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My experience has been a mixed bag of emotions with mostly a pleasant/satisfactory feeling of being in the right place for my goals. By mixed, I mostly mean that it's been sort of stressful in my own personal life balance and perception. Grad school is definitely no walk in the park, and you'll likely spend the first semester finding your flow, strengths and weaknesses, limits, etc. It'll teach you a lot about yourself. The program moves extremely fast, with them throwing more information than you've ever probably taken in and,truly, without a whole lot of time. Solid time management is paramount to your success in the program along with your grit! You will mostly definitely be stressed but if a medical professional career is your true passion, than you'll be able to manage it at the end of the day. Just take each day as it comes. The first year will be the hardest year so expect that. In general, I'm very pleased as I expected the caliber of teaching from a prestigious school like Case Med Grad. It's a ton of work, but I feel like I will be light years prepared (as compared to my future non-MS 1st year med school cohorts) since this grad program's physiology can dramatically change the way you think, scientifically.
The atmosphere is NOT competitive and they make that actually known during orientation; nor is the grading system set up in such a way. They WANT you to succeed, and although they don't make it easy, they generally want you to earn your As and show med schools that you can handle them. My class is huge, so I've only befriended a handful of ppl and they've become my small study group which is critical in this program IMO.
You're assigned an academic adviser. Mine is helpful in many ways (helping me navigate each block and it's nuances), and in some ways he's not. Between talking to ppl, sounds like every adviser is just a different person and it's hit or miss depending on what you want out of an adviser. In the end, I do listen to my adviser but choose what's going to best for me.
In re: to extracurricular, I actually haven't dipped into it yet. I was going to this semester, but honestly the work load keeps me so busy I'm going to concentrate on my grades and wait until my second less-busy year to tap into it (essentially you have the range to do what you need to do). There isn't an intuitive system for finding an opp per se, but Case is ground zero for medicine plus we regularly have MDs/research doctors come in and talk to us for lectures. I'd say it would be fairly easy to connect with anyone after class (and they usually drop their emails) and grab an opp. There also seems be a known "tell 'em you're a Graduate Med Phys student" advantage thing with the medical professionals here, so that supposedly helps.
Not sure where you're from @ep2017 but depending on what you're use to, Cleveland could be anything! I come from the Pacific Northwest so to me it was sort of polarizing to be here at first. I've definitely acclimated in some ways but in reality I couldn't see myself staying here beyond this program or the function of it or for anything outside the possibility of going to its med school. The city isn't unbearable of course, but I just really miss my home and it's more "culturally-welcoming" spirit. I live right in the heart of the neighborhoods near Case and love my area but beyond that, there isn't much curb appeal to this old looking city. Though in pockets the city is really trying to come alive in this century.
If you have any other (specific) questions feel free to PM me! I'm glad to help and give you some insight
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Just got accepted yesterday! I'm so excited! I'm still waiting to hear back from a few other places, but this one is definitely high up on my list. I've heard great things about this program, but honestly, I'm from Cleveland and, though I love my hometown, I'm not 100% sure I'm ready to move back.
Accepted! Waiting on a few more schools but i'm really excited about this program
what were your stats if you dont mind sharing? and where else did you apply?? i appreciate it!!!Just got accepted yesterday! I am definitely enrolling in the program!
Good luck to all those waiting to hear back
what were your stats if you dont mind sharing? and where else did you apply?? i appreciate it!!!
What all have you heard?Hey everyone! I submitted my application on 03/02 and hasn't been marked yet. I have heard so many good things about this program that I cannot wait to hear back from them and hopefully gain acceptance! Is anyone planning on going to the open house next month?
My stats are 3.2 cgpa / 3.4 sgpa / 504 mcat
A week ago I emailed Dr. Nosek asking about my application and he forwarded it to Benjamin Reece. Friday 17th Benjamin emailed me saying that my application was forwarded to the committee and I haven't heard anything more up to this date. I am a little worried because everyone has said they got back to them quickly but perhaps they are just processing more applications at this point in the cycle.
That is worrisome. I want to do this program to improve my credentials and chances of admission to med school but if undergraduate gpa would still get me screened out then it makes me doubt if the program is worth it or not...Just so you all know, after speaking to the director the was very blunt, but nice! He said ~ 50% if the students got into a medical school last year. (We didn't talk about other professional programs so I'm pretty sure overall there are way more than half getting into some program) He said only 2 or 3 students from the Masters program get into Case Western b/c it's really competitive and case weighs heavy on undergrad GPA.
I thought would share this. It sort of made me think twice because I know for sure my undergrad GPA is not competitive. But he said it's still possible for me to get in to their school if I do well.
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Yeah it definitely kinda made me think for second. And yeah I have been. I got accepted to another Masters program at William Carey.That is worrisome. I want to do this program to improve my credentials and chances of admission to med school but if undergraduate gpa would still get me screened out then it makes me doubt if the program is worth it or not...
Have you considered other programs?
That is worrisome. I want to do this program to improve my credentials and chances of admission to med school but if undergraduate gpa would still get me screened out then it makes me doubt if the program is worth it or not...
Have you considered other programs?
Is this program do-able to be able to get a 3.5+? Only 50% of the students getting into medical school is a bit worryingCurrent MS student here, feel free to ask questions if you've got any.
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A average in all of their classes?It's definitely doable! But, you have to be able to put in the hours to do the work. Over half of my class had an A average at the end of last semester, so performing well is within reach.
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Nice, so for the core courses for the first year, how many courses is that? We can Pm if you want to as to not clog up the thread.@Kojo90 I can't speak to the MCAT, as I'm not prepping for that. There are MCAT sessions, though, which I believe start pretty early in the fall semester.
The A average is only in reference to the core courses. We aren't told how many people choose to take more than the core classes during the first year. It's highly encouraged to not take any electives, but I know of a few who did/are, and even though they're pretty much studying all the time it seems like they're doing well.
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Thanks for the offer! Can you speak a little about how people study for the MCAT while in the program?
Current 2nd year here! The first years have definitely been accurate, there's good and bad parts to the program. One thing I want to make clear though: if you are doing this program to get into Case, this program should not be your priority. The only people I know who made it had exceptional scores or should have made it to MD schools on their own accord.
Overall, it definitely helped me and many of my friends get into medical school. Let me know if you have any questions!
I think you will be fine. A good GPA means you can retake MCAT and be good to go.I am also applying to this program, but I will have to wait until June to complete my application and I'm kind of scared I won't get in because I am applying so late and I have a very low MCAT but I do have a somewhat competitive GPA
Sure! Since your first year is so rigorous, few people study during the school year. You will take your NBME shelf exam in May. I took the MCAT in June, and because I was already focused and in the studying zone, it was very easy to transition and become very productive until my test date. It showed in my score.
Now, some people studied over winter break and took it in January and came out fine. but they didnt really get a chance to unwind after first semester or relax during break. I would suggest taking the test after your first year, as you will have all the knowledge you need at that point. Some people also take it during the second year, but they typically apply a cycle later.
I spoke to Benjamin Reece and he told me to wait to take the mcat again.. He said after you complete the program you will be more prepared for the MCAT. So I'm taking the gre later this month instead of the MCAT.. I recently heard/applied for this program, fingers crossed.
I didn't do very well on the MCAT (just got my score back), but the rest of my application is fine. Will that hurt my chances? Should I just take the GRE instead??
I also turned down an offer of acceptance today, heading to Georgetown instead. Good luck to everyone waiting to hear back!
Just out of curiosity, what led you to choose other programs?I made the tough decision of rescinding my offer. Hopefully someone on the waitlist will be able to get my spot now though!
It truly was a tough decision, and under different circumstances I would've taken the offer, but it came down to a number of reasons.Just out of curiosity, what led you to choose other programs?
M.S. graduate here who is applying to med schools this cycle. If you have questions, please let me know.