Help/Advice needed with 3 Post-Bacc programs!

[Sjs1234]

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I need some help with choosing between 3 post-bac programs. The first is UPenn's Post-Bac Pre-Health Specialized Studies program, the second is University of Southern Florida's Pre-Professional Masters Program in Medical Sciences and the third is Drexel's Medical Science Preparatory Program (MSP).

I've been doing some research myself to try and get a better idea of each program but I wanted to see if you guys had any advice or testimonials or whatnot. I've seen in some previous threads that UPenns program is only evening classes and I have also seen alot of negative things said about the program. I don't know much about the other two other that what is on the program's websites. Im trying to figure out which would be the best fit for me.

My stats, GPA: 3.3, SGPA: 3.2, MCAT: 24

Thanks
..

 

[Sjs1234]

Also I should say I am debating between one of these post-bacc programs and a traditional 2 years masters program. My pre-med adviser and a few others have suggested the Masters route. This seems like the smarter choice because it will boost my academics more than the post-bacc certificate. However, this would add 4 years of delay because I would have to take this year for the GRE and applying and then the 2 years of MS and finally the year off in between applying. I am a NC resident as well.

 

[deleted248403]

SMP and take a kaplan course

 

[IamBlue]

Isn't the USF program a 1-year masters program?

 

[Sjs1234]

Isn't the USF program a 1-year masters program?

Yeah it is. But I am trying to decide between doing a 1-year post bac or a full 2 years Masters (maybe thesis). Drexel does seem like a good program because of the heavy focus on MCAT which I need to improve alot on. I don't really like the UPenn night classes and then having to schedule other day classes, also seems limited MCAT prep. The USF seems like a good program but limited MCAT prep. Still not sure what to do

 

[deleted248403]

Upenn wont help your situation anyways so dont even bother there.

you need a true SMP. I dont know much about USF's, and i'm not a fan of Drexel's.

And don't expect an SMP's MCAT stuff to replace a prep class. It won't. It might be a good adjunct, but it is no way designed to replace.

 

[Sjs1234]

SMP and take a kaplan course

Do you mean take a summer medical program? I can't do that this summer its too late. Also, I took a Kaplan course last year and it didn't help me very much. I am thinking about doing a Princeton Review maybe/doing some on my own with BR and stuff.

 

[deleted248403]

Do you mean take a summer medical program? I can't do that this summer its too late. Also, I took a Kaplan course last year and it didn't help me very much. I am thinking about doing a Princeton Review maybe/doing some on my own with BR and stuff.

No, I mean attend a Special Master's Program

And whatever Kaplan/PR/Insert_Other course you want to do is fine - just don't plan on using a school's MCAT prep to be as good. There might be some out there but its not going to help you get over a 24

 

[Sjs1234]

No, I mean attend a Special Master's Program

And whatever Kaplan/PR/Insert_Other course you want to do is fine - just don't plan on using a school's MCAT prep to be as good. There might be some out there but its not going to help you get over a 24

Oh I see what you mean. What are some examples of Special Master's Programs that are worth it. That seems like a good idea but what do you think I should do in my situation since its already June. None of these three post-bacs are worth it in your opinion?

 

[deleted248403]

I think you take a year to do something productive (build ECs, do something cool, re-take the MCAT), and apply in the fall to SMPs with a new MCAT score

There is a stickied thread with examples of SMP programs on this forum

 

[Sjs1234]

bump

Any other ideas/reviews between these 3 post-bac programs!

 

[CalBear1]

Hey Robflanker,
I got accepted into Drexel's IMS program but I'm not sure about it. Any reason why you are not a fan of Drexel?

 

[deleted248403]

Hey Robflanker,
I got accepted into Drexel's IMS program but I'm not sure about it. Any reason why you are not a fan of Drexel?

I've posted many times in many different threads about my thoughts on the program. I'm sure a simple search will yield what you are looking for from myself and others