I too was a SAPP-er(for lack of a better term) and I would do it again in a heartbeat for several reasons.
1)It gave me a chance to begin school a little early, with no pressure, but also gave me a good idea of the intensity that school was gonna bring(as I was out of school for two years before begining COMP)
2)I met classmates early, and actually get settled into a study group, that for the most part carried on for the 2 years I was there.
3)I got to meet my "professors to be" Dr. Leo included(I echo Doc Martin about him), and got a lot of one on one attention
4) We were taught by the new 2nd years who had just been through everything that I was about to begin, and gave us PLENTY of hints, tips and mneumonics for remembering the tedious amount of anatomy minutia(sp?)....I am sure all SAPP people recall...Sally and those "filthy mattresses" and Texans "affinty" for Cold beer. Not that you can't and won't get these at other places...but you can get a preview and jump on things you will have to know in great detail.
4)There was no attendance policy, and there was no stress...for me, and I think many others...it was quite an eye opener of things to come
5) As of last year they added a Pharm component, and also a biochemistry component(this is the ONE class you DO NOT WANT TO FAIL)...granted you will not learn pharm or biochem, but a med school level introduction to the subjects is probably different than past experiences with the topics.
I think people enter med school at different levels, in different places and certainly with different levels of preparedness...so different people have different needs...
I moved from the East Coast...and found the extra time in Pomona, as well as the 3 week ease into classes invaluable, and still to this day am GREATFUL to Dr.Leo, and the now 4th years who spent part of their summer to teach us.
We have no vested interest or goal in promoting the course..just sharing our experiences....
Just a side note, SAPP was soo popular last year that it closed out and people were turned away...so if you are interested and are fortunate to have gotten accepted already....it is worth seriously thinking about.
Best of Luck to you all...whatever you decide to do!!!