drexel upenn tufts

[JPK41]

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Hey,
So I've got a 3.3 gpa 35 mcat looking to go to an smp. I've been accepted to Tufts MBS, Drexel IMS, and Upenn post-bacc. Am I on the right track in going to one of these programs? I'm looking to take med school classes. Any advice? I'm real confused and just looking for some guidance. Any thoughts are welcome! 🙂

 

[JPK41]

also i've applied to med school before, didnt get in, but got 2 interviews. so im looking to improve my gpa.

 

[phantomx87]

Hey,
So I've got a 3.3 gpa 35 mcat looking to go to an smp. I've been accepted to Tufts MBS, Drexel IMS, and Upenn post-bacc. Am I on the right track in going to one of these programs? I'm looking to take med school classes. Any advice? I'm real confused and just looking for some guidance. Any thoughts are welcome! 🙂

Penn doesn't offer an SMP. They're only a straightforward post-bac (no degree when you're done, nor is there a chance to continue onto one). Tufts and Drexel give you the option of completing a second year and getting your Master's degree. Some schools give you an MS after only one year. THOSE are SMPs. Programs like Penn are just post-bacs.

 

[JPK41]

Thanks for the clarificaiton. I don't really care what is an SMP or what isn't - I'm just looking for the best program to help me get into med school, master's degree or not. Are these programs right for me? I'm really just curious if I'm on the right track here.

 

[phantomx87]

I did Penn's program (with MUCH worse numbers that you but really significant ECs) and got into med school. It all really comes down to what you want (region, degree, competitiveness, etc).

Looking back on it (only because I got in), I can say that Penn was the right decision for me. The profs here are absolutely top-notch, and you have a world class hospital system to learn and play in. That being said, I think it's WAAAAYYY too expensive for a program that, up until this past year, didn't offer so much as a certificate for your work. IMHO, I would look to a true SMP. Worse comes to worst, you can continue on towards a Master's degree and have an actual job afterwards (instead of just a nice name on the transcript and $38k indebtedness).

 

[JPK41]

So am I right in assuming that any of these programs will help me get to where I'm going?

 

[phantomx87]

As long as you put in the work, sure. Make sure to be in the top of your class and don't let your MCAT go down (if you end up having to retake for some reason), and you should be fine. Best of luck!

 

[JPK41]

Thanks buddy! I think its going to come down to where I wanna live I guess. How are the courses at UPenn? Wer you a full time sutdent or a night student? The courses are just science courses, not with the med students, am I right?

 

[RedC5]

You already had two interviews so IMHO a post bac will do the trick for you not to mention it will be cheaper. Post bac will also allow for time to do ECs / Volunteering.

BL in whatever you decide. 👍

 

[phantomx87]

Thanks buddy! I think its going to come down to where I wanna live I guess. How are the courses at UPenn? Wer you a full time sutdent or a night student? The courses are just science courses, not with the med students, am I right?

It depends what track you're in (as far as what courses you take). If you were a science major in UG (took all prereqs already), then you'd go into special sciences. This track is pretty much just pick whatever upper level courses you want and go! The pre-health track is for those students that don't have prereqs done (i.e. art history majors). THAT course of study is rigid and structured (take this course at this time, take that course...).

None of your classes will be with medical students. Some may be with other UG students, but mostly (especially the upper-level courses) with other post-bacs. There are specific sections for courses that are JUST for post-bac. The majority of these courses will be after 5PM (mostly run 6-9PM x 1/wk - the ones with lab will run x2/wk).

I was a FT student for a year, but, like i said above, mostly had night classes with the rest of my classmates.

 

[aidama]

So am I right in assuming that any of these programs will help me get to where I'm going?

I chose Drexel for a number of reasons, though I can't tell you how the program is because I haven't started yet. But I'm excited about the opportunity.

Ultimately any of these programs will help you get to where you wanna go (med school!) Choose the program that will make you the happiest and best suits your needs. Work hard and it should help you immensely.

Your MCAT score guarantees you an interview with Drexel as long as you make above a 3.0 in their program (doesn't guarantee matriculation - but you have a good shot).

 

[DeucesHigh3]

since you are right at the border you could afford to do UPenn.

otherwise it would be tufts if you absolutely needed an SMP.

I woudl stay away from drexel ims with the lack of support students get there compared to other places. the only reason i applied a year ago was to please my family but I'm glad I didn't get in and have to go there cuz BU's support and tufts support and UPenn's support and places outside of Drexel are much better.

I had actually heard worse things about the advising at UPenn, but maybe that was during the time when the director was jumping ship for the new Temple program (not sure where that thread is).

I'd crunch my science GPA and see how far it would move with the number of credits you can take at Penn. If that would get you solidly into a competitive range, I'd probably do it. Otherwise, if you'd still be marginal, SMP would be the most bang for your buck in the space of a year.

 

[deleted248403]

Advising at upenn does suck.

I would crunch the numbers on how much your gpa will rise with another year of undergrad classes. If you are 3.3 now, i doubt you'll break 3.45

I'd prob do an SMP if i were u

 

[phantomx87]

I had actually heard worse things about the advising at UPenn, but maybe that was during the time when the director was jumping ship for the new Temple program (not sure where that thread is).

I started my post-bac right as this happen (the incumbent director was the one that interviewed me and let me know that I was accepted, then left 2 weeks later). It really freaked me out at first (had that happen at my UG, and it was UGLY), but the office really seemed to pick up the slack. The lady they hired to replace Grace Hershmann (the old director) came really well recommended from UMDNJ-RWJ, and she wrote me a glowing committee letter.

That being said, there are several things I should point out:
1) I never really took advantage of the advising. I spoke with students that were ahead of me and devised my own schedule that way.
2) Just like any school, some of the advisors absolutely sucked. Know it, accept it, read #1 above, and move on.
3) Dr. Ukachukwu (the replacement from RWJ) left last May/June. Not sure what that says about the stability of the program, but students haven't complained too much (at least, not that I've heard around here).
4) The education and professors (again, just from my experience) are all top-notch. I couldn't have asked for better profs. Organization and class structure was great, and most of the courses were modeled to pretty much parallel to the medical school courses (with one prof boasting that she had an 85% pass rate from past students that took exams to test out of histology in med/vet school).

Bottom line is - just work your @$$ off no matter where you go. Doesn't matter if you get into Penn/Temple/Drexel and you tank your courses. Just get A's and move along.