Bio Masters vs Barry SMP

[irieblue]

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Hey all,
So....I was accepted into the Barry U SMP 18 month program for this spring but I already have a couple of standard bio grad classes under my belt from my Alma mater that I would be able use to complete a traditional bio masters. I've been so set on attending the SMP that I never considered the advantages of just a standard bio masters.

1. I would be able to get a graduate assistantship that basically pays for everything
2. I would have real training in lab techniques that may be useful at some point in my medical career (I'm considering translational medicine.)
3. I would have a degree that adds to the breadth of my knowledge rather than just a prep program for medschool

Of course the trade off is that I'm not sure how big the difference would be between the two programs in terms of getting me into medical school

Also I am SMP material in terms of a decent MCAT and low GPA. SO .... the question is to SMP or to BIO?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

thread moving in 4....3.....2....

 

[irieblue]

Well I'm new so I may be wrong but this is neither a what are my chances or school specific thread so I'm not sure where else I was supposed to post it...

 

[J ROD]

The Masters will not bring your undergrad GPA up. That appears to be your problem for MD school. The SMP is like a last chance to show your undergrad GPA is low for other reasons than your intelligence. The SMP is like a redo on the undergrad.

The SMP would be better out of those two.


I would recommend doing an informal postbac (like trying to get a second BA/BS). It would raise the GPA and cost less.

However, it may take a couple of years and alot of work to raise the GPA.

SMP cost more, less time, and you have to do well or that is it!!

 

[irieblue]

Yeah but if I take a rigorous full time master's then wouldn't it display that I'm intelligent organized and motivated in the same way an SMP would? My understanding of SMP's is that in the good ones you're taking medical school classes which can show more accuaratley if you're capable of handling medical school. So the real question is if this advantage is really that big that its worth going into debt for when I can do something similar for free

 

[J ROD]

The Master will not fix the undergrad. Show potential but you will still have that low GPA in undergrad. Almost everyone does well in grad school!

SMP would at least fix the lower GPA problem, but it usually is alot more expensive than taking undergrad classes. But, the postbac work will take longer.

The Master is a waste of time in my opinion. It would be a nice extra but you need to fix the undergrad GPA first and foremost.

Read the chances forum and non-trad forums.....

 

[shouldvestudied]

I don't understand why people assume a Masters Program gives out easy A's. I took 4 graduate level Neuroscience seminars during my undergrad and only saw a hand full of people get A's in them.

 

[J ROD]

I don't understand why people assume a Masters Program gives out easy A's. I took 4 graduate level Neuroscience seminars during my undergrad and only saw a hand full of people get A's in them.

Most folks I see have a 3.5+ GPA. But, it really depends on the school and the program you are in.