HES HCP/ALM question

[DannyV]

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Hey there guys,
These forums have been very helpful, so I thought I would get some opinions on a couple of thoughts I have in mind. 🙂

So here we go...

I have applied to HES HCP program, and with the stats I have (uGPA 3.4 with sGPA 3.38), Dr. Fixsen, the director of HCP, said I should be fine. However, Dr. Fixsen said that, in general, if you already have had too many science classes (which applies to me since I am a Biology major) then HCP might not be too suitable for you. As I am waiting for my official decision in the mail, I have thought of attending ALM instead. I believe my undergraduate GPA isn't that bad that I need major boost; in fact, if I went to HCP I would only probably boost it up to 3.55 MAX. 😱

Now I am sure some of you will refer me to SMPs, but here is the deal. Some of the SMPs are career changers and not for me since I have taken premed courses. AND MOST OF THEM require that applicant to have an official MCAT score, which I don't have and I am not ready to take it at this point. So, without MCAT, I am pretty much optioned out from almost all the SMPs.

Now, I am thinking ALM at HES. Reason? It's a Masters in Liberal Arts with my desired concerntration (biology). I can take the same upper level courses from that I would've taken in HES HCP, expect this one would count as a grad GPA. So the question is, would 3.55 uGPA alone look good for med schools? Or, 3.4 uGPA with a (possible) 4.0 gGPA look good? I know that much of the med school decisions are based on undergrad GPA, but even if I take HCP courses, I believe I won't be getting much out of it. But there is an AWESOME option to be sponsored in HCP, while in ALM, I can get individual recommendation letters. There are pros and cons to both HCP and ALM. 😳

Many people say that ALM is finished in 3 yrs on average, but after researching I figured you only need 10 courses at HES to earn the degree. So, if I took 3 coures per semester for 3 semesters, thats 9, and 1 in the fourth semester while working on the thesis then wouldn't that work out? So I can possibly finish it in two years right? (And of course, I would be working on my thesis through out the 2 years)😎

So, please help me decide which would be a better path for me. I took my first practice MCAT and got a 29 (I haven't started studying yet, so I believe I can probably pull a 32-34 on the actual after studying) So, with considering each of these paths, with that hypothetical MCAT score, which would make me a stronger candidate for med school apps?😕

Also, if there are any SMPs that don't require MCATs, but also have good promises then please point them out. 😛

Many thanks in advance!😀
-DannyV

 

[DannyV]

anyone???

 

[Allopathic13]

Danny-

I'm currently an ALM guy-in Bio. In most respects an ALM is very similar to an SMP minus any type of linkage-however-you certainly are getting a more specialized concentration-and a more appealing program to adcoms than a general SMPer per the thesis requirement.

With that said- two years is an incredibly short time in which to complete the program. The thesis requires significant laboratory research and advisement coupled with a heavy course load. I began my ALM study in my first year of the HCP by taking 3 ALM classes-so while on paper I will finish the program in two-it actually took three---so keep this in mind if you intend on doing it---it's a rather long process and is a difficult degree to obtain because of Harvard's rigorous academic standards-especially pertaining to the thesis-which is usually over 100 pages.

Finally-you will not really be a Harvard student until you are accepted to the program. While HCP is admissions based from the outset-the ALM admission is contingent upon your performance in three prelim classes-which are applied toward your ALM. During the period of taking these 3 classes you are eligible for no financial aid i.e. stafford etc. so each approx. $2000.00 class will come right out of your pocket-plus registration fees and accommodation in Cambridge.


However, if you are fine with this criteria then the ALM is a great program and well respected-as is any Harvard Degree- among adcoms.

good luck

 

[DannyV]

hey,
thanks for the reply...

so you said 2 yrs isnt enough...so lets say i come to harvard in fall 2010...in fall 2010, i would take the three pre-ALM courses...then spring i would start ALM....taking 3 more classes...and 1 in the summer and 2 in the fall.....so from fall to fall (1.5 yrs) i should be done with my courses required for the ALM degree....

now the thesis, if I started "searching" (not starting) for a very well thesis topic in fall 2010..and get on it in spring.....then i would have all the way until spring 2012 to finish the thesis (1.5 yrs of actually performing and writing and all...) ....wouldn't that be enough? you did HCP...so u had to spend a year in HCP or so....for me...it would be like i described...so i mean...you still think i wont be able to finish it in two years? .... with me describing what i have in mind....you sstill think it would take a good 3 yrs? ....if so, then i cant apply to medical schools in my second year of ALM right?

even though HCP isnt a linkage program...it has a known 90% chance of medical school acceptance....so is there any percentage for people coming out with ALM?

thank you!
-DannyV

 

[Allopathic13]

Well I should note that people have completed the program in two-though it is somewhat rare.

Your plan is sound from the course standpoint-however, they have numerous rules that pertain to the thesis-first you cannot formally beginit until after you have taken 6 ALM courses-second, if you intend on graduating in June then you have to submit your thesis proposal-usually 15-30 pages-by like oct.1 -but you also have to be placed with a Harvard research advisor before working on the thesis-finally you must have your completed thesis turned in for approval by April 1. so 3 and 3 will let you begin the thesis process in June of year 1---it will take some time to be placed with an advisor-and remember you will have to be placed in a lab and conduct research for the thesis as well. Thus, in order to graduate in June of the second year-you will have to pund out that proposal with a plan for your lab work research by oct. 1 then do the research and write the fully completed thesis by April 1. It is doable but will be difficult-you can do it in two but you must be prepared for the onslaught of the thesis year.

But yes I am applying in my ALM year 2 to med schools-letting adcoms know that I am finishing my masters a Harvard etc...so I am taking one class and writing my thesis during my gap year of interviews.


I don't know about stats for ALM grads into med school-I would assume that they are quite high-becuase the program is much more rigorous than a general SMP--and many persons use that ALM to pursue Doctoral work-thus, the ALM would demonstrate the capacity to excel in medical school.

All the Best!


p.s. sorry if this post has errors- I just got paged as I was finishing this post and am on my way to the hospital to scrub in and observe a STAT interventional cath-per the cardio call rotation-and I have to be there in 20 minutes so I worte this without proofreading it! 🙂

 

[sketo43]

DannyV-
Which of the core prereqs do you still need to take? You must have taken 2 semesters of biology since that was your major. What about chem, ochem, and physics? If you got a 29 on a practice MCAT without studying, then I suspect you've already taken all of them. Why not just spend a little more time studying for the MCAT, take the MCAT, and apply straight to med school?

 

[DannyV]

thanks allopathic, as usual, the best answer in the house!!! haha thank you...i guess i will just spend 3 yrs. =)

sketo, i knew somebody would bring this up. first, to answer your question, yes I have taken all the prereqs. second, the reason I don't want to apply like the way you suggested is because 1) I don't feel like I will be able to give time to study for MCATs as I am finishing my senior year with full of hard classes 2) I dont want to rush MCATs since I want to give it all I have in one try 3) I don't want to, for any reason, get rejected from medical schools because then I don't know how to improve as a 2nd year applicant 4) If I apply, I have nothing precisous to do while in the gap year which will make me look bad in interviews, if I got any.

I don't know but I have many reasons for not applying at this point. Some are stupid reasons, some are legit but most of all I AM JUST NOT READY! =) lol

 

[ratherberocking]

Hey,
I'm planning on starting HES classes in Spring 2010 (I'm moving to the Boston area for a research job). After being accepted into the ALM program. Do you know if we can get sponsorship/committee letter for med school without being in HCP?

Thanks!