Drexel IMS vs Georgetown SMP

[man916]

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Anybody want to weigh in on Drexel IMS vs Georgetown IMS? I was accepted to both. I like Georgetown and I like Drexel. DC may be a little nicer than Phili but I like both spots. I am on a waitlist at one MD program and have an upcoming interview at another school. But I have to send in my depost to one SMP in case I don't get in. Any recommendations? Stats btw: 10/10/10/M 3.52 cum gpa, 3.62 science gpa, coming up on two years of full-time clinical work in orthopaedics, co-author on one publication in orthopaedics, some volunteers stuff.

 

[James Sacket]

Does Gtown offer you anything?

I know that Drexel med school WILL interview everyone who gets B or above in all medical courses and 27+ MCAT.

 

[man916]

No they do not guarantee an interview. However, you do receive a master's after one year.

Does Gtown offer you anything?

I know that Drexel med school WILL interview everyone who gets B or above in all medical courses and 27+ MCAT.

 

[Isoprop]

I'm speculating here, but I believe the actual degree means nothing. Getting that MS probably won't be a gold star on your CV down the road. SMPs have one purpose: to get people INTO professional school.

 

[LoveMyRam]

I'm speculating here, but I believe the actual degree means nothing. Getting that MS probably won't be a gold star on your CV down the road. SMPs have one purpose: to get people INTO professional school.

Having a master's can be a nice addition to your CV when applying for residency programs, especially those of specialties. Just something to think about.

 

[man916]

I completely agree with both of you. I think Georgetown is a little bit more prestigious than Drexel. I don't know how much that will make a difference. I like the fact that at Georgetown you are actually in the class during lectures. Guaranteed interview is very nice as well.

 

[aidama]

You're guaranteed an interview with the stipulation that you have an MCAT with no section below 9 (OP already has a 30), and achieve no less than a B in any of the SMP courses.

keep in mind at drexel of the 130-140 kids in the program, 23 chose to use that option this year (the guaranteed interview).

ofc, i can't tell you the number of people who had to leave because they couldn't handle it, didn't have the qualified MCAT score, or missed the cutoff by a B-, etc.

PS: with your stats, do you REALLY need either of these programs? i would say no.

 

[aidama]

whoops, double post. 🙁

 

[deleted212936]

With your stats, do you REALLY need either of these programs? I would say no.

^ Sensible advice 👍
Remember, these programs are last resorts.

 

[aidama]

^ Sensible advice 👍
Remember, these programs are last resorts.

unfortunately, they are not advertised as such.

OP: I think you were unlucky. Call the schools up after the cycle and see if there something else they would like to see (usually the answer is APPLY EARLIER).

with SMP's the important thing to remember is you're doing medical school. inherently, it not the easiest way to do GPA repair.

good news: it does work for people who need that major repair, but it is NOT EASY and not recommended if your sGPA is >3.3.
bad news: it can hurt you.
1) i know people who found out they couldn't handle it and dropped out early. lost a little bit of money and no real damage incurred except pride maybe.
2) i also know people who stuck around until december and finally accepted they couldn't handle it. not only have you lost the amount of tuition invested, but you're not a medical school student, it MATTERS that you can't handle it. you're screwed.
3) then there are the people who meet all the requirements but get a B- in the nutrition, the most monstrous 1-credit course you'll ever take....
4) there are also people like me who are very happy with their performance, but medical schools play the numbers game, and who cares if you did medical school and did reasonably well when your number just isn't what they're looking for?

please read my review of drexel IMS here.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10561261&postcount=198


tl;dr: if i was you, i would go to neither, reapply, and do something fun for a year (more working, more volunteering).

 

[man916]

btw, this is my second time applying. that's why i'm thinking of doing smp. I could possibly get a research position at NYU doing ortho research. Would that be a better route?

 

[deleted212936]

.

 

[aidama]

btw, this is my second time applying. that's why i'm thinking of doing smp. I could possibly get a research position at NYU doing ortho research. Would that be a better route?

What is your application lacking according to the adcoms: volunteering, clinical experience? Have you not been applying broadly enough? Do you not want to go to an osteopathic school?

I'm not saying it's a terrible option, I'm just saying that it's medical school and no one truly has any idea how they're going to perform until they actually start doing it. That being said, a ton of people in this program are going to osteopathic schools after this year ends. I know a handful that have been accepted to Drexel Med. Many of the second years have been accepted to medical schools.

IMS this year, the average was around 83-84 for every class except Microanatomy, where it was 80.

 

[deleted212936]

What is your application lacking according to the adcoms: volunteering, clinical experience? Have you not been applying broadly enough?

Those are good questions. Try to talk to an adcom member to figure out "what's lacking" on your app.!