I did the MA in med sci program at BU, 32 credits + a library thesis in a year. it was a lot of work especially since my undergrad GPA sucked and I needed to ace my classes. 24 of the credits were with the 1st year med students. so essentially I had to score higher on the tests than 85% of the first years did to get the grades I needed, in addition to getting the thesis done.
I ended up attending BUSM, my first year was joke, I was exempt from 3/4 of the classes. I think I only needed the equivalent of like 18 credits for the year, plus some clinical stuff once a week. I honestly partied more 1st year than in college.
but second year is a different animal entirely , I'm not exempt from anything, the courses are more integrated and build heavily on the stuff learned 1st year. I find the material a lot more interesting and relevant, but man, there is just so much stuff we are responsible for. I am studying more than I ever did before...way more. doing well but its a constant effort to keep on top of things. If I'm well studied and dare I say ahead in one class, its because I'm behind in two other classes. plus there's the clinical stuff and a paper to research and present each week.
so I have to say the masters was hard, lots of things to do, and the material seemed real tough, there's a steep learning curve going from undergrad science courses to graduate level medical courses, even though I took a decent amount of upper level bio during undergrad. But med school on the other hand.... don't really find the material hard to understand, what I do find hard the level of detail I am expected to know, on a large volume of information presented in the classes. in addition the other stuff i need to do for school. its real juggling act to keep on top of things. I could get away studying a lot less than i do, but I want to get honors not just pass.
i dont even want to think about step I in the spring, figuring third year will be a lot better in some ways........and worse in others.
