Best masters/post bacc programs?

[Mightyheracross]

I was unsuccessful in getting into med school this cycle so I have turned my focus to masters/post bacc programs. Which programs should I be looking at? BUs MAMS program caught my eye when 70% of their grads who apply get into med school (85% of their graduates who get a 3.5+ in the program get into med school). Are there any other programs with a track record quite like this? I dont want to make the mistake of only applying to one program.

I was a science major with a 3.3 overall, 3.7 science, and 503 on the MCAT. I am not taking the masters as career changer or non traditional applicant helper.

Any help anyone can give on the topic would be very helpful!

Thanks

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[tammyp]

If you have a 3.7 science gpa, I don't think you should risk doing a masters in medical science. Focusing on retaking the MCAT would be cheaper and a better use of your time.

 

[Mightyheracross]

If you have a 3.7 science gpa, I don't think you should risk doing a masters in medical science. Focusing on retaking the MCAT would be cheaper and a better use of your time.

Ive heard from a pre med advisor, quite a few physician mentors, and some friends that my best bet is to now go for a masters. The masters, BU's in particular and im sure others as well, are geared to prepare me well for the MCAT if I want to retake it down the road. I appreciate the input, but at this point, I think my best plan for the next year is a masters

 

[tammyp]

Ive heard from a pre med advisor, quite a few physician mentors, and some friends that my best bet is to now go for a masters. The masters, BU's in particular and im sure others as well, are geared to prepare me well for the MCAT if I want to retake it down the road. I appreciate the input, but at this point, I think my best plan for the next year is a masters

Its obviously your decision but master programs in medical science are only truly beneficial if you do better your undergrad performance and you're already setting the bar for yourself pretty high with a undergrad sGPA of 3.7. You've already proved that you can handle science classes. I understand if you want to stay in school during your gap year but consider a MPH or another program that isn't focused on just hard sciences. Don't put yourself in risky situations if you don't have to. Pipeline programs would be a safer option if you're truly set on doing a hard science degree. I would look into the med schools you applied to to see if they have a pipeline program so you'll at least have a guranteed seat.

 

[Mightyheracross]

Its obviously your decision but master programs in medical science are only truly beneficial if you do better your undergrad performance and you're already setting the bar for yourself pretty high with a undergrad sGPA of 3.7. You've already proved that you can handle science classes. I understand if you want to stay in school during your gap year but consider a MPH or another program that isn't focused on just hard sciences. Don't put yourself in risky situations if you don't have to. Pipeline programs would be a safer option if you're truly set on doing a hard science degree. I would look into the med schools you applied to to see if they have a pipeline program so you'll at least have a guranteed seat.

I see what youre saying 100%. Pipeline programs are like linkages, im assuming? Its not that I want to stay in school for my gap year, its that I dont want another gap year. This application cycle has been a gap year and I have been working in the medical field. I think going back to school for another year would look better than just continuing to work, right?

I guess what I really want to know is just how to narrow down which masters to apply to? I mean ive seen the AAMC list, but its overwhelmingly long. I want to go to a big school with a good reputation. Hopefully a masters from a good school will give me some cache.

 

[AkitaGuy]

Your sGPA is fine. cGPA can be raised with a few classes at a CC. You're no where near in need of an SMP like I am. It certaitly wouldn't kill if you did well, but it's also going to be a lot of stress you don't need. I say take come classes boost your cGPA to above a 3.5 if possible and retake mcat. SMPs aren't necessarily the fastest way as BU is a 2 year program (1 year is highly looked down upon), but it is a great program nonetheless which is why I decided to attend it over the 2 others I was accepted to. (LMU and GT). If I were you, I'd look for alternative options to save $$$. Buckle down and kill the MCAT and you will be in good standings.

 

[tammyp]

I don't know what type of school you're shooting for but if you're open to moving, I would suggest finding one in a state that has a lot of public medical schools and try to claim residency so you can be considered in state when you apply. I would suggest this for an SMP or any masters really. I can't really speak on which SMP are truly highly regarded among admission committees but I have a feeling @Goro would say that where you do it doesn't necessarily matter too much. I would think schools care more about the type of classes you're taking in the program and the grades you got.

 

[Mightyheracross]

Your sGPA is fine. cGPA can be raised with a few classes at a CC. You're no where near in need of an SMP like I am. It certaitly wouldn't kill if you did well, but it's also going to be a lot of stress you don't need. I say take come classes boost your cGPA to above a 3.5 if possible and retake mcat. SMPs aren't necessarily the fastest way as BU is a 2 year program (1 year is highly looked down upon), but it is a great program nonetheless which is why I decided to attend it over the 2 others I was accepted to. (LMU and GT). If I were you, I'd look for alternative options to save $$$. Buckle down and kill the MCAT and you will be in good standings.

I appreciate the advice, but my pre medical advisor specifically told me NOT to just retake certain classes that I got bad grades in. Not sure why, but I did ask the question and that was her answer. Regarding the MCAT, I studied my ass off the first time, took a prep course (I know a lot of people dont like them but it helped me organize myself), and was privately tutored, and I still only got 57th ish percentile. Regarding the masters programs, I dont really mind 2 years - in the long run, its no big deal. They are expensive, which is obviously a concern, but when I see stats saying 85% of their grads get into med school, thats pretty powerful. I know I need to improve my stats and a masters seems like my best route.

 

[Mightyheracross]

I don't know what type of school you're shooting for but if you're open to moving, I would suggest finding one in a state that has a lot of public medical schools and try to claim residency so you can be considered in state when you apply. I would suggest this for an SMP or any masters really. I can't really speak on which SMP are truly highly regarded among admission committees but I have a feeling @Goro would say that where you do it doesn't necessarily matter too much. I would think schools care more about the type of classes you're taking in the program and the grades you got.

Im shooting for the best masters/SMPs I can apply to. I want a degree from the best institution/program I can get into. I have no doubt I can crush the courses once I get there, so im not shying away from applying certain places that may be harder than others. I grew up in a state with 6 MD schools (4 public and 2 private) and 1 public DO school, so ive already got the in state thing going for me. However, I could go somewhere and establish residency there as well (maybe?).

 

[Goro]

I appreciate the advice, but my pre medical advisor specifically told me NOT to just retake certain classes that I got bad grades in. Not sure why, but I did ask the question and that was her answer. Regarding the MCAT, I studied my ass off the first time, took a prep course (I know a lot of people dont like them but it helped me organize myself), and was privately tutored, and I still only got 57th ish percentile. Regarding the masters programs, I dont really mind 2 years - in the long run, its no big deal. They are expensive, which is obviously a concern, but when I see stats saying 85% of their grads get into med school, thats pretty powerful. I know I need to improve my stats and a masters seems like my best route.

Most pre-med advisors are *****s.

I recommend retaking any pre-req that you got a C- or lower. Any other, retake only you you are really weak on the foundations needed for the MCAT.

Your MCAT %ile is circling the drain for MD, but OK for DO.

 

[tammyp]

I appreciate the advice, but my pre medical advisor specifically told me NOT to just retake certain classes that I got bad grades in. Not sure why, but I did ask the question and that was her answer. Regarding the MCAT, I studied my ass off the first time, took a prep course (I know a lot of people dont like them but it helped me organize myself), and was privately tutored, and I still only got 57th ish percentile. Regarding the masters programs, I dont really mind 2 years - in the long run, its no big deal. They are expensive, which is obviously a concern, but when I see stats saying 85% of their grads get into med school, thats pretty powerful. I know I need to improve my stats and a masters seems like my best route.

I'm not familiar with any rankings for SMPs. Some are "highly regarded" simply because they've been established the longer like Georgetown. I selected my program based on location since I wanted to stay in state, if I got a masters degree vs. a graduate certificate after one year since I only wanted to do a program for a one year, and if you have a guranteed interview/seat. If you have an idea of where you want to go for medical school, SMP's in that state would be a better option since the admission committee will most likely be familiar with your program or have interviewed/accepted students from your program in the past. But I've seen applicants on my interview trail that did SMP's all over. Don't read too much into the 85% thing, it doesn't really speak on how good the program is. Any applicant with a 3.5 gpa or higher in a graduate program is of course going to be more competitive.

 

[tammyp]

But your MCAT is really gonna hold you back MD wise. I would strongly recommend retaking the MCAT, especially if you decide to do an SMP. You're convinced now that you've tried your best with MCAT and I'm sure that you have with your CURRENT skill set, but academically you will be a different person after the SMP program.

 

[Mightyheracross]

Most pre-med advisors are *****s.

I recommend retaking any pre-req that you got a C- or lower. Any other, retake only you you are really weak on the foundations needed for the MCAT.

Your MCAT %ile is circling the drain for MD, but OK for DO.

Well I couldnt agree more with your first statement 🙂 so I certainly appreciate the advice. The advisor is one of Princeton Review's Admissions Counselors so not technically a pre med advisor.

She did tell me the only classes she would recommend I retake are those in which I got lower than a C- (like you said). However, even if I were to 4.0 that course, it would hardly raise my GPA. Also, I have heard masters should prepare me well for the MCAT so I can retake it when I finish.

 

[Mightyheracross]

I'm not familiar with any rankings for SMPs. Some are "highly regarded" simply because they've been established the longer like Georgetown. I selected my program based on location since I wanted to stay in state, if I got a masters degree vs. a graduate certificate after one year since I only wanted to do a program for a one year, and if you have a guranteed interview/seat. If you have an idea of where you want to go for medical school, SMP's in that state would be a better option since the admission committee will most likely be familiar with your program or have interviewed/accepted students from your program in the past. But I've seen applicants on my interview trail that did SMP's all over. Don't read too much into the 85% thing, it doesn't really speak on how good the program is. Any applicant with a 3.5 gpa or higher in a graduate program is of course going to be more competitive.

But your MCAT is really gonna hold you back MD wise. I would strongly recommend retaking the MCAT, especially if you decide to do an SMP. You're convinced now that you've tried your best with MCAT and I'm sure that you have with your CURRENT skill set, but academically you will be a different person after the SMP program.

I have heard good things about Georgetown. However, and this is where I am getting pretty overwhelmed, on the AAMC Site (I cant link yet) for masters programs, there are SIX programs for Georgetown:

• George Mason University/Georgetown University Advanced Biomedical Sciences Graduate Certificate Program
• Georgetown University MS Physiology and Biophysics - Complementary @ Alternative Medicine (CAM) Program
• Georgetown University Regular MS in Physiology
  
• Georgetown University Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
  
• Georgetown University Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program
  
• Georgetown University Georgetown Summer Medical Institute (GSMI)

I would assume it is the Special Masters Program - MS in Physiology that has a great track record, but I dont really know. I mean really what is the difference in the SMP MS vs the Regular MS?

Also, you talked about a graduate vs certificate granting program. Would you be able to explain these to me?


Ps - I havent replied to two posts at once before, so hopefully it works okay 🙂 - EDIT - It worked lol

 

[tammyp]

I have heard good things about Georgetown. However, and this is where I am getting pretty overwhelmed, on the AAMC Site (I cant link yet) for masters programs, there are SIX programs for Georgetown:

• George Mason University/Georgetown University Advanced Biomedical Sciences Graduate Certificate Program
• Georgetown University MS Physiology and Biophysics - Complementary @ Alternative Medicine (CAM) Program
• Georgetown University Regular MS in Physiology
  
• Georgetown University Special Master's Program - MS in Physiology
  
• Georgetown University Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program
  
• Georgetown University Georgetown Summer Medical Institute (GSMI)

I would assume it is the Special Masters Program - MS in Physiology that has a great track record, but I dont really know. I mean really what is the difference in the SMP MS vs the Regular MS?

Also, you talked about a graduate vs certificate granting program. Would you be able to explain these to me?


Ps - I havent replied to two posts at once before, so hopefully it works okay 🙂 - EDIT - It worked lol

I'm gonna PM

 

[cupbored]

I'm gonna PM

Would you PM me information about this as well?

Thank you so much!

 

[sy123]

I'm gonna PM

Hi would you be able to PM me the information about this as well? I'm mainly interested in the difference between the Regular MS and the SMP in terms of applying to med school. Thanks!

 

[rkdsiddl]

I'm gonna PM

Hi, do you mind PM me the information as well?