Is the UNT Masters of Biomedical Sciences program any good?

[miss chievous]

My friend told me it's designed to give you a head start to make med school a little easier, but I haven't really heard anything else from others. Is the program any good? Is it worth it? I just got accepted.

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[Drrrrrr. Celty]

UNT's MS program is a DO SMP, it is design to help people compensate for a low undergraduate gpa and get into medical school. They basically offer everyone in the program pending good performance an interview and is respected by other DO schools. I'm not exactly sure how MD schools view the program or how they will view good performance in it.

That being said, it's not really a head start as much as a year lost unless you needed it to make up for a low gpa.

 

[miss chievous]

UNT's MS program is a DO SMP, it is design to help people compensate for a low undergraduate gpa and get into medical school. They basically offer everyone in the program pending good performance an interview and is respected by other DO schools. I'm not exactly sure how MD schools view the program or how they will view good performance in it.

That being said, it's not really a head start as much as a year lost unless you needed it to make up for a low gpa.

I'm primarily applying to MD schools. I have a 3.68 cGPA and sGPA so I figured this may help me out a little, although I know my GPA is around average. You don't think it's worth it?

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

I'm primarily applying to MD schools. I have a 3.68 cGPA and sGPA so I figured this may help me out a little, although I know my GPA is around average. You don't think it's worth it?

I wouldn't do it with that gpa. It will just waste time and money, imo. You shouldn't have much trouble getting into an MD school, assuming everything else is in order.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I'm primarily applying to MD schools. I have a 3.68 cGPA and sGPA so I figured this may help me out a little, although I know my GPA is around average. You don't think it's worth it?

Absolutely not.

 

[miss chievous]

I wouldn't do it with that gpa. It will just waste time and money, imo. You shouldn't have much trouble getting into an MD school, assuming everything else is in order.

I have great volunteer and clinical experience, GPA is around average, BS and PS sections of the MCAT are fine, but my verbal is low (I've taken it twice). I'm hoping this masters program will take some focus off that score. Or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[lovemango]

I have great volunteer and clinical experience, GPA is around average, BS and PS sections of the MCAT are fine, but my verbal is low (I've taken it twice). I'm hoping this masters program will take some focus off that score. Or is that just wishful thinking?

Getting a master's degree is not a trade-off for a lower verbal score. What's the exact breakdown of your MCAT? I wouldn't recommend doing it in your case, especially given the cost in time and money. I have a few friends who have gone through this program, and it's basically designed as an SMP for people who need to rehabilitate their GPAs. It's well-known and respected in our area, especially since they basically guarantee everyone in the program an interview at TCOM, but I don't think it will help you in what you're looking for.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I have great volunteer and clinical experience, GPA is around average, BS and PS sections of the MCAT are fine, but my verbal is low (I've taken it twice). I'm hoping this masters program will take some focus off that score. Or is that just wishful thinking?

Getting a master's degree is not a trade-off for a lower verbal score. What's the exact breakdown of your MCAT? I wouldn't recommend doing it in your case, especially given the cost in time and money. I have a few friends who have gone through this program, and it's basically designed as an SMP for people who need to rehabilitate their GPAs. It's well-known and respected in our area, especially since they basically guarantee everyone in the program an interview at TCOM, but I don't think it will help you in what you're looking for.

Your GPA doesnt replace your MCAT.... if your score is below average, retake the MCAT

the program is not just for DO schools. Since I finished that program, I actually do know what Im talking about.

I emailed a few admissions offices asking them what they thought of the program and they all know it is a "mini med school" program and they treat it as such.

If you perform well, it will show that you can handle med school curricula.
However, I would not recommend taking that program with a 3.68. most people that attended it had 3.0-3.5. If your MCAT is truly the only issue, I would say retake the MCAT after a dedicated study schedule.

 

[miss chievous]

Your GPA doesnt replace your MCAT.... if your score is below average, retake the MCAT

the program is not just for DO schools. Since I finished that program, I actually do know what Im talking about.

I emailed a few admissions offices asking them what they thought of the program and they all know it is a "mini med school" program and they treat it as such.

If you perform well, it will show that you can handle med school curricula.
However, I would not recommend taking that program with a 3.68. most people that attended it had 3.0-3.5. If your MCAT is truly the only issue, I would say retake the MCAT after a dedicated study schedule.

Did most of the schools look favorably upon it though? I feel like it would be a better option than getting a job or something

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Did most of the schools look favorably upon it though? I feel like it would be a better option than getting a job or something

its better than doing nothing. I will be applying this year so i dont know if they will look at it heavily, but it is renown by adcoms in texas.

some people apply the year they are enrolled while others apply after they complete the program.

Im in the latter group because my grades have been completed and it gives me time to build up ECs. Not to mention it gives you time to take the MCAT after a prolonged study period.

the down side is you have a year off...

 

[miss chievous]

its better than doing nothing. I will be applying this year so i dont know if they will look at it heavily, but it is renown by adcoms in texas.

some people apply the year they are enrolled while others apply after they complete the program.

Im in the latter group because my grades have been completed and it gives me time to build up ECs. Not to mention it gives you time to take the MCAT after a prolonged study period.

the down side is you have a year off...

Well I have some job offers, but I feel like the masters would give me a head start, you know? I may not NEED it, but i feel like it could really help me. What do you think?

 

[nysegop]

Did you switch from dental to medical or medical to dental?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Well I have some job offers, but I feel like the masters would give me a head start, you know? I may not NEED it, but i feel like it could really help me. What do you think?

No one is really going to tell you that it will "really help" you. This program won't help you. You have an acceptable GPA that would take many, many credit hours to appreciably change (I'm assuming.) If your MCAT score is holding you back, then taking this program won't help you at all. It will cost you money and time that I imagine could be better deployed somewhere else. Gandalf said it best, it's better than doing nothing. But I don't think the dichotomy is between the master's program and nothing. You can work, you can dedicate to the MCAT, etc.

 

[TwinsFan]

Dedicate a thorough and heroic effort to the MCAT this year and get a decent score.

I see this with many people I work with; they have a red flag (usually the mcat) and think some EC or grade will help, it won't. Don't avoid or try to make up for your weakness, improve it. Your gpa is solid, don't risk it in med-sci, where anything below your 3.6 will hurt you to varying degrees and a 4.0 won't help a whole lot.