Drexel IMS vs. EVMS Med Masters

[woozy]

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Hey everybody,

I've been accepted to both SMP's so far and I'm trying to figure out which of the two would be better for getting me into an MD school. I've read just about every single post with the words "Drexel IMS" and a majority of the posts regarding EVMS Med Masters since their initial increase in class size. Some of these posts dated way back to 2007 and much has changed in both of the programs since then.

I am a California resident and have a cGPA/sGPA both <3.0 with a 29 MCAT. Strong upward trend of 3.7+ in the last year of undergrad. Planning on retaking the MCAT this summer. Lots of volunteer/shadowing hours, decent leadership, decent research, no publications.

The reason I'm posting a new thread is because I want your informed opinion on each of these programs in their current state. I'm aware that in the past, EVMS has had a high matriculation rate from their Med Masters into their MD program. However, it seems like the general consensus is that those days are gone and the program is no longer "worth it" ? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I've read mixed reviews about Drexel's IMS program. One plus to this program is that they have a location based out of Sacramento that I would be able to commute to and live from home. It's also a lot cheaper. The streamed lectures don't bother me too much. I'm more concerned about what will happen after the program, assuming I do very well. Aside from the guaranteed interview, how much success has Drexel's IMS program had in terms of matriculation into other schools?

In other threads, many people rank both EVMS and Drexel last in terms of SMP preference. This is mainly why I'm posting this thread, as I'm not sure which program to attend since not very many people recommend either. If that's the case, what would you recommend I do?

I've applied to a few other SMP's as well. Waitlisted at Cincinnati and Georgetown, waiting to hear back from Tufts, Boston U, and Rosalind Franklin. If there are any other SMP's that I haven't listed and you recommend, please let me know.

Thank you for all your help in advance.

 

[DrMidlife]

For California you should definitely take more undergrad before looking at an SMP. Even with a successfully completed SMP, your undergrad numbers will sink you.

 

[KDneuro]

I'm in pretty much the same boat as woozy, but not a california resident. What might you recommend then?

 

[DrMidlife]

Consider an SMP after you've done everything you can possibly do to produce a compelling med school app. If the only thing left that you can't do anything about is your undergrad GPA, then an SMP makes sense. But for the love of all that's holy don't do an SMP unless you've already figured out how to consistently get A's in hard undergrad science courses. An SMP is a stupid way to find out that you just can't crack that problem.

If you've done 4 years of undergrad, then your cheapest and most effective option is to do more undergrad. If another year or two of undergrad won't get you up over 3.0, then you are way off the reservation and there is no cookbook other than to keep getting lots of A's and not quit. My comeback from a sub-3.0 in '09 would probably not get me into a US MD school now.

The cumulative undergrad GPA number is HUGE. It sticks out on the first page of the app for reviewers to see quickly, and you're done before you start if that GPA starts with a 2.

SMPs that will let you in with an unredeemed sub-3.0 or a weak MCAT are not doing you a favor. You're doing them a favor by not understanding what they're selling you.

Speaking of weak MCAT, there's a lively discussion in the nontrad forum right now on the news that 33 is the US MD matriculant median for MD17. The MSAR says its true. Point being, don't sit on a sub-30 along with your sub-3.0 and think you're fine.

Best of luck to you.

 

[gandalf1]

@DrMidlife or anyone else that can answer , if the GPA is between 3.3-3.5, MCAT is between 31-34, and basically everything else for a compelling app is completed (I fall under this category as do other SMP apps I'm sure), how would you compare the two schools this year?

 

[doktorcardinal]

.

 

[DrMidlife]

@DrMidlife or anyone else that can answer , if the GPA is between 3.3-3.5, MCAT is between 31-34, and basically everything else for a compelling app is completed (I fall under this category as do other SMP apps I'm sure), how would you compare the two schools this year?

Honestly with those numbers I would hope to get into a better program.

If you are trying to get into the host med, I'd say EVMS is still the way to go.

Unless you're a Virginia resident, this is not very good advice. Odds of EVMS MD acceptance are too low, and out of state cost of attendance is too high (roughly $350k for MD18).

...but it is anticipated that the number of people go to into EVMS med will remain the historical 30-40.

There is no history of "30-40". The record is 32, from last year's class size of 40. Before that: 22/28, 20/23, 18/23. There is absolutely no information or reliable prediction for the fate of the current class of 66, other than the 2 students who have non-EVMS acceptances and dropped out of the med masters.

As I've said elsewhere, the fundamental concern with EVMS MM is that the last 2 classes of incoming students were not clearly advised of the intentions nor the immediate plans for the program, not before starting, not during classes, not after graduation. There is a profound disconnect between the top priority of premeds ("will this program reliably get me into some US MD school, such as EVMS, on a predictable timeline?") and the top priority of EVMS program designers ("are graduates of this program generally more qualified for an eventual career in the health professions?"). Drexel has been offering programs with generalized good intent for over a decade. EVMS is new to this.

Best of luck to you.

 

[gandalf1]

Thank you, that was very helpful! I also hope to get into other programs, but in the meantime Drexel looks like the slightly better choice for me.

 

[PuffyCheeks]

Honestly with those numbers I would hope to get into a better program.

Unless you're a Virginia resident, this is not very good advice. Odds of EVMS MD acceptance are too low, and out of state cost of attendance is too high (roughly $350k for MD18).

There is no history of "30-40". The record is 32, from last year's class size of 40. Before that: 22/28, 20/23, 18/23. There is absolutely no information or reliable prediction for the fate of the current class of 66, other than the 2 students who have non-EVMS acceptances and dropped out of the med masters.

As I've said elsewhere, the fundamental concern with EVMS MM is that the last 2 classes of incoming students were not clearly advised of the intentions nor the immediate plans for the program, not before starting, not during classes, not after graduation. There is a profound disconnect between the top priority of premeds ("will this program reliably get me into some US MD school, such as EVMS, on a predictable timeline?") and the top priority of EVMS program designers ("are graduates of this program generally more qualified for an eventual career in the health professions?"). Drexel has been offering programs with generalized good intent for over a decade. EVMS is new to this.

Best of luck to you.

Question: if you have already done one year of a post-bac certificate program in Drexel (MSP), would it be advisable to try another such as EVMS? or better to continue at Drexel into their MBS/IMS year? regardless of the % of acceptance for each.

I do know at Drexel there are tons more of applicant pool (MBS, MIHS, IMS - all programs with about 30 or more people) from that reserved 25 seats promised between these programs. But I guess from what I am reading here, EVMS acceptances are from their pool of one program the MMS? is that correct?
Thanks in advance for any advice and help.

 

[DrMidlife]

EVMS acceptances are from their pool of one program the MMS? is that correct?

EVMS has just one medical masters program, yes, but there is no stated agreement for any of those students to get MD acceptances at EVMS.