Evms

[alsaire]

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Oops! I hadn't refreshed the page when I decided to make that edit, so I didn't see your response.

(btw, I need to meet you and buy you dinner or something for being so helpful)

Um...I'll just talk about my edit here I guess, and it directly relates with the advice you gave me.

Although I consider myself pretty efficient when it comes to sleuthing the internet for information, I seem to not be able to successfully "do my homework" as you put it.

My current methods are basically going on the respective schools' websites (which at times are not the best designs, making it even harder to navigate through them and get the information I want). But even then, a lot of those schools don't exactly lay out their advantages or what they are most successful at.

A main question I had from my post above was: are the advantages of a school's SMP different from their medical school?

Should I just go pore over studentdoctor forums to get answers that pertain specifically to each school? Or is there some avenue of research I'm completely missing out on?

(I'll admit I didn't know the answers to any of the questions that you presented to me, which makes me feel horribly embarassed :'(, I think I may just be freaking out a little bit right now...)


Edit: Oh yeah, some of the "benefits" that I have found list some schools like Drexel that will offer their students a guaranteed interview with a certain GPA/MCAT score...but wouldn't that be a horrible reason to tell an adcom officer as to why I want to go?

 

[Melomare17]

just got the letter in the mail today--waitlisted! very fast turnaround though, around 11 days.

anything i can do to get off?

 

[alsaire]

From what I've read, the waitlists are all separated into different categories, by OOS/IS and by male/female...so depending on what category you fall into, you might be able to get off* that waitlist pretty soon (or longer, depending). Good luck!

 

[DrMidlife]

A main question I had from my post above was: are the advantages of a school's SMP different from their medical school?.

The sole metric for evaluating an SMP, imho, is its results in getting low GPA students into US MD schools. SMPs with good results are very public with those results.

Should I just go pore over studentdoctor forums to get answers that pertain specifically to each school?

Bingo. This is the only resource that offers easy access to students of SMPs that I'm aware of.

Extra points for spelling pore correctly.

Edit: Oh yeah, some of the "benefits" that I have found list some schools like Drexel that will offer their students a guaranteed interview with a certain GPA/MCAT score...but wouldn't that be a horrible reason to tell an adcom officer as to why I want to go?

Interview schminterview. Where are their published results for getting low GPA students into US MD schools (including DrexelMcWalmart)? Right, they don't say, or if they do, they don't differentiate MD/DO. (For the record, I have met a real live person who got in US MD from Drexel.)

Enough! Back to EVMS-centric topics! <This is where Go Mascot Name!!! would be if there were an EVMS mascot. With all the obsession with costumes, you'd think it would be a given...>

 

[alsaire]

Enough! Back to EVMS-centric topics! <This is where Go Mascot Name!!! would be if there were an EVMS mascot. With all the obsession with costumes, you'd think it would be a given...>

haha, well alright, my questions were all in the context of my EVMS app though, so we technically never went off topic considering the fact that I'm in the midst of finishing up my personal statement 😛.

I just wanted to clarify...EVMS adcoms *won't* be annoyed/mad/insertadjectivehere if I stated in my personal statement that EVMS has a good track record in getting their medmaster graduates into med school?


EDIT: I looked at EVMS's logo, and it looks like three paperclips tangled together, so I will dub thy mascot: Triclip! (Think of it as an evolution of Mr. clippy from the old versions of Microsoft Word. Intimidating isn't it!)

 

[Melomare17]

From what I've read, the waitlists are all separated into different categories, by OOS/IS and by male/female...so depending on what category you fall into, you might be able to get off* that waitlist pretty soon (or longer, depending). Good luck!

hm im OOS male, is there an advantage if ur in OOS vs IS for waitlists?

 

[DrMidlife]

hm im OOS male, is there an advantage if ur in OOS vs IS for waitlists?

Historically OOS waitlist moves faster than instate (partially for financial reasons I described above - the waitlist is the only place where OOS has an advantage, really).

The waitlist might not move at all before May15, and then it moves a lot. People with multiple MD acceptances have to give up all but one on May 15. That ripples into MD waitlists, which ripple into SMP waitlists.

Best of luck to you.

 

[NJD519]

FYI:

I just came back from visiting the school and thought it necessary to say how thoroughly impressed I was. The faculty and students were incredibly nice, helpful, and kind while the facilities were top notch. Previously I had only seen pictures of the new medical building, but they did no justice as to how nice it really is--and technologically advanced. In addition to this new building, the Brickell building was completely renovated as well. There was also a huge sense of camaraderie among not only the students, but the faculty as well; a great tool in being successful, I believe.

In addition to the campus, the surrounding areas had some pretty nice places. I never knew how cool Norfolk really was until this trip. Also, Virgina beach is very close and super beautiful!

I just thought I would share that with everyone. I took a tour with some of the incoming medical students so if anyone has any questions about the area or facilities I wouldn't mind answering them at all. 👍

 

[Melomare17]

Historically OOS waitlist moves faster than instate (partially for financial reasons I described above - the waitlist is the only place where OOS has an advantage, really).

The waitlist might not move at all before May15, and then it moves a lot. People with multiple MD acceptances have to give up all but one on May 15. That ripples into MD waitlists, which ripple into SMP waitlists.

Best of luck to you.

awesome thanks! i'll keep my hopes up then 🙂

 

[SixStringPsych]

haha, well alright, my questions were all in the context of my EVMS app though, so we technically never went off topic considering the fact that I'm in the midst of finishing up my personal statement 😛.

I just wanted to clarify...EVMS adcoms *won't* be annoyed/mad/insertadjectivehere if I stated in my personal statement that EVMS has a good track record in getting their medmaster graduates into med school?


EDIT: I looked at EVMS's logo, and it looks like three paperclips tangled together, so I will dub thy mascot: Triclip! (Think of it as an evolution of Mr. clippy from the old versions of Microsoft Word. Intimidating isn't it!)

hey Dr. MidLife..I'd also like to know the answer to this question. Im not applying to EVMS or even any SMPs right now but it would be helpful for the future and the answer can be extrapolated to other programs 🙂

Thanks!

 

[SixStringPsych]

Thanks so much for the quick and detailed response, a couple of things though.



What exactly do you mean by doing another year of undergrad? I'm a graduating senior at the moment (Spring 2012 graduation date), so are you saying that you recommend I do UCLA extension for another full year and retake the classes I performed poorly in?

Also, I have been gifted with a rather generous financial situation from relatives which means that I would have a little over half of my med school costs covered, so I am planning to apply to mainly out-of-state schools anyway. Would that change my situation in any way? I'm applying to a bunch of other SMPs/post-bacs too which have later deadlines.

Essentially what I am asking now has turned into a more general question: should I continue to apply to my list of SMPs/post-bacs with the goal of getting into one of them? Or should I stop now and start preparing for that extra year of undergrad/extension (not sure if you're referring to the same thing)? I was hoping for minimal downtime, but it's seeming less and less likely.

What I hope might factor in (for an upswing in grades) is that I received a 3.7 in the fall, and I'm hoping to get something similar for the winter quarter (finals were just this past week).

For reference, these are the schools I'm planning to apply to, and the associated deadlines (I'm going to try to bang out all the apps within a week or two):

Boston University: rolling admissions until July 1, 2012
Georgetown University: May 15th, 2012
GeorgeSquared: June 15th, 2012
Cincinnati: June 1, 2012
EVMS (Virginia): April 1, 2012
Tufts Deadline: July 15, 2012
Temple University: May 15, 2012
Drexel IMS: applications accepted year-round
VCU: July 1, 2012
RFU: June 1, 2012
NYMC: July 1, 2012?
Toledo: May 1, 2012
UMDNJ Masters in Biomed Sciences: June 1, 2012
USC: June 15, 2012

--Non SMPs--
Loyola (Chicago): July 15, 2012 (May 15 soft deadline)
UPenn: July 15
UMich Physiology: April 30, 2012
Case Western Masters in Med Phys.******: June 1, 2012
Mt. Sinai: June 1, 2012
Lincoln Memorial: May 1, 2012
Columbia: June 15, 2012

EDIT: additional question, I apologize: I know this might be a rather dumb question, but I've been trying to research what the strengths are of each SMP program, but it seems rather difficult.

Are these strengths going to be the same as what the medical schools offer? (like...strong cardiovasc background or strong research programs)

Or would their strengths be something different...as I'm looking into more and more SMPs/post-bacs, I'm realizing that I can't apply to all of them and I want to choose which ones that I would like the most. (The main reason is obviously to boost my chances for med school, but the secondary reason is the one I'm drawing a blank at). I can't point-blank tell an admissions officer that I want to use them as a stepping stone, but sometimes the only thing differentiating schools for me is something like their location, or the environment (whether the faculty is helpful or not, etc.), and I'm not sure whether or not those are valid enough reasons.

Also, alsaire, just to tack on to all of Dr. Midlife's questions about your list of programs, just to let you know UPenn's Post-Bacc is just a program that consists of upper-division undergraduate courses (Biochem, Genetics, etc). Although it may also help you, definitely plug away at the apps for those "real" SMPs. From what I've read here on SDN, they will prove your worthiness for med school more than Penn.
I have an interview at Penn coming up, it's a good fit for me because I need more undergrad courses before I go and try to apply to med school/SMPs.

Also, I believe the Columbia program you refer to above is the Post-Bacc Pre Med program which is for career changers only (those who have not taken any science and have not taken the MCAT...aka need to take the pre-reqs). Columbia does have a Post-Bacc program, again, for those who need to take more undergrad level courses after graduating. Just make sure to look more closely at some of these programs. I know it's tough because the information is spread around all over the place and many program websites are unclear, but with a lot of research you'll get the hang of it. 👍

 

[DrMidlife]

hey Dr. MidLife..I'd also like to know the answer to this question. Im not applying to EVMS or even any SMPs right now but it would be helpful for the future and the answer can be extrapolated to other programs 🙂

Thanks!

Which question, the one about saying in an SMP essay that you are attracted to the program because of its results?

I'd suggest mentioning it in terms of reputation. IE, you want to attend a reputable program whose graduates speak well of their experience, yada yada.

Best of luck to you.

Edit: I should mention that I intend to participate in admissions activities, so if you plagiarize me, don't do it w/EVMS. 🙂

 

[clown22]

Dr. Midlife,
I will be attending EVMS SMP unless I get of the MD waitlist at EVMS or VCU. Are the lectures recorded? Are they just audio?

Thanks

 

[SixStringPsych]

Haha oh so I shouldn't mention your SDN handle in my PS? Rats. Do you think EVMS is watching this thread right now...? o_o

 

[DrMidlife]

Dr. Midlife,
I will be attending EVMS SMP unless I get of the MD waitlist at EVMS or VCU. Are the lectures recorded? Are they just audio?

Thanks

Yes, lectures are fairly reliably video recorded. The new building has some kinks that are thankfully being worked out this year.

 

[whatooo]

.

 

[DrMidlife]

I was complete a week or 2 before the deadline, and have yet to hear anything.

Call Leah and make sure they got everything. Be polite and friendly.

Just asking cuz i want to get my AMCAS off sooner than later and it would be nice to be able to put down what im doing next year.

AMCAS can't be submitted before June 5. You have 2 full months to agonize about this. (Or you could choose to not agonize. Just saying.)

Best of luck to you.

 

[DrMidlife]

Incoming med masters who are going to be in Norfolk and/or VB this summer, there may be an opportunity to get substantial volunteer hours in the anatomy lab. There's a small possibility of paid work. Highly recommended if you can do it. PM me for more info.

 

[maxb229]

Is it helpful to live with/near other EVMS students (med master's + MD) during the school year?

 

[medschoolpleez]

I've been searching through this thread and looking at places nearby on craiglist and google, but can't find places that people would really recommend. If there are any places that people know about and would say are good, could you let me know. Also, if anyone else is looking for a roommate, let me know. I'm going up to Norfolk this weekend to check out the school and the surrounding area and see if I can find a place to live.

 

[kmc3830]

I'm also looking for housing next year, and haven't found too much on craigslist yet. I was thinking it would be fun to live with a few MMs or med students in a house next year - I have friends who have done this at other medical schools and it has worked out for them out. It can cut down on costs and you often have more space to come to. Is this common at EVMS?

 

[DrMidlife]

Is it helpful to live with/near other EVMS students (med master's + MD) during the school year?

Whatever allows you to focus on school and stay sane. If you get a crappy roommate, and you have to move while studying for exams, that's not worth the money you save by having a roommate.

I've been searching through this thread and looking at places nearby on craiglist and google, but can't find places that people would really recommend. If there are any places that people know about and would say are good, could you let me know. Also, if anyone else is looking for a roommate, let me know. I'm going up to Norfolk this weekend to check out the school and the surrounding area and see if I can find a place to live.

Email Leah and ask to be connected to a current med masters to show you around.

It's too soon to be looking seriously. Late June is about the earliest you could get something done. Nobody knows now what's going to be available in August. Come June/July the listings blow up in numbers.

If you are not a partier and you want a quiet place to live, get an early app in at Hague Towers or Pembroke. Don't do it if you are noisy, or you don't even know if you're noisy. There are a lot of retirees in the building who will make your life suck if you keep them awake. But both towers are very close to school, rent includes utilities (except internet), and there are a lot of students in there.

For the record, I've had to find housing from a cold start in Norfolk twice. And both times, I found really nice, inexpensive places by obsessively watching Craigslist for Ghent apartments and for rooms/shares.

I'm also looking for housing next year, and haven't found too much on craigslist yet. I was thinking it would be fun to live with a few MMs or med students in a house next year - I have friends who have done this at other medical schools and it has worked out for them out. It can cut down on costs and you often have more space to come to. Is this common at EVMS?

Very common.

Things you can do to help find/spread info:
- create the EVMS SMP 2013 facebook group
- get some of the EVMS MD 2015 group members to join as advisers
- email Leah and ask to be connected to a current med masters
- watch the EVMS accepted threads in allo

Keep in mind that you'll likely have to sign a 12 month lease, but the med masters is a 9 month program.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Agtongue]

Has anyone started a fb group for 12-13 med masters? Thanks, I could not find one.

 

[CodeWright]

So can anyone shed some light on how grading in the medical courses works for medical masters? Thank you!

 

[DrMidlife]

So can anyone shed some light on how grading in the medical courses works for medical masters? Thank you!

Sure. I'm not 100% reliable on this (no one source ever is) but it should be enough for planning. The official rules are here: http://www.evms.edu/images/stories/Student_Affairs/jan2012_student_handbook_final_approved.pdf

Med masters are in the same room with the same syllabus taking the same exams as the med students, except in Embryology which is a subset of Anatomy, which med masters aren't in. (Embryo is sort of filler in the med masters schedule.) Generally an exam curve is determined from the med student scores and applied to the med masters, which tends to work in the med masters' favor, and keeps the med students from going ballistic. Med students are graded honors/high pass/pass/fail based on number cutoffs, in a predictable and documented fashion. Med masters transcripts have letter grades and a GPA, med students have H/HP/P/F, and both conversions are straight off the numbers (or expectations) on the syllabus.

You get all of the data you need, to know what you have to do, on the first day of class, in the syllabus. If you're like me, you'll take that syllabus grading page and spreadsheet it out so that with each exam you are tracking your final grade. Exam scores are sometimes available on the same day, sometimes a few days out, and sometimes delivered electronically. There are course reps for each course, and each course has a rep from the med masters class (which the MMs elect). The course reps collect complaints about question fairness/accuracy, and meet with the course director about a week after the test. During that week, you are expected to review your exam and scores and the key. You have supervised access to the secured copy of your exam, where you wrote your notes etc. The course director sometimes gives piles of points back, and sometimes is brutally unrelenting in the face of overwhelming evidence of an error.

If you get an exam score below the median, you'll get called in to meet with either the course director, or the med masters director, or both. Avoid this experience; you will not enjoy it.

There are usually tons of non-exam points from small groups, lab participation, group exercises etc.

When you get a high pass or honors, you usually have the option of not taking the class again during M1. You have to take Embryology again as an M1, regardless. If you honor or high pass Physiology, you are expected to take it again because if you don't you suffer on boards. You are expected to fill up your schedule with appropriate activities if you honor or high-pass out of an M1 course. Regardless, you have to pay full tuition for M1, even if you mostly just play Xbox that year.

Hey that looks like a lot of info, right? That's the tiniest sliver of an overview. You will be far more of an expert in Grading Politics and Justice than you will be in any med school content.

Best of luck to you.

 

[kmc3830]

I tried to make facebook group, but I couldn't without adding a facebook friend to the group (unless I'm doing something wrong, which is definitely possible!). If you don't mind me friending you and adding you to the group, send me a PM, and I can get one started. Or, if you figure out another way to do it, have at it 🙂

DrMidlife - it seems like the letter grades are based on strict percentages, while the H/HP/P distinctions are determined based on your performance in relation to your peers. Do the H/HP distinctions tend to correlate to specific letter grades med masters receive? For example, if you get an A in the class, does that always mean you will be able to pass out of that class for the next year? Is it possible to get a B and H/HP? Thanks for all of your help and insight!

 

[clown22]

Also, any updates on how this years Med Masters students are doing as far as acceptances?

 

[DrMidlife]

This is the last time I'm saying anything about grades. Please go outside and play, so that you're rested and ready to study. Gaming the grading scale is NEVER EVER going to buy you points that studying for exams fails to buy you. The med masters who do well on exams are out in the sunshine enjoying life, while those who blew off studying are going over exam keys like starved rodents.

More to the point: the faculty and the med school admission folks HATE IT when the med masters are crawling all over them asking "how am I doing how am I doing how am I doing am I getting in am I getting in am I getting in is pass a 68 or 67 OMG I am dying you have to tell me oh god please?!?!?!"

Just f***ing study, people.

DrMidlife - it seems like the letter grades are based on strict percentages, while the H/HP/P distinctions are determined based on your performance in relation to your peers.

Both. Sometimes the syllabus says "70 is passing" regardless of how the exam scores come out - that's a C for med masters, a P for M1s. Usually the exam score curve defines the cutoffs. Read the handbook for excruciating detail if you simply can't wait to see the syllabus. That you get in every class. On the first day.

Do the H/HP distinctions tend to correlate to specific letter grades med masters receive?

H is usually A, HP is usually A-/B+. Think of H/HP/P/F as rounded, and letter grades as being precise.

For example, if you get an A in the class, does that always mean you will be able to pass out of that class for the next year?

No, as I said, you may be given the option to not repeat a class if you get an A. The faculty will review your performance within a course and make a recommendation that's aimed at helping you be ready for boards. If you bombed an exam and recovered, they'll want you to retake, because that bombed exam covers boards material. Point being, it's not about getting out of work, it's about getting through med school with some choices come match time.

Is it possible to get a B and H/HP?

Why, are you looking to get the lowest possible score to avoid repeating a class the next year? Knock it off.

Taking a break from this.

 

[Scribe2Doc]

Hey all,

Accepted an offer for the Med Master's Program yesterday. Really excited about this program and the opportunity to get into medical school with you all! For those wondering here are my stats:

cGPA - 3.6
major (Biology) GPA - 3.5
MCAT - 31P (9, 9, 13)

I also have 1.5 years of scribing in two different Emergency Departments and am in my second year of applying to med schools. Currently on the wait-lists at VCU and EVMS for the second year in a row, but if these do not fall through (again), I will be in Norfolk with you guys in August for sure!

Am I correct in thinking that all med master's students are applying via AMCAS while in the program and send off their primaries in the June(ish) area? Any extra kinks the MM's go through during this process or is it pretty much similar to a traditional applicant?

 

[clown22]

Hey all,

Accepted an offer for the Med Master's Program yesterday. Really excited about this program and the opportunity to get into medical school with you all! For those wondering here are my stats:

cGPA - 3.6
major (Biology) GPA - 3.5
MCAT - 31P (9, 9, 13)

I also have 1.5 years of scribing in two different Emergency Departments and am in my second year of applying to med schools. Currently on the wait-lists at VCU and EVMS for the second year in a row, but if these do not fall through (again), I will be in Norfolk with you guys in August for sure!

Am I correct in thinking that all med master's students are applying via AMCAS while in the program and send off their primaries in the June(ish) area? Any extra kinks the MM's go through during this process or is it pretty much similar to a traditional applicant?

Congrats! We have pretty much identical stats and I am wait-listed at EVMS and VCU as well. Are you IS?

 

[Scribe2Doc]

Thanks! Yeah I sure am. Currently living in Hampton so I'm pretty close to EVMS campus. Went to undergrad at JMU. This is my second time being waitlisted at both schools so hoping they'll fall through this time around.

 

[aspiringmed]

Hey all,

Accepted an offer for the Med Master's Program yesterday. Really excited about this program and the opportunity to get into medical school with you all! For those wondering here are my stats:

cGPA - 3.6
major (Biology) GPA - 3.5
MCAT - 31P (9, 9, 13)

I also have 1.5 years of scribing in two different Emergency Departments and am in my second year of applying to med schools. Currently on the wait-lists at VCU and EVMS for the second year in a row, but if these do not fall through (again), I will be in Norfolk with you guys in August for sure!

Am I correct in thinking that all med master's students are applying via AMCAS while in the program and send off their primaries in the June(ish) area? Any extra kinks the MM's go through during this process or is it pretty much similar to a traditional applicant?

If you don't mind me asking, when was your application marked complete? I'm still waiting to hear back regarding a decision. Congrats to you though, you have great stats (makes me really nervous bc I don't have your grades/MCAT scores sigh).

 

[Scribe2Doc]

My application was marked complete on March 14th, just heard back from them yesterday. It took much longer than the "1-2 week turn around time" which I had heard from multiple sources so I sent an email or two to Leah. In my experience, she has been nothing but friendly and helpful and if you have been waiting longer than I have I think a call or email would definitely be of benefit.

 

[clown22]

Thanks! Yeah I sure am. Currently living in Hampton so I'm pretty close to EVMS campus. Went to undergrad at JMU. This is my second time being waitlisted at both schools so hoping they'll fall through this time around.

Thats nice you already live there. I am gonna have to come down for a weekend and look for a place, but I think i'm gonna wait until June for places to open up and hope I have come of the wait-list by then. Are you planning on moving or just living where u are? Yeah I didn't even get interviews last year at either school, but all this wait-list waiting is so nerve wrecking!

 

[Scribe2Doc]

Thats nice you already live there. I am gonna have to come down for a weekend and look for a place, but I think i'm gonna wait until June for places to open up and hope I have come of the wait-list by then. Are you planning on moving or just living where u are? Yeah I didn't even get interviews last year at either school, but all this wait-list waiting is so nerve wrecking!

No I'll definitely be looking for a place around campus (probably in the Ghent area). I'm close but still about 40 minutes away and going across the water everyday would be hell (you'll understand how terrible the traffic is at both tunnels when you live here!). Especially when I'm expecting to be back and forth to campus all day, it just makes more sense and is worth the extra cost.

I agree this wait-list business is extremely nerve wrecking but I suppose it could be worse. It's just difficult to think about sending off another round of AMCAS primary apps in June when I feel like we could be so close to getting off the waitlists. Gotta keep playing the game I suppose.

 

[kmc3830]

Hi all - the facebook group is up and running: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361357577243645/#!/groups/361357577243645/

Feel free to request to join and add others.

 

[whatooo]

So looks like recently, every year, approximately 4 to 5 of the MM's fail to get into EVMS right after finishing the program for whatever reason. Hopefully they aren't mostly OOSers or anything particularlike that. I know someone long ago mentioned EVMS was switching to being more publicly funded or something.

Anyhow, It seems the like a strong/sufficient performance in the Med Master program in the eyes of the EVMS adcoms is high passing or honoring all the courses or basically getting no C's whatsoever. Like at all SMPs, your're expected to better than the medical mean.

During 1st semester, high passing or honoring your classes seems very doable esp. because you aren't taking one of the core science courses which M1's have to take: anatomy.

But during the 2nd semester, the expectations for MM's seems, in my opinion, seems way more difficult, regardless of the effort one puts forth, because essentially you are taking simultaneously all of the 3 same core science courses as the M1's: Biochem, Physio, and Neuroscience. Yet you are expected to consistently do better in all the classes than the folks who had higher stats than you lol.

Looking far back in this thread, it seems like years ago medical masters at one point didn't take neuroscience during the 2nd semester.

But oh well, it is it what it is. This SMP empirically still produces better results than many other SMPs. And anyone doing an SMP is in that position for a reason. Note that I am an outsider looking in. I'm not in the program nor have I been accepted yet. Any bit of info in this post could be factually incorrect (unintentionally that is). This post also wasn't meant to be a question or to provoke anyone or anything. I'm just sharing my thoughts and reactions after just reading all 37 pages of this enormous thread.

 

[clown22]

So looks like recently, every year, approximately 4 to 5 of the MM's fail to get into EVMS right after finishing the program for whatever reason. Hopefully they aren't mostly OOSers or anything particularlike that. I know someone long ago mentioned EVMS was switching to being more publicly funded or something.

Anyhow, It seems the like a strong/sufficient performance in the Med Master program in the eyes of the EVMS adcoms is high passing or honoring all the courses or basically getting no C's whatsoever. Like at all SMPs, your're expected to better than the medical mean.

During 1st semester, high passing or honoring your classes seems very doable esp. because you aren't taking one of the core science courses which M1's have to take: anatomy.

But during the 2nd semester, the expectations for MM's seems, in my opinion, seems way more difficult/unrealistic, regardless of the effort one puts forth, because essentially you are taking simultaneously all of the 3 same core science courses as the M1's: Biochem, Physio, and Neuroscience. Yet you are expected to consistently do better in all the classes than the folks who had higher stats than you lol.

Looking far back in this thread, it seems like years ago medical masters at one point didn't take neuroscience during the 2nd semester.

But oh well, it is it what it is. This SMP empirically still produces better results than many other SMPs. And anyone doing an SMP is in that position for a reason. Note that I am an outsider looking in. I'm not in the program nor have I been accepted yet. Any bit of info in this post could be factually incorrect (unintentionally that is). This post also wasn't meant to be a question or to provoke anyone or anything. I'm just sharing my thoughts and reactions after just reading all 37 pages of this enormous thread.

I think this is pretty hard to comment on being an outisder and not have gone through the program. First, MM students are not taking Human Development, Patient Interviewing classes, or have the mentor program to show up to second semester. Secondly, The point of the medical masters program is to prove that you are just as good if not better than these M1 students "with higher stats".

Interesting perspective though.

 

[whatooo]

I see what your saying... and I changed my original post. Didn't really mean to say unrealistic, moreso just meant second sem. seems much tougher than 1st sem in terms of doing better than the medical mean. But at the end of the day the program works.

 

[Hoya2011]

I see what your saying... and I changed my original post. Didn't really mean to say unrealistic, moreso just meant second sem. seems much tougher than 1st sem in terms of doing better than the medical mean. But at the end of the day the program works.

I would argue that second semester has actually been somewhat easier (even with the 30-pg thesis, interview, and Neuro/etc). By spring, you have a better sense of how to study efficiently and deciding what works best for you, even if that means seeking out a tutor. It is not so much about doing better than the medical students' mean (although that is expected), but rather proving that you can handle the material and ultimately pass boards/etc.

 

[Daedalus]

I have to agree with Clown22 - no matter how you cut it, the med masters have fewer academic requirements than the M1s (even with the paper requirement). The point of the program is to prove that you can handle the medical school courseload and do well in it. The fact that you probably have lower "stats" than most of the M1s doesn't matter in the slightest. If you (who are, hopefully, highly motivated to get into medical school) aren't able to do better than the M1 average while taking less courses than them (who are already in medical school and the majority of whom are not gunners), then your argument that you can handle and deserve to get into medical school is pretty weak.

^sorry about that long run-on sentence haha

Looking far back in this thread, it seems like years ago medical masters at one point didn't take neuroscience during the 2nd semester.

That was the case when I was in the Med Masters program - we didn't take Neuroscience, but we did take 2 additional courses - one with the PhD students on molecular biology and one with just the med masters on research. The switch to taking neuroscience instead of those courses is a HUGE improvement, believe me, if only because you are taking another medical school class where you are graded against the med students.

 

[Daedalus]

Am I correct in thinking that all med master's students are applying via AMCAS while in the program and send off their primaries in the June(ish) area? Any extra kinks the MM's go through during this process or is it pretty much similar to a traditional applicant?

Yes, you are correct. The "extra kinks" generally involve the fact that some schools won't consider your enrollment/grades in the MM program until you have finished the program (several of the California schools come to mind that have this explicit policy), while others will. The program administration is extremely willing to help you keep the schools you are applying to updated with regards to your progress and grades.

 

[maxb229]

If anyone's looking for a roommate for next year, feel free to PM me. (sorry to take up this thread with that, but I'm off FB)

 

[alexrgross]

Waitlisted, does anyone know how that works?
I am headed into Norfolk in the next week or so, and I would welcome a visit with any current students to discuss the program.
Good luck to those waiting, and congratulations to those accepted.

 

[aspiringmed]

How did people find out about their decisions? Via phone calls or email or snail mail? I emailed Leah on Friday asking about my status. She responded this morning with a simple "please call me" email. I tried calling her throughout the morning, but she is unavailable. I'm getting really nervous because I don't know what "please call me" could mean!??

 

[medschoolpleez]

I was told through email that I was accepted.

 

[alexrgross]

Snail mail waitlisted.

 

[kmc3830]

I was also told via email that I was accepted. Have any accepted students received a packet or materials via snail mail? It seems like relevant forms are posted on the application site, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

 

[clown22]

I was also told via email that I was accepted. Have any accepted students received a packet or materials via snail mail? It seems like relevant forms are posted on the application site, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

You don't get anything in the mail. Just follow the steps and fill out the forms on the page that it shows after you decide to accept your offer.

P.S. Also, join the facebook group!

 

[clown22]

Is there a list of schools that EVMS SMP students are advised to apply to?