Help Deciding Which Post-bacc Program to Attend!!!!

[futuretrashwoman]

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Hi! So I'm trying to determine which program I should attend. I was accepted to Geisinger's Masters in Biomedical Science and Penn's Specialized Studies (certificate). My goal is to enhance my GPA to become a better applicant for medical school. Both programs have an MCAT prep course (which I will take). Does anyone have any opinions on which program might be better?

 

[futuretrashwoman]

bump

 

[Dr.Gains]

bump

Hard to advise without stats. And are you looking to matriculate into the host medical school?

 

[futuretrashwoman]

Hi thank you for responding! My cGPA is 3.4 and sGPA 3.0. I did clinical trauma research (no publication) for 2.5 years and public health research for 1 year. 170 hrs of clinical volunteering.

I want to attend med school in 2021. I was also accepted to Georgetown’s ‘s MS in Physiology.

My goal is to prove I can withstand the rigor of medical school. I plan on taking the MCAT in May 2020 so I can apply for the 2021 cycle. I will go to any MD program (hopefully I’ll have options).

Any advice is good advice at this point!

 

[Gropey_Monk123]

I believe Geisinger's program interviews the top 15-20% of their MBS class (with decent MCAT score), but I don't know if that's a guarantee or not. There is some crossover between the medical school teachers and the MBS so you might be able to snag a nice LOR if you apply to geisinger later.

Upenn states they have linkages with other schools, but I am not sure how true that is or at least how those schools truly look at the program. They seem to have a lot of resources for other parts of the application like ECs, essays, resume etc. but since you are looking to prove you can withstand the rigor of medical school not sure about this one.

Georgetown's SMP is one of the oldest and rigorous of the bunch, and they have the added benefit of being able to take actual MS1 classes and being graded on that curve.

Of the three I'd imagine most people will tell you to do Georgetown's SMP, but to be prepared to kill it because not doing well in that program can be detrimental. Big risk big reward kind of thing. My ranking would be Georgetown, Geisinger, than Upenn. Best of luck.

 

[futuretrashwoman]

Hi! Thanks for commenting. The program I was accepted for at Georgetown is a masters (not an SMP). Would you still recommend it?

 

[Gropey_Monk123]

I thought the MS in physiology was the SMP, no? Well then I'm not sure. I'd check the forums for more info and try reaching out to any former students about the respective programs. Also ask the program directors or someone about linkages. You should also consider CoA and other factors too.

Since it's not the SMP I might put geisinger above GT, but that's more of a living preference. To be honest I feel like many of the programs offer similar classes/opportunities so it's what you make of it. Your GPA isn't horrendously low or anything. With a solid MCAT score and good GPA from any of these programs your application should be in a better place.

 

[Dr.Gains]

I thought the MS in physiology was the SMP, no? Well then I'm not sure. I'd check the forums for more info and try reaching out to any former students about the respective programs. Also ask the program directors or someone about linkages. You should also consider CoA and other factors too.

Since it's not the SMP I might put geisinger above GT, but that's more of a living preference. To be honest I feel like many of the programs offer similar classes/opportunities so it's what you make of it. Your GPA isn't horrendously low or anything. With a solid MCAT score and good GPA from any of these programs your application should be in a better place.

Gtown has a regular MS in physiology and a SMP in physiology. The latter being the one you take classes with the M1s.

 

[futuretrashwoman]

Thank you both for answering! The reason I did not apply to any SMPs was because I did not take the GRE/MCAT.

 

[PRG774]

I got into the ACHS program at Temple and I also got into Geisinger's MBS Program. I am having trouble deciding which one to do and which one would be more beneficial for me.