Drexel Program Offerings...Slightly confusing?

[OptimusPrime1]

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I'm looking at Drexel's offerings between IMS, MBS, MPS, and DPMS...and I can't really differentiate between the four. I'm thinking that there are obvious differences, but I'm not sure which program I am a greater candidate for. has anyone done a comparison between programs that would help me to make a better understanding of what each program really differs in? Obviously, I want to get into medical school but i'm not sure which program I should even apply to.

 

[jslo85]

Okay.

DPMS: Their program catering towards URMs supposedly which offers a conditional acceptance to every student accepted (roughly 20-30 i think). Curriculum is more or less like an SMP with medical school classes.

MSP: A program that Drexel apparently created as a stepping stone into their actual low efficacy (my opinion) SMP: IMS. You essentially pay to take mostly grad classes with 1 or 2 medical school classes to "show" that you can handle IMS.

IMS: Drexel's actual low efficacy (again disclaimer, my opinion only) SMP. You take medical school classes except you aren't allowed to take them with the medical school students. You take the classes at either a) sacramento (new site) or b) from the PA campus' for IMS students which is rather ghetto and second rate compared to Queen's lane and listen to live feeds from the queen's lane campus for the medical students because you aren't allowed to set food there. Professors will occasionally swing by to give review sessions though. There is a guaranteed interview though this has been regarded by many members here as a "carrot on a stick". About 25-30% of the IMS class will receive these, not sure on the actual #s that get accepted though I think i've seen 10-20% of those interviewed get accepted floated around somewhere.

Honestly (my opinion again) I would look elsewhere. If you're limiting yourself to Philadelphia, I would probably look at UPenn SSP or Temple ACMS as better options. DU's programs are pretty low efficacy compared to many of the other programs out there and their linkage is pretty darn low.

 

[aidama]

I'm looking at Drexel's offerings between IMS, MBS, MPS, and DPMS...and I can't really differentiate between the four. I'm thinking that there are obvious differences, but I'm not sure which program I am a greater candidate for. has anyone done a comparison between programs that would help me to make a better understanding of what each program really differs in? Obviously, I want to get into medical school but i'm not sure which program I should even apply to.

MSP: First year is graduate courses and MCAT prep, second year is the MS-1 courses. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a "stepping" stone into the SMP as much as I would say that it's designed for people who have lower MCAT scores and need time to address that while simultaneously taking graduate level courses. Then, once you've locked down your MCAT, you can choose to spend your application year doing the IMS program.

IMS: Drexel's SMP. First year you take MS-1 courses and the second year, if you chose to do it, will give you a masters. It's true that there is questionable linkage; there are definitely other programs that have guaranteed linkage into their COM. It's also true you aren't allowed to physically attend class with the medical students, but if the majority of them eventually stop physically going to class anyway...does it matter? I chose this program because I have a decent MCAT score and a decent GPA, and needed something that can potentially push me out of the dreaded twilight zone.

If you are deciding on a post-bac program, ask yourself, what are your long term goals? Where do you want to be living during that year? If specifically you are looking at Drexel, what do you need to work on more? Philadelphia's a great place to live. There are lots of schools here to choose from. Pick the one that best fits you and your needs.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

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[aidama]

Seems Drexel has a program for every one. I have a low GPA(2.6) and I was told by them they can take me in MS for Forensic Science and students who really did very well(I assume 3.5+) in the program have made it to med school.

Is it true or schools trying to make monies on the plight of pre-med students who couldn't do well in the past? Like, they got program for every student for all kinds of GPA and all are promised that if you do well you will make it to med schools ... I sense the same for those fleeing abroad for med schools.

Promise? Drexel doesn't use that word, so why are you? They state that if you do well in their programs, you should be a more competitive candidate for whatever health professional school you are applying to. Which is true. But this is also true of any post-graduate work. No post-baccalaureate program promises you anything other than successful completion of their program will make you more competitive applicant on one aspect of your application (GPA).

The exception is a program that guarantees linkage, for example, like Temple AMCS. Drexel doesn't promise that. If you are doing the IMS program, they will guarantee you an interview with a certain MCAT score, but that does not mean guaranteed admission to their COM.

Are they trying to make money? Sure, what college doesn't want more money? Are they preying on your misfortune? No. Are they preying on students who can't handle the program and the workload? I can't answer that, and neither can they. It is a students choice to enter a program. Drexel has a support system to aid students.

Choose what program you want to go to and spend your money on wisely. In any post-bac program, work hard. It should help.