Thanks betterlate! I've seen you around the boards, and you've been super helpful to everyone. Goucher certainly impressed me when I interviewed, and I've heard a lot of awesome things about it. Is there anything you didn't like about the program, or anything you thought could have been better? Not denying it was awesome, just curious to get former students' opinions of it. (You can also say what your favorite parts were, of course!)
I really enjoyed the camaraderie between the students when I interviewed. I sat in on an orgo lecture, and had four or five students come up to the back and introduce themselves to me in the few minutes before class. It seemed like everyone in the program was super close, and that people were pretty relaxed and non-competitive with each other. The PBPM program staff were also fantastic. I talked to both Betsy and Toni (director and assistant director), as well as Theresa (the program coordinator) when I was there, and was blown away by how kind and accommodating they were. Seems like you'd get awesome support from the program if you went. I'm a little worried by how small the class is, but otherwise I would definitely be happy going here!
Honestly, there was nothing I disliked about the program. I mean, i didn't always love doing my physics homework, but that wasn't about the program, you know? :g:
You hit the nail on the head w/ your experience of your interview day. I feel like 'camaraderie' is an excellent descriptor of the program, and I think that is bolstered by the small class size rather than hindered by it. The program works hard to discourage students from competing against each other, and encourages students to work together on most things. There was no incentive to try to undercut anyone else b/c there's no curve. Everyone could theoretically earn an 'A' in every class so long as they put in enough work.
I found the faculty and staff both to be very invested in my welfare. I had a family member pass away during finals week in the fall semester. I took two of my exams, but the last exam was on the day of the funeral, and so I had to miss it. Faculty and administration alike bent over backwards to work with me - without me requesting any special accommodations - so I didn't have to take an incomplete and miss out on a chance to link to med school.
Obviously, that's a pretty big example, but I feel like there were a thousand little ways in which Betsy and Theresa (Toni wasn't there at the time, though I've met her and think she's a fantastic addition) and all of the profs demonstrated a personal interest in helping us succeed.
I thought it was a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere, which was great for me. I could work hard and compete against myself w/o any kind of adversarial dynamic with my classmates. We were all in it together, and as cliched as it sounds, i feel like I made some great life-long friends during my Goucher year.
Basically, the program made the challenging experience of postbacc as painless and fun as possible. It was the perfect place for me and I'd recommend it w/o reservation to anyone.
