George Squared vs William Carey

[amlove]

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I have been accepted to both post bacc programs. WCU's is a MS in Biomedical Science, and George Mason's / Georgetown's program is a certificate in Biomedical Science. The program at GU and GMU is $10k/ year and living expenses will be about $12k/ year. However, GU and GMU are better schools. My GPA is low (2.95), and I am really concerned about my chances at getting into allopathic school so I think GU and GMU are better for strengthening my app. Any advice? As a non-traditional student with a family, $22k a year is a big factor, but what's $22k a year if I can't get into medical school.

 

[Vinny]

Hey amlove,

I got into William Carey as well. I dont think it will be well suited for you. William Carey is geared for you to take the first year of medical school courses at their college of osteopathic medicine. Most of the kids from the program matriculate into the Osteopathic School. Even after the completion of this program William Carey does not guarantee anything, so I dont know about it. These programs are well worth it if youre close to their own schools grades and have something to prove. With a 2.95 you are not close to William Carey's accepted numbers. If youre going to start the application process all over again, its gunna be a long shot again after taking that program. Especially with a 2.95 , to be honest and not feed you rainbows and butterflies, you will not have a shot at an Allopathic school. You should do a post bacc and apply for DO but even that is becoming very competitive. I have been trying to narrow down my choices as well. I am thinking of turning down William Carey because it is way too new and isnt established enough for me to start applying to schools with other than William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine since they dont guarantee it.

 

[amlove]

I have been accepted to both post bacc programs. WCU's is a MS in Biomedical Science, and George Mason's / Georgetown's program is a certificate in Biomedical Science. The program at GU and GMU is $10k more per year and living expenses will be about $12k more per year. However, GU and GMU are better schools. My GPA is low (2.95), and I am really concerned about my chances at getting into allopathic school so I think GU and GMU are better for strengthening my app. Any advice? As a non-traditional student with a family, $22k a year is a big factor, but what's $22k a year if I can't get into medical school.

Sorry, a bit of editorial work.

 

[amlove]

Thanks, Vinny. I guess I should elaborate. My undergrad gpa is 2.8, and my post bacc is more like a 3.7. While I agree that my gpa is a big concern, I am working very hard to show an upward trend, and as a non-traditional student I think I stand a chance. If I didn't think I was going to get accepted, I wouldn't be doing this. That's not really the question.

 

[Vinny]

So you have already attended one post bacc already? 3.7 is very solid. You didnt get into anything after those grades?
Then honestly I wouldnt know but all I can advise you is too keep in mind that William Carey will give you a lot of exposure to medical school. Maybe that can be of great help to your situation. If you do well in those classes itll show you can handle the med school course load. Best of luck.

 

[amlove]

I just took my pre-med prerequisites. My undergraduate degree is in English. I want to do a formal program now to strengthen my science background. I have not applied to medical school yet.

I was accepted at Midwestern U's MA in Biomedical Science program, USF's pre health program, Georgetown / George Mason's Advanced Biomedical Science certificate program, and William Carey's MS in Biomedical Science program. I also interviewed at Penn, but bombed my interview. I have narrowed it down to George Squared or WCU. Need to pick.

 

[chayo234]

You seem to be set on Georgetown, what is keeping you from choosing it? Nothing that WCU can offer that Georgetown can't. MS in Biomed means nothing.

 

[amlove]

Well, WCU is considerably cheaper. I would save about $22k in tuition and rent.

 

[chayo234]

Oh, sorry. Your initial statement is worded a little different.

Historically, Georgetown is better at helping students enter M.D. schools. WCU's program is still very new and not many programs know of it, therefore, it is really only good for entering William Carey. The road to medical school is expensive, so you have to get used to the costs. Georgetown is an infinitely better location also anyway. Hattiesburg is... lol... stop by if your curious

 

[amlove]

Thanks! I need as much advice as I can get. I am anxious to make a decision. I haven't been to Hattiesburg, but I actually prefer to live in that location because of the weather and the lower crime rate since we have a small child. However, I am very interested in the research opportunities at GMU / GU. There are just so many factors to consider!

 

[quechua]

Are you paying cash or using federal loans? Just asking because the DOE only issues loans for those in "degree-granting" programs. Just FYI... That info may not apply to you though.

 

[amlove]

federal and private loans was the plan.

 

[quechua]

GMU/GU has MS Biomed program that's only one year as well. Why choose the certificate over the degree of the are both one year long?

 

[alpinism]

I have been accepted to both post bacc programs. WCU's is a MS in Biomedical Science, and George Mason's / Georgetown's program is a certificate in Biomedical Science. The program at GU and GMU is $10k/ year and living expenses will be about $12k/ year. However, GU and GMU are better schools. My GPA is low (2.95), and I am really concerned about my chances at getting into allopathic school so I think GU and GMU are better for strengthening my app. Any advice? As a non-traditional student with a family, $22k a year is a big factor, but what's $22k a year if I can't get into medical school.

Look into taking some post-bacc classes as well. You need to get your ugrad GPA above 3.0 before applying to med school. Both programs are taught at the graduate level and will not improve your ugrad GPA. Regardless of how well you perform in either program, with a sub-3.0 GPA, most MD schools will screen out your app w/o even looking at it.

Thanks! I need as much advice as I can get. I am anxious to make a decision. I haven't been to Hattiesburg, but I actually prefer to live in that location because of the weather and the lower crime rate since we have a small child. However, I am very interested in the research opportunities at GMU / GU. There are just so many factors to consider!

Don't worry about research opportunities. Focus on getting As. You likely won't have time for any meaningful research projects while you're taking med school courses
(esp w a family at home).

 

[amlove]

My post bacc gpa is a 3.7, and by the end of the summer when I finish my research my cumulative gpa will be above 3.0.

While I appreciate the advice, I am really just looking for an answer to whether the benefit of making connections at GU will outweigh the benefit of saving money at WCU.

 

[alpinism]

Great. Yes, if you want to go to a MD school, go to an MD associated program.

 

[siona]

I have been accepted to both post bacc programs. WCU's is a MS in Biomedical Science, and George Mason's / Georgetown's program is a certificate in Biomedical Science. The program at GU and GMU is $10k/ year and living expenses will be about $12k/ year. However, GU and GMU are better schools. My GPA is low (2.95), and I am really concerned about my chances at getting into allopathic school so I think GU and GMU are better for strengthening my app. Any advice? As a non-traditional student with a family, $22k a year is a big factor, but what's $22k a year if I can't get into medical school.

Hi, I am in the process of applying to ABS at GMU/GU. Which program did you decide to attend? I have ~3.3 and I am concerned about whether I will get accepted to ABS at GMU/GU. I feel like I"m applying a bit late so that also concerns me as well. Please share any helpful hints to get accepted!