I thought I'd post some responses to questions I have been asked from people accepted into the program.
1. Why did you choose EVMS, especially as a CA resident?
I chose this program over others because it truly is the best one when you look at all the facts. If you want to get into a med school in a year and your GPA is beyond saving (I had a 2.9), this is the best place to be by far. Only one other program has a success rate even comparable to EVMS's one year out success rate (the Tulane ACP but you have to be waitlisted at a med school to even apply). EVMS's program is small and not just an extra source of financing like the Boston University, Rosalind Franklin University, and Georgetown programs are. You really get a 1 on 1 interaction with them that no other SMP can offer (ie histology lab, biochem small groups, physio labs, topics in biomedical sciences, thesis, research techniques, ccbp). Coming in from a large state school, where I didnt even know my professors names or be able to even recognize them if I walked passed them, this has been an interesting change. The program is also relatively cheap and the cost of living being cheaper than most areas. With my GPA, I really have no shot at any CA med schools or most US MD schools in general. With EVMS's grading system, I can demonstrate how well I have done relative to my classmates and the current M1s. As a med student, they have an honors, high pass, pass, marginal pass grading system so if I do well, residency programs will be able to see that and I will hopefully be able to get a tough residency spot.
Did you have any other choices and why did you choose EVMS over other SMP programs?
I got into the BU and RFU program. They seemed quite reluctant to answer my questions and I really couldnt find out that much about the programs, either through their websites, SDN or contacting the staff directly. The information I did get didnt make me confident that these programs would help me out with my specific problem area.
I felt that if I did the BU program, I'd have to sacrifice 2 years and a ton of money becuase my GPA is so bad. While dealing with BU, it seemed like they could care less about the students in the program. I did not have a pleasant experience with them at all.
I think the RFU program is also new for this year but the previous program had a high drop rate thus creating a misleading statistic about its success rates. North Chicago is not Chicago and its much worst than Norfolk. That school is a total money ploy. Their med master program is huge (<140) and has a big drop out rate. I think its like 40% of the class doesnt finish. The school is a total business money making scheme. They call it the Chicago Medical School but its not even in Chicago! Its like almost an hour north. The reason their California residency rate is so high is because a ton of Californians go there. EVMS doesnt have a lot of Californians (maybe 4 a year) but still places the ones who want to go back into good residency spots. EVMS also has much higher average board scores (ranked in the top 15). I'm not sure if RFU places people into "good" California residency spots in tough specialties.
I've been told the following but it remains to be proved for me: Once you're in at EVMS, they want to keep you here. Everyone is on your side and you basically have a spot waiting for you in the next years class, and its only yours to lose. EVMS pretty much gives you a clean slate on your academic life and its really all about how you do in the classes here. At EVMS, there really isnt a disparity between Med Masters and M1s like that which exists at other programs. M1s pretty much treat us as equals and often times ask us for help and tutoring. There are graduates from the Georgetown and BU programs here and they unanimously agree that this program is better than theirs.
I also got into a few Caribbean schools but those were my backup plans in the event I didnt get into an SMP. I figured I'd be willing to sacrifice a year instead of having to jump through hoops for the rest of my life and really putting limits on my medical career before it has even started.
2. How is the EVMS program received at other medical schools to which you have applied to this year? Were there any in particular which were impressed?
I applied to 36 schools this time around (MD [31] + DO [5]). I was only offered an interview by EVMS. My GPA is the only part of my package that is holding me back. Crossing that 3.0 threshold is key.
However, for my classmates, we have people accepted at VCU, Indiana University, University of Cincinnati, and the CA DO schools. Waitlisted at VCU, GWU, Tulane, Albany, and SUNY Downstate. Some people were granted interviews after the ad comms saw how they did in their first semester so this program does carry some weight. Ad comms have heard of SMP programs and they know that if you do well in them, you'll probably do well at their school as well. As far as previous classes go, people have been accepted at UCSF, Tulane, JMC, Tufts, NYMC, GWU, U Pit, various DO schools, Penn State, and a few others. It really depends on how you do, how your stats are before the program, and how you interview. VCU and GWU seem to like EVMS, judging by the number of people who interviewed there and have been accepted, both previously and currently.
