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- Apr 25, 2005
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Hey Everyone,
I keep getting PM's about the Barry program and I'm starting to feel a bit like a broken record. To avoid that, I'm posting an email that I recently sent to someone answering some of his questions. I'll post some other replies I've sent out as well and if anyone has additional questions. Please write them in this thread and I can answer them. That way, everyone can benefit from the knowledge I give you.
Some background about me:
1. Did you go straight to med school after Barry?
I had a year off, because my undergrad GPA was a 3.2, so I needed to make sure that when I applied to med school I had all my masters' grades showing up on my transcript. Some programs like BU/Georgetown are better at avoiding a year off from what I hear.
2. How competitive is it to get into the program?
I did not find it terribly competitive. I came in with one of the highest MCAT scores in my class, which was only a 32... If MCAT is your problem, forget about an SMP and just keep retaking... There were other people were lower scores who got in just fine. I also chose Barry, because it was my only choice for an SMP. I only applied in June and they accepted me two weeks later. Other SMPs are more competitive to get into and it plays to apply early. Some also have more stringent cutoffs for MCATs (ie: 27 minimum). Obviously if you go in with a higher MCAT they can do more for you.
3. Did those interviewing you know of the program? Basically, did it help you in gaining admissions?
Many of my interviewers did not know the program, but were impressed that I took a full year of gross anatomy, and so I do think that because I practically had a 4.0 in my program it did help me. I would not have gotten into med school without doing another year of coursework. I do believe, however that there are some more recognized program out there.
4. Does the program have a research component? If not, are there opportunities for those interested in gaining research exposure?
There is a research possibility, but most people do not do it. And, I don't believe it's done in the one year track. To be honest, if you want research, don't go to Barry.
5. How many people are in the program and of those completing the program, how many are accepted to medical school?
I think everyone that wants into an MD program gets in from the one year track. There were about 35 in my year. The total program has about 200 people or so, but the different tracks take different classes on different schedules, so it was pretty much the same 35 people all the time, except for a few classes here and there. The other tracks seem to have more people heading towards DO, but realize that it's more about MCAT scores than it is anything else. If you have a 25 MCAT and you're not an underrepresented minority in medicine, you're not likely to get into an MD program unless you have OUTSTANDING credentials, and even then, it may not happen.
6. Lastly, did you get multiple interviews/acceptances?
I had multiple interviews, but not multiple acceptances. I'm pretty sure that had nothing to do with Barry and more with the fact that I didn't present myself properly in my application. I discussed it with several admission directors and that's what hurt me the most. I am an american resident, but grew up in Canada though, so my story is a bit different from that respect.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED. IF YOU HAVE MORE, PLEASE POST THEM ON HERE AND ILL ANSWER THEM FOR EVERYONE!! 👍👍
I keep getting PM's about the Barry program and I'm starting to feel a bit like a broken record. To avoid that, I'm posting an email that I recently sent to someone answering some of his questions. I'll post some other replies I've sent out as well and if anyone has additional questions. Please write them in this thread and I can answer them. That way, everyone can benefit from the knowledge I give you.
Some background about me:
1. Did you go straight to med school after Barry?
I had a year off, because my undergrad GPA was a 3.2, so I needed to make sure that when I applied to med school I had all my masters' grades showing up on my transcript. Some programs like BU/Georgetown are better at avoiding a year off from what I hear.
2. How competitive is it to get into the program?
I did not find it terribly competitive. I came in with one of the highest MCAT scores in my class, which was only a 32... If MCAT is your problem, forget about an SMP and just keep retaking... There were other people were lower scores who got in just fine. I also chose Barry, because it was my only choice for an SMP. I only applied in June and they accepted me two weeks later. Other SMPs are more competitive to get into and it plays to apply early. Some also have more stringent cutoffs for MCATs (ie: 27 minimum). Obviously if you go in with a higher MCAT they can do more for you.
3. Did those interviewing you know of the program? Basically, did it help you in gaining admissions?
Many of my interviewers did not know the program, but were impressed that I took a full year of gross anatomy, and so I do think that because I practically had a 4.0 in my program it did help me. I would not have gotten into med school without doing another year of coursework. I do believe, however that there are some more recognized program out there.
4. Does the program have a research component? If not, are there opportunities for those interested in gaining research exposure?
There is a research possibility, but most people do not do it. And, I don't believe it's done in the one year track. To be honest, if you want research, don't go to Barry.
5. How many people are in the program and of those completing the program, how many are accepted to medical school?
I think everyone that wants into an MD program gets in from the one year track. There were about 35 in my year. The total program has about 200 people or so, but the different tracks take different classes on different schedules, so it was pretty much the same 35 people all the time, except for a few classes here and there. The other tracks seem to have more people heading towards DO, but realize that it's more about MCAT scores than it is anything else. If you have a 25 MCAT and you're not an underrepresented minority in medicine, you're not likely to get into an MD program unless you have OUTSTANDING credentials, and even then, it may not happen.
6. Lastly, did you get multiple interviews/acceptances?
I had multiple interviews, but not multiple acceptances. I'm pretty sure that had nothing to do with Barry and more with the fact that I didn't present myself properly in my application. I discussed it with several admission directors and that's what hurt me the most. I am an american resident, but grew up in Canada though, so my story is a bit different from that respect.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED. IF YOU HAVE MORE, PLEASE POST THEM ON HERE AND ILL ANSWER THEM FOR EVERYONE!! 👍👍
