Bryn Mawr and Goucher

[sasevan]

Just heard about these two programs and am applying to both since they can be completed in one year and have linkage to medical schools.
Was wondering if anyone on here is currently in either program or is a grad of one of them and could give me some feed-back as to their experience and especially as to how the linkage works.
Thanks in advance.

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[Pemulis]

Do a search, and you will find lots of posts about these schools. There was also a thread not long ago about the linkage options.

I recently was accepted at both, and have decided to go to Goucher, so I can't give you the view of somebody who has already been through it, but both programs have fantastic reps, and when I went to visit each I got very positive feedback from the students I met. The bottom line is that they are both competitive to get into (you'll probably need a gpa of > 3.5, plus good SAT or GRE scores, and a good essay and LOR's), but that just about everyone who attends in ends up getting a seat in med school.

Good luck, and PM me if you questions about the app process.

 

[sasevan]

Do a search, and you will find lots of posts about these schools. There was also a thread not long ago about the linkage options.

I recently was accepted at both, and have decided to go to Goucher, so I can't give you the view of somebody who has already been through it, but both programs have fantastic reps, and when I went to visit each I got very positive feedback from the students I met. The bottom line is that they are both competitive to get into (you'll probably need a gpa of > 3.5, plus good SAT or GRE scores, and a good essay and LOR's), but that just about everyone who attends in ends up getting a seat in med school.

Good luck, and PM me if you questions about the app process.

Hi Pemulis,
Thanks for the info and the advise. CONGRATULATIONS on being accepted to both. I just started filling out both applications and getting transcripts, LORs, etc. I'm hoping that I'm not too late for this upcoming Summer.
Again, congrats...you'll be in med school in Fall 2006!!!

P.S. I definitely have a gpa >3.5 but am wondering about what is considered a competitive GRE score.

 

[wilson04]

Hey,
I think Pemulis's comments are pretty accurate. Like him, I just recently applied and got into the programs (I decided on Bryn Mawr, though, mainly due to family in the area). I have done as much research on the two as possible (ie, talked to friends who went to both, read all the stuff on the internet I could find), but unfortunately I have little more than speculation to yield to our discussion.

One thing to mention is that the admissions people probably look for >3.5 GPA, but you can obviously make up for a lower GPA in other ways (ie, good test scores, non-academic accomplishments...etc.). My college GPA wasn't quite so hot - and they definitely drilled me during the interview as to why my GPA was as low as it was - but I managed to squeeze through. Just as for any other application process, if you're weak in one area, you'll hopefully back it up with strength in others. And with a GPA over 3.5 (hopefully from a strong program), you can make up for a couple of holes you might have in your application!

You asked about GRE/SAT scores. This could be way off, but I asked a friend of mine in the Goucher program this same question, and he said a ~1430-1450 SAT and 760-790Q/680-700V/5-5.5W GRE were the approximate scores of what they'd expect. Better scores would help out, obviously...worse scores might hurt. Again, though, don't put too much stock in aforementioned scores, as my friend probably based them on hearing only a couple of his classmate's scores.

So, good luck with the application process. Hopefully you'll make it into both schools...if you do, I guess Pemulis and I can try to persuade you to come to our own respective schools (actually, no, since you have a pretty good GPA, how about you go to his and not kill the curve at mine )

Enjoy!

Hi Pemulis,
Thanks for the info and the advise. CONGRATULATIONS on being accepted to both. I just started filling out both applications and getting transcripts, LORs, etc. I'm hoping that I'm not too late for this upcoming Summer.
Again, congrats...you'll be in med school in Fall 2006!!!

P.S. I definitely have a gpa >3.5 but am wondering about what is considered a competitive GRE score.

 

[sasevan]

Hey,
I think Pemulis's comments are pretty accurate. Like him, I just recently applied and got into the programs (I decided on Bryn Mawr, though, mainly due to family in the area). I have done as much research on the two as possible (ie, talked to friends who went to both, read all the stuff on the internet I could find), but unfortunately I have little more than speculation to yield to our discussion.

One thing to mention is that the admissions people probably look for >3.5 GPA, but you can obviously make up for a lower GPA in other ways (ie, good test scores, non-academic accomplishments...etc.). My college GPA wasn't quite so hot - and they definitely drilled me during the interview as to why my GPA was as low as it was - but I managed to squeeze through. Just as for any other application process, if you're weak in one area, you'll hopefully back it up with strength in others. And with a GPA over 3.5 (hopefully from a strong program), you can make up for a couple of holes you might have in your application!

You asked about GRE/SAT scores. This could be way off, but I asked a friend of mine in the Goucher program this same question, and he said a ~1430-1450 SAT and 760-790Q/680-700V/5-5.5W GRE were the approximate scores of what they'd expect. Better scores would help out, obviously...worse scores might hurt. Again, though, don't put too much stock in aforementioned scores, as my friend probably based them on hearing only a couple of his classmate's scores.

So, good luck with the application process. Hopefully you'll make it into both schools...if you do, I guess Pemulis and I can try to persuade you to come to our own respective schools (actually, no, since you have a pretty good GPA, how about you go to his and not kill the curve at mine )

Enjoy!

Hi wilson04:
Thanks for the info here and in the pm. CONGRATULATIONS on getting into both programs. Thanks too for the reassurance regarding how one weak area may be compensated by several strong ones. I have an excellent academic record, volunteer activities including exposure to medical centers, and expect to have very good LORs as well as essay. However, I'm concerned about my GRE. I took it in 1998 and while I don't recall my scores I tend to believe that my Q score was no where near 760. Keeping my fingers crossed. Again, congrats on starting Bryn Mawr this Summer and med school next Fall.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Howdy folks,

I'm currently in the Goucher program, and in my class there are definitely some stellar scholars with scores around 1500 and 3.8's, I'm sure. Relax, I'm nowhere near that.

When I applied a year ago, the Assistant Director told me the average for the previous class was a 1350 SAT/GRE (they accept either) and a 3.6 from undergrad. And if there are the all-stars that are way above that, you figure there are several below that, too. If you're quite a bit below those numbers, you can still woo them if you convince them of your potential with a nice, convincing story.

Feel free to PM for specific questions.

 

[sasevan]

Howdy folks,

I'm currently in the Goucher program, and in my class there are definitely some stellar scholars with scores around 1500 and 3.8's, I'm sure. Relax, I'm nowhere near that.

When I applied a year ago, the Assistant Director told me the average for the previous class was a 1350 SAT/GRE (they accept either) and a 3.6 from undergrad. And if there are the all-stars that are way above that, you figure there are several below that, too. If you're quite a bit below those numbers, you can still woo them if you convince them of your potential with a nice, convincing story.

Feel free to PM for specific questions.

Hi NapeSpikes:
Thanks for the info/advise. I contacted GRE yesterday and was informed that since I took the test in 8/98 that they no longer have the scores since they discard them after 5 years. So, I may have to re-take it; I'll contact Bryn Mawr and Goucher next week to get some direction. Ultimately, this snaffu may help my score but in the short-term may make it impossible for me to get completed application by 2/05 to either program.
BTW, congrats on getting into Goucher. You must be by now only about a half year away from med school; awesome. Again, thanks and CONGRATS!!!

 

[NapeSpikes]

Yeah, rolling admissions is tricky. I'd say if your SAT scores aren't too bad, apply without the GRE, but if you're like me, you may not have that luxury. The whole point of the scores are to gauge how good a test-taker you are (my advisors say there is a correlation between MCAT and other standardized test scores, among past Goucher postbacs, anyway).

From what I recall, February is usually the busiest month for interviews, though some of my classmates were accepted regularly (not wait-listed) as late as May. And we started early June, yikes.

But definitely, ask the PBPM office about your specific situation when they reopen on Jan 3rd--they'll give you good advice.

Good Luck!

 

[sasevan]

Yeah, rolling admissions is tricky. I'd say if your SAT scores aren't too bad, apply without the GRE, but if you're like me, you may not have that luxury. The whole point of the scores are to gauge how good a test-taker you are (my advisors say there is a correlation between MCAT and other standardized test scores, among past Goucher postbacs, anyway).

From what I recall, February is usually the busiest month for interviews, though some of my classmates were accepted regularly (not wait-listed) as late as May. And we started early June, yikes.

But definitely, ask the PBPM office about your specific situation when they reopen on Jan 3rd--they'll give you good advice.

Good Luck!

Thanks; this info gives me some hope that I may still make it in this Summer. I'm already looking at early Jan dates to retake GRE. My goal has been to get completed applications turned in no later than Feb. So, I may still have a chance. Thanks again and happy New Year.

 

[sasevan]

Hi everyone:
I'd like some straightforward advise.
Contacted BM today and was told to send copy of my 1998 GRE.
Got GRE scores: 630 V, 450 Q, 580 A (obviously not the best but I took it prior to college algebra and didn't study AT ALL for it).
GPA is >3.9 (doctorate in psych)
great exposure/volunteer work in hosp and clinics.
great LORs.
Question is, should I:
1. send in 1998 GRE scores, or
2. retake GRE (probably won't be able to study much for it since I want to send completed application to BM and G by Feb), or
3. wait to retake GRE after studying for it and apply to BM and G next year?
Please be honest...even if its brutally so.

 

[wilson04]

If I were you, I'd go and get a GRE book and immediately take the practice tests. If you do well on those (ie, on the quantitative section), take it again in a couple of weeks. After all, you've since had the math classes needed to do well on the test, so I'm assuming you'll get a better score.

Your verbal score is no problem (don't know what the A represents...writing? analytical? it's not on the newer GRE), but the quantitative score is in the bottom third of test takers, no? Assuming that BM and G look at the GRE, they would probably be very pessimistic toward how you'll do in the physics classes and also on the physical science section of the MCAT.

So, yeah, my 2c say take it again if the practice tests point toward an improvement. Otherwise, apply with what you have. Already having a doctorate with such an amazing GPA has to be worth a lot in the process.

Good luck!

Hi everyone:
I'd like some straightforward advise.
Contacted BM today and was told to send copy of my 1998 GRE.
Got GRE scores: 630 V, 450 Q, 580 A (obviously not the best but I took it prior to college algebra and didn't study AT ALL for it).
GPA is >3.9 (doctorate in psych)
great exposure/volunteer work in hosp and clinics.
great LORs.
Question is, should I:
1. send in 1998 GRE scores, or
2. retake GRE (probably won't be able to study much for it since I want to send completed application to BM and G by Feb), or
3. wait to retake GRE after studying for it and apply to BM and G next year?
Please be honest...even if its brutally so.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Your GRE quantitative score is definitely a red flag, but the rest of your app sounds more than solid. Write a good essay and I'd bet you'd score the interviews. They will, of course, drill you on why that score is so low, but if you tell them you just never had college algebra when you took it and you can convince them you have what it takes now, you're a shoe-in.

In perfect candidness, I say go for it! If you make it to the interview, you survived the numbers game and at the very least they are interested in you.

Retaking the GRE and applying next year could always be your back-up plan.

 

[sasevan]

Hi everyone:
Thanks to all for the advise.
After much consideration I've decided to apply at this time with current GRE scores but to retake it as soon as possible.
Hopefully, if I get an interview, I'll be able to explain why the past low score and provide proof of the new improved one.
Back up will be to apply next year or to go to a local post-bacc program (though that will mean having to do the glide year).
Thanks again to all.
Peace.