying to Barry. They make very fast admission decisions. I wish I had known that before I had applied b/c now I have to put in a deposit in a week and I would prefer to hear from my other top choice schools :/. Best of luck!

Yeah they really get back to you quickly. I think I recieved the phone call in January from Dr. Lauden. I was hesistant to post basically because my reasons for not having Barry within my top choices was for mostly personal reasons. I actually need to put down my deposit before March rolls around myself as I'm waiting on other responses as well.

 

[faith2]

I did not give the deposit I told them i did not have it. Try it and see if works. Good Luck

Yeah they really get back to you quickly. I think I recieved the phone call in January from Dr. Lauden. I was hesistant to post basically because my reasons for not having Barry within my top choices was for mostly personal reasons. I actually need to put down my deposit before March rolls around myself as I'm waiting on other responses as well.

 

[please17]

I just got accepted to the MBS program at Barry and wanted to know what other people are doing about living arrangements???

 

[jobin123]

Hi everyone,
I just got accepted to Barry's MBS program for the fall of 2010. I am kind of nervous after reading several posts on this website as well as others. Is the program legit? Is it worth the amount of money that is necessary for tuition and fees? Currently it's the only school I've been accepted to so my options are looking slim. Originally it was my first choice as I love Miami, but after researching I am feeling nervous. Also, has anyone heard about the crime rates around that area? How safe Miami Shores is? I live in West Virginia right now and I have been told best bet on living is to take a week and go down and look for apartments. I have a small dog, but would be happy to live with a studious roommate. I am a female non smoker! Thanks guys.

 

[jslo85]

This thread may help out in giving a bit more information,

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527650

Did you apply to any other programs jobin? Did you get into the 1 year or 18 month MBS track? Where do you plan on applying for medical school and what are your current stats? I'm asking these questions more from a neutral advice giving standpoint, I was accepted myself into the 1 year MBS option but I think I will be declining the position very soon for personal reasons but maybe I could shed some light on your situation.

 

[terry gordy]

Hi everyone,
I just got accepted to Barry's MBS program for the fall of 2010. I am kind of nervous after reading several posts on this website as well as others. Is the program legit? Is it worth the amount of money that is necessary for tuition and fees? Currently it's the only school I've been accepted to so my options are looking slim. Originally it was my first choice as I love Miami, but after researching I am feeling nervous. Also, has anyone heard about the crime rates around that area? How safe Miami Shores is? I live in West Virginia right now and I have been told best bet on living is to take a week and go down and look for apartments. I have a small dog, but would be happy to live with a studious roommate. I am a female non smoker! Thanks guys.

If you're getting cold feet about Barry, you could try Mississippi College. They seem to have strong linkage with Ole Miss. 1 year to establish residency?

Plus it's way cheaper than Barry. Cirriculum is similar to Barry as well.

 

[jobin123]

Thanks for the replies! Yes I applied to about 7 medical schools (osteopathic) and 4 master's programs, only getting accepted to Barry. My GPA is about a 3.5 but my mcat was only a 20 Q. I have 5 years clinical experience working with a dermatologist and I am a pennsylvania resident.

 

[jobin123]

Also I should mention I was accepted into the 18 month program. I attended the U of Miami my freshman year, and I love the area which is why I applied to Barry and when I was first accepted I was ecstatic, but once reading posts just got nervous.

 

[kaDa]

Thanks for the replies! Yes I applied to about 7 medical schools (osteopathic) and 4 master's programs, only getting accepted to Barry. My GPA is about a 3.5 but my mcat was only a 20 Q. I have 5 years clinical experience working with a dermatologist and I am a pennsylvania resident.

I suggest you call the top schools you believe you have a shot at with a better MCAT score and see what they say. I would say most schools want to see continued involvement in classes/volunteering, but some may not care. In my opinion, if it's in your power to do more for the next application cycle, you should probably take the opportunity and run with it.

As for your nerves, I would say relax because your GPA is at a good level already. The 18-month or 2-year program can have sketchy results mainly because a lot of students in these programs have <3.0 GPA's to begin with. Also, the courseload isn't as much as in the 1-year program and so there's a question of how well it actually simulates professional school. The Barry program would mostly show your continued involvement in relevant coursework while you study for the MCAT. Be sure to keep up with volunteering, too!

 

[jslo85]

Thanks for the replies! Yes I applied to about 7 medical schools (osteopathic) and 4 master's programs, only getting accepted to Barry. My GPA is about a 3.5 but my mcat was only a 20 Q. I have 5 years clinical experience working with a dermatologist and I am a pennsylvania resident.

Also I should mention I was accepted into the 18 month program. I attended the U of Miami my freshman year, and I love the area which is why I applied to Barry and when I was first accepted I was ecstatic, but once reading posts just got nervous.

Why are you even applying to SMP type programs? Just retake the MCAT and shoot for a 26+ with your GPA if you want to apply to D.O schools and if you want allopathic it'll be 32+. Your MCAT is too low for even most DO masters programs and is the only thing holding you back from what I can tell from what you've posted.

 

[jobin123]

Thanks again for the replies. Sorry I am slow to respond. So I just received my acceptance to the master's program at PCOM today. Any suggestions for which is a better program? All things aside, just academically. PCOM would be cheaper, but Miami would be nicer. 🙂 So just wondering the academia. Thanks!

 

[dvduplex]

Im not sure if this is the right place to be posting this, so I apologize in advance if it is not.

For anyone who got accepted to the biomedical program at Barry, how did you manage to pay for the tuition and living expense? thanks! 🙂

 

[jslo85]

Thanks again for the replies. Sorry I am slow to respond. So I just received my acceptance to the master's program at PCOM today. Any suggestions for which is a better program? All things aside, just academically. PCOM would be cheaper, but Miami would be nicer. 🙂 So just wondering the academia. Thanks!

Disclaimer: This is purely my own opinion.
I would definitely go with PCOM. Barry doesn't have a medical school and is mainly recognized as a podiatry school. They have linkages back to NSU which are quite strong but frankly, I don't know how confident I would be being taught by the podiatry faculty as well as professors from NSU who teach at Barry as a side job.

Im not sure if this is the right place to be posting this, so I apologize in advance if it is not.

For anyone who got accepted to the biomedical program at Barry, how did you manage to pay for the tuition and living expense? thanks! 🙂

I would assume loans 😳

 

[dvduplex]

@jslo85: I checked the Stafford loans that are offered, but it doesn't seem enough to pay for everything. kind of make me worry though 🙁

 

[kaDa]

Does anyone know some good areas to live for this program? Do most out of state people just live in the graduate housing? 2 miles away and in a hotel doesn't sound too appealing...