Drexel MBS vs. Geisinger MBS

[Firebolt_2024]

Hi everyone!

I recently applied to 3 MBS programs and was accepted to all three, Rutgers, Drexel, and Geisinger. I really liked the Rutgers MBS program but I wanted to stay in state (PA resident) so I withdrew my acceptance there.

However, now I am torn between Drexel’s MBS and Geisinger’s MBS programs and can’t decide which one to pick. If anyone has attended either program I would love to hear your insight and how many students ended up matriculating into the medical school, or other medical schools, after completing the program and what the classes are like. I would be attending in person either way.

I was planning on retaking my MCAT and both programs have MCAT prep built into their curriculum. Their cost of attendance is also fairly similar.

Drexel Pros:

• Ranked and well-established institution
• First year of the program is dedicated to helping improve your MCAT Score and the second year is Medical School equivalent coursework (I don’t know if this is taught by the medical school faculty). The first year also counts toward your undergraduate GPA (which I obviously need help improving lol)
• Research required between 1st and 2nd year
• Located in Philly (I love the city and wouldn’t mind living here for 2 years)
• If you meet their MCAT and GPA requirements you will get an interview with the med school
• In case you don’t do well you can switch to a less intensive program with a similar curriculum

Drexel Cons:

• 2 year program, I don’t know that I want to spend 2 years in an MBS program
• I am unsure how their classes are set up

Geisinger Pros:

• Small class size which allows you to get more one-on-one attention from the professors and form connections with them
• Classes are taught by medical school faculty
• MCAT prep over the summer (but I plan on taking the MCAT before then)
• I loved that they have flipped classes which simulate medical school classes
• Faculty/Staff were amazing, their advising seems top notch and I loved the atmosphere
• I loved the building, its beautiful and the technology is up to date
• Surrounded by nature, which I love
• The program seems rigorous but also like you would have a lot of support and they help you find research opportunities
• Affiliations with Geisinger network and in Philadelphia (which I was informed of during their open house)

Geisinger Cons:

• Located in Scranton
• I have heard that only the top 20% of students in the MBS program get an interview with their medical school

Just for reference here are the curriculum sites for both schools:
1. Drexel: Master of Science in Biomedical Studies Program Curriculum - College of Medicine
2. Geisinger: Curriculum – MBS Program
Geisinger Requirements for their MD program for MBS students: MBS and MD Interviews

And the list of schools students went to after completing the program:
1. Drexel: Master of Science in Biomedical Studies Program Graduate Placement - College of Medicine
2. Geisinger: Graduates Success

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

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[cohaduknidra]

I will be straight to point and I might do a larger post about it but do understand that Drexel MBS is a lot more heavy than it seems. It is by no means a GPA enhancer. As a matter of fact, I would say unless you are fully prepared you will probably take a hit to your GPA. Many end up transferring into other programs like Drexel IHS, and even those who finish don't always successfully get into medical school or even get an MCAT score that helps them with their objectives. Overall, if you like Drexel and didn't perform well in undergrad, then go with IHS. If you did well in undergrad and have a bad MCAT, go with IHS. If you did well on MCAT and undergrad, but want an academic enhancer then good luck but I would still go with IHS. By no means is this subjective in it's entirety, feel free to ask former MBS students that are now at IHS. It is probably not worth it.

 

[Firebolt_2024]

I will be straight to point and I might do a larger post about it but do understand that Drexel MBS is a lot more heavy than it seems. It is by no means a GPA enhancer. As a matter of fact, I would say unless you are fully prepared you will probably take a hit to your GPA. Many end up transferring into other programs like Drexel IHS, and even those who finish don't always successfully get into medical school or even get an MCAT score that helps them with their objectives. Overall, if you like Drexel and didn't perform well in undergrad, then go with IHS. If you did well in undergrad and have a bad MCAT, go with IHS. If you did well on MCAT and undergrad, but want an academic enhancer then good luck but I would still go with IHS. By no means is this subjective in it's entirety, feel free to ask former MBS students that are now at IHS. It is probably not worth it.

Thank you for your reply! I guess I kind of misunderstood the program, I assumed the first semester would be more of a slightly difficult version of undergrad and second year would be way more difficult but it's good to know that the program is intensive. I had read somewhere on the forum that over half of the students get admitted to DUCOM while 80% - 100% get accepted to some med school, is that not the case? I did decent on the MCAT but my undergrad science GPA needs work, but I will look into the IHS program regarding a transfer. I would love to read a full write up about it if you do post one please tag me and thank you for the advice