Drexel IMS vs PCOM Biomedical Sciences

[tribe09]

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I'm currently trying to decide between PCOM's Biomedical Sciences program and Drexel IMS. I'm not sure about PCOM because im not positive i want to go to an osteopathic school and Drexel becuase i don't like the idea of having to watch broadcasted lectures. What do you think.

 

[TyrKinase]

I'm a student in the IMS program and to be honest, I was a little concerned about the simulcast from Queen Lane (where the medical school is located) to Hahnemann (where your home AKA Lecture Hall B is located). It turns out that it's a fine setup and that you're not really missing out on anything.

For some of the review sessions (Biochem I comes to mind), the professors will come to Hahnemann and give in-person question and answer sessions. Also, the simulcast videos are posted online so that you don't actually have to be in class if you don't want to. That comes in handy when it's below freezing outside and you'd rather not make the hike to campus.

 

[plausible]

Both programs are well known in the philly area, so if you want to goto a med school around here, you can't go wrong with either one.

I'm a biomed student at PCOM, so you can ask me whatever question you have about the program. And TyrKinase is right, watching lectures on a monitor isn't a huge deal (unless you ask questions in class). I think your decision, as generic as this may sound, will come down to fit. I went to visit both drexel and PCOM, I just felt PCOM "fit" better with me. Try to visit the 2 schools if you can, and try to get a student to take you around (the admissions office usually can arrange something).

By the way, PCOM gives all biomed students who apply to their school an interview for their DO program, i'm not sure what IMS gives, but i'm sure TyrKinase can chime in.

Also, there are quite a few threads on drexel's IMS and PCOM's biomed programs. I know, I've done quite a bit of searching myself last year. Good luck

 

[TyrKinase]

That's a sweet deal at PCOM! In order to land an interview at DUCOM, an IMS student must have:

• Bs or better in every class (Yes, a B- in the one unit nutrition course can disqualify you)
• MCAT of 28 or better (although this might be changing) with no subsection score lower than an 8.

I hope this isn't obvious, but scoring a B (== medical school mean) is no simple feat. That being said, I think about 30 of the 120 IMS students earned a guaranteed interview this year. The other 90 either had incompatible IMS grades or an insufficient MCAT score.

Also, landing an interview does not equal landing an acceptance. I have plenty of friends with mostly As and an A- or two and they have been waitlisted. It's a great program that will undoubtedly prepare you well for medical school, but it's not a straight shot into DUCOM by any stretch of the imagination.

Edit: Also, a number of students who don't land an acceptance at a medical school will stick around for the MMS year. Many of those (very qualified) students will end up attending osteopathic medical schools for a variety of reasons. Certainly, some are allopathic hopefuls but don't get any love even with a very solid (>3.5 GPA) IMS/MMS performance . Something to keep in mind as you weigh the MD v DO option after your SMP year(s).

 

[tribe09]

Thanks so much for the information. Right now im leaning towards Drexel. My next question is when should I start to apply to med schools. My adviser basically told me not to apply this year and plan on staying a second year at Drexel based on my 3.08 GPA or to only apply to DO schools.

 

[plausible]

Ah yes. I too have a low GPA (2.9). When I talked to Drexel last year, they told me the same thing (i'll have a lag year). My wife and I decided against the lag year and so I did the biomed program. I applied for the DO program at PCOM the first semester I was there. I've interviewed since then, and I'm waiting to hear back if I was admitted. Certainly, if I don't get in to the fall DO program, i'll have a lag year anyhow...

I think you should apply to med schools that will take into consideration that you are in a post-bac. Try to get a hold of the schools you want to goto and ask them.

 

[TyrKinase]

Another note about the guaranteed interview at Drexel via the IMS/MMS route: If you have a sufficient MCAT score and earn Bs or better in all courses, you have only one guaranteed interview even if you apply to Drexel a second time (say, during your MMS year).

If you apply to Drexel Med during your IMS year and earn an interview, they don't 'owe' you another interview during the MMS year, even if your grades and MCAT are good. Just something to keep in mind if you're thinking about pursuing the "lag" year and want your best shot at Drexel Med.