Bryn Mawyr vs. U Penn

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Mr. Adventure

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Party People,

I need some hardcore, in-your-face beeotch, raw opinions. I am applying to both programs and would like current post-baccer's views. My hope is to find a program that is very structured with good advisors....
 
Damn, how did that happen. Two posts of the same thread? I feel so embarrased...
 
Speaking as a current Penn student... If structure is what you want, I would NOT suggest Penn. I'm not sure if you would be special science or Pre-Health, but neither seem to be too structured. The philosophy my advisor has always been finding the path that is going to get you to your goals, not following the path that is written on some piece of paper. As you might imagine, you often find students taking 1 or 2 classes at a time, some working some not. At the same time, you'll have students taking 3 classes all with lab, and working a couple hours a week. So... I hope that provides you with some helpful info!


Mr. Adventure said:
Damn, how did that happen. Two posts of the same thread? I feel so embarrased...
 
Yep, I'm talking about Pre-Health. From the handy-dandy brochure I printed off from the website, they make it sound like it's very structured...hmmm. I like Penn because of it's linkage programs, and also, the library looks super cool... any Bryn Mawyr folks out there?
 
Mr. Adventure said:
Yep, I'm talking about Pre-Health. From the handy-dandy brochure I printed off from the website, they make it sound like it's very structured...hmmm. I like Penn because of it's linkage programs, and also, the library looks super cool... any Bryn Mawyr folks out there?


I chose Bryn Mawr b/c the program is more established, it has better/more linkages, classes are during the day and integrated with their undergrad curriculum, and I was v. impressed with the Dean, Jodi Domsky. The Bryn Mawr program has a v. high rate of success and is highly structured. If you screw up an exam or two, the advisors at Bryn Mawr will help you get back on track. The program is definitely do-able in 12 months. Many, many have gone through Bryn Mawr and med schools know what they are getting in their applicants. The program is intense and a big commitment. Everyone is full-time.

If you do what is expected, you will get into med school from Bryn Mawr. The statistics Bryn Mawr lists on its website are real. Partly they do this by being selective up-front in its admissions. Also, a *handful* of people drop out and/or decide not to apply to med school in the end.

Although I liked Penn -- especially the advising Dean I interviewed with-- I didnt like idea of going to school at night with lots of part-timers. I didn't have the same level of confidence that I was going to get into school -- even if I took care of business with grades and MCATs. It seemed less established, more uncertain. However, as I recall, it was significantly less expensive.

If I were going to suggest a peer postbac program to Bryn Mawr, I would look at Goucher's.

Everything worked out for me. I did well enough in Bryn Mawr's program and am now in med school. Happy as a clam.
 
doogie1000 said:
I chose Bryn Mawr b/c the program is more established, it has better/more linkages, classes are during the day and integrated with their undergrad curriculum, and I was v. impressed with the Dean, Jodi Domsky. The Bryn Mawr program has a v. high rate of success and is highly structured. If you screw up an exam or two, the advisors at Bryn Mawr will help you get back on track. The program is definitely do-able in 12 months. Many, many have gone through Bryn Mawr and med schools know what they are getting in their applicants. The program is intense and a big commitment. Everyone is full-time.

If you do what is expected, you will get into med school from Bryn Mawr. The statistics Bryn Mawr lists on its website are real. Partly they do this by being selective up-front in its admissions. Also, a *handful* of people drop out and/or decide not to apply to med school in the end.

Although I liked Penn -- especially the advising Dean I interviewed with-- I didnt like idea of going to school at night with lots of part-timers. I didn't have the same level of confidence that I was going to get into school -- even if I took care of business with grades and MCATs. It seemed less established, more uncertain. However, as I recall, it was significantly less expensive.

If I were going to suggest a peer postbac program to Bryn Mawr, I would look at Goucher's.

Everything worked out for me. I did well enough in Bryn Mawr's program and am now in med school. Happy as a clam.

Thanks doogie, that's what I was looking for!
 
JIKJen124 said:
Speaking as a current Penn student... If structure is what you want, I would NOT suggest Penn. I'm not sure if you would be special science or Pre-Health, but neither seem to be too structured. The philosophy my advisor has always been finding the path that is going to get you to your goals, not following the path that is written on some piece of paper. As you might imagine, you often find students taking 1 or 2 classes at a time, some working some not. At the same time, you'll have students taking 3 classes all with lab, and working a couple hours a week. So... I hope that provides you with some helpful info!


Ok so you just scared me b/c I am getting ready to start Penn's special sci program! Housing at Sansom sucks but I, for some reason, thought the program seemed pretty structured. What specifically is wrong with it?

I am applying to med school right now (using all my letters of rec, including my committee letter, from Rice).
One thing I am worried about right now is that if I wait to apply next year then Dr. Hunter (my advisor at UPenn) does not want me to use the letters of rec that I obtained from profs at Rice (getting those updated would def. NOT be a problem). I have known those profs for years and they know me very well. Give me your thoughts on this too!

I am taking 4 classes (at least this semester...we will see afterwards b/c I might want to move out of Sansom):
1. Chem of the Brain/or Intro to Clin Research in Emergency Medicine I
2. Cellular Neuroscience
3. Cell Bio and Biochemistry
4. Intro to Med Span (115)

Also,
how safe is campus at night?
How easy is it to get a research position?
How much does it snow and how cold does it get (I'm from LA and did my undergrad at Rice in Houston)?
How can I find/get the course syllabus for each of these classes before I go to philly (I just am used to seeing info for classes posted online under their specific course webpage)?
Does the chestnut meal plan last all semester (assuming I eat 3x/day)?
What is the closest major bank to campus (I am with BofA right now but there are not that many in Philly, and the closest ones are not close to campus)?

Thanks much
 
Mr. Adventure said:
Thanks doogie, that's what I was looking for!
Also, look at the money issue. If that isn't a problem, then no worries.


As to riceman, I know a few people who did the Penn program. At lot of people have research positions and only take a class or two at night that I know. Most already have the prereqs done (like yourself I see).

As for research positions, th ey are out there, you just have to apply to a bunch. The penn website has a list of them all. Also don't forget CHOP. If you want a full-time position then you are going to only be able to take like half of that course load.

If you take the Clinical ER class, would you post about it? I was considering taking it next summer if I decided to come back home here.

Syllabus, there is one out there for Clinical ER, i forget how you find it though. If you poke around the ER website there is something there for clinical research. Apparently that program has an EXCELLENT trackrecord for med school admissions. They have a series of classes (only 3 right now). I would take them if I had the chance b/c the experience is amazing, great interview discussion and very few programs have this type of experience. As for the othe r classes, contact the professors.

Banks - big ones here are Commerce Bank (a local one that is open all the time) Wachovia (I believe there is one next to the hospital by the McDonalds in CHOP (sorry, that is children's hospital of Philadelphia. One of the best in the nation 😉 ). BOA just took over fleet which had a presence here. I don't use them though, just have one of their credit cards. Look on their site for different areas. Honestly there are ATM's everywhere in Philly though.

Campus at night (itself) isn't bad. I know a few people who would just take the bus back to center city at night, there's the subway station near by as well. Philly is a city like any other place. Be smart and sensible about things. I never felt threatened during the day and early morning and I was in the shady area between the parking garages walking to campus.

Also Upenn has a pre-med volunteer program. BEWARE: if you don't make the full commitment every week they won't work with your schedule. I learned this the hard way. Being a non-trad student I was kinda pissed b/c I was working full-time and doing my MBA at night full time. I asked ot just put it off to the summer once I started. They told me I couldn't do the program. They are very snobby in there and I found them extremely difficult to work with those who worked. Pretty much most of the people there were Penn/Drexel pre-meds and they obviously had a little more time than me (and also were right in the city! I had a 45 min commute to get there (at least!)).

Anyways, about the program itself, I was going to do it but I'm moving to the midwest to be with my financee. I was goign to do prereqs in Rutgers-camden then do that program while finding a research position. (also look for clinicial research positions as well, not just lab, there are a TON in philly!!!) Honestly the money at bryn mawr isn't something I really could afford. I wasn't applying to MD schools and since you already have your prereqs I wouldn't worry about it. I had also considered drexel's programs as well. I think I might have choosen to do drexels program instead but we'll never know now. If you have any other questions let me know.

I did hear cancer of the brain or some class like that was a bitch. I knew a guy taking classes there. The classes, they make you work. Tell ya that much.

:luck:
 
Hey, I just looked online at the Goucher Post Bac Pre Med program. They have great linkage programs and the curriculum sounds very structured with classes during the day. Sounds perfect. Still have to figure out how I'm going to pay for schooling.... 🙁

On the plus side, I will be getting a $1,000 a month check from the G.I. Bill. Hopefully a private loan here and some federal aid there will cover it so I can be a full time student.
 
Mr. Adventure said:
Hey, I just looked online at the Goucher Post Bac Pre Med program. They have great linkage programs and the curriculum sounds very structured with classes during the day. Sounds perfect. Still have to figure out how I'm going to pay for schooling.... 🙁

On the plus side, I will be getting a $1,000 a month check from the G.I. Bill. Hopefully a private loan here and some federal aid there will cover it so I can be a full time student.
if you are going next fall, apply early and then do the fasfa as soon as its available. Then send it to the schools. That will tell you how much aid is available to you. :luck:
 
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