MAMS at Loyola U Chicago, or M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology at Georgetown?

[LadyWolverine]

As a medical school applicant (I was waitlisted for this fall, but was not successful), I gave myself some insurance by applying to masters programs. The problem is, I can't decide which one to attend. I'd like another person's opinion. (Please check out the links if you would like to find out more about the programs).

The MAMS is geared towards medical school applicants/re-applicants, so the focus is on medical school courses (many of which, as a CMB major in college, I have already completed, so I would find much of the material to be redundant). However, I haven't had Anat + Phys in a long time, and developmental bio sounds interesting. Also, with only 12 credits a semester, that leaves me some extra time to do clinical volunteering/internships. Also have access to counseling/help with apps.
(http://www.luc.edu/depts/biology/programma.htm)

HOWEVER...The Georgetown program also looks fascinating. The focus is on microbiology and immunology, which is related, but tangential, to medicine. I believe that this program would give me more of a chance to branch out, and explore new aspects of research, public health & policy, infectious disease, etc. Plus I would be able to take medical school micro & immuno. But, I would have no time for other medical-school related courses (this is more of an industry/pharmaceutic/PhD-track MS...I have NOT ruled out any of these possibilities, though). With a total of 30 credits, I would be busier doing labs, papers, and coursework, and perhaps not have as much time for volunteering, or access to help with med school apps as readily as with LUC MAMS. I also have the opinion (could be innaccurate) that G'Town is the superior school.
(http://www.georgetown.edu/grad/catalogue/programs/micb_courses.html)

My 2 roadblocks to med school are:
1) A GPA drop (spread myself WAAAY too thin senior year and ended up going from 3.78 to barely above a 3.5; BCPM 3.3), and
2) A relative lack of clinical experience (only have 1/2 year volunteering in PACU at U of Michigan hospital, and a few months of working with seniors).

Otherwise, I went to a great school, had a tough major, took challenging courses, had adequate extracurriculars, good MCATs (33R), great refs, and years of varied research projects, resulting in 2 papers & 1 GenBank entry published. Just need to brush up the GPA and clinical experience.

So both programs are potential GPA/BCPM-boosters. Both programs also give me a salary boost as well, if I decide to work once I am finished. Both programs could be adequate lead-ins to an M.D., PhD, MPH, etc. Both potentially give me access to volunteer/intern opportunities, and counseling/application assisstance (although one focuses on this while I would have to be very proactive in the other). Both are potentials for more excellent refs. The difference is, the focus. Would it be better to have a medical-school oriented degree, or something a little more novel that may have more applications if I don't decide to pursue an M.D.?

My Questions:
1) Given the same performance in both, which one would look better to a medical school admissions committee?
2) Which one would you choose, and why?
3) When should I re-apply? Should I go for fall 2005, even before my 1st semester grades are available for supplementals? (It's already getting late!) Or should I finish my M.S., make sure my grades are stellar, work for a year, and then apply for 2006? I already have several years of research experience (molecular bio and biomedical/engineering), so working another year would be solely for my own interest/earning money...it is not necessary as another AMCAS-booster.

Thanks for your help.
-LadyW

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[DrHuang]

1) Given the same performance in both, which one would look better to a medical school admissions committee?

It depends on the courses you take. Whichever one seems to have the more solid coursework (ie, real classes like developmental biology...which sucks btw). if both programs offer similar coursework, go with GT simply b.c of the name recognization.

2) Which one would you choose, and why?

your app seems fine...although u BCPM is on the lowerside, ur app looks solid...the program in loyola is for ppl who really need to boost their apps so i would personally choose GT's masters....but if i were in ur shoes, i would have gotten a MPH.

ps: u can always squeeze in a few hrs a week to volunteer!

 

[Spartacus]

LadyW,

I'm not sure if you know this, but the Loyola program is brand new, this will be the first class. I'm not saying that makes it bad, I'm sure it will be a great program, however, when they are brand new there may be some adjustments to make and the first class is often the 'guinea pigs.' Just something to keep in mind, it's cool you have the choice of great schools though. Best of luck!

 

[alEXatosu]

bump

I am in almost the exact same boat. I see the Loyola MAMS program and the Georgetown SMP program as my two most credible options. My main concern with the Loyola program lie in the rigors of the coursework. One must only complete 24 hours of coursework, as opposed to Georgetown's 30 required hours. I am worried that med schools may not look favorably upon this. Also, Loyola's coursework is graduate level, as opposed to Georgetown, which offers actual medical school courses. However, Loyola's program leaves more time for clinical, which I lack as well. Also, the Loyola program has only just begun! So maybe the best option is to apply, and than call the Loyola med school in May to ask their opinion of the program. This whole post-bacc game has thrown me for a loop. I would appreciate any opinions.

p.s. one question for everyone...I have worked in a transplant research lab in the Ohio State Medical center for the past two years. I pretty much deal with molecular biology.....Does this count as clinical experience??

 

[DrHuang]

bump

I am in almost the exact same boat. I see the Loyola MAMS program and the Georgetown SMP program as my two most credible options. My main concern with the Loyola program lie in the rigors of the coursework. One must only complete 24 hours of coursework, as opposed to Georgetown's 30 required hours. I am worried that med schools may not look favorably upon this. Also, Loyola's coursework is graduate level, as opposed to Georgetown, which offers actual medical school courses. However, Loyola's program leaves more time for clinical, which I lack as well. Also, the Loyola program has only just begun! So maybe the best option is to apply, and than call the Loyola med school in May to ask their opinion of the program. This whole post-bacc game has thrown me for a loop. I would appreciate any opinions.

p.s. one question for everyone...I have worked in a transplant research lab in the Ohio State Medical center for the past two years. I pretty much deal with molecular biology.....Does this count as clinical experience??

Georgetown Masters program is the oldest and best program of its kind, hands down, so if you have a choice between loyola and GT, goto GT. At GT SMP, 6 of your 9 classes are med classes (10th class is a BS class) taken with the medical students. This years entering class had an avg MCAT of 29.6 and a GPA of 3.3 (which i think is pretty nuts considering its MCAT is higher than the lower end US med schools). yes, im attending GT now but im not trying to plug it...i just happened to do my research when choosing a SMP program and this is what i found. btw, u are right...if u goto SMP, u will have NO time to for volunteer etc.

and for ur question, it depends on what you did

 

[LadyWolverine]

I'm sorry, but I think you have misunderstood me.
My choice is between the MAMS program at LUC and an MS in Microbiology/Immunology at GTown - NOT the SMP. I am interested in infectious disease and molecular biology of pathogens (hence the second program). I'm sure that if I did well in either program, it would boost my chances of getting in. But the MAMS is geared specifically towards med-school re-applicants, while the MS in micro/immuno is more for those who want to go into pharm, research, industry, or eventual PhD track...although the advisor said that they have had people apply to medical school after completing their program.
My main concern is that I may decide that I do NOT want to re-apply to medical school (instead, work in pharmaceutics or do PhD track). In that case, I think a masters in immuno/micro would be more specialized than one in "medical science". However, I could be completely wrong. It also depends on what you make of the program, what courses you take, how well you perform, and what extracurriculars you participate in.
For these reasons (and many others) I am leaning towards the GTown program. I majored in CMB and never had time for micro, even though I really wanted to take these courses. If I do well, I don't think it will *hurt* my chances of getting in...however, I don't know if it would be as good as the LUC program in terms of preparation for med school (though this one is also 30 credits vs 24 at LUC MAMS). I also need more clinical experience, and probably won't have a whole lot of time...however, I think if I am very proactive, I will be able to have access to services that will help me with my application (since I am paying tuition, I will probably be able to go bug the SMP people for help/resources), and I should also find some time to have some clinical experience.
🙂

 

[alEXatosu]

Thanks gintien. You make an interesting point on the MCAT average at Georgetown SMP (29.6). It is better than some lower end med schools, and so I would think that anyone doing this program would expect to get into higher end med schools upon completion....Do most of the people you talk to in the SMP program aim to get into the better, hgher-end med schools?

My situation is this. My GPA is about 3.2, and my April 2004 MCAT was a 27. So I figured that neither is good enough for the schools I want to go to (top 40). So I will retake the MCAT in April 2005, and score high enough A. to get into Georgetown SMP and B. good enough to get into med schools as well (Hopefully a 32 or above). But if I get a good enough score, does that mean I should even go through with the SMP program....Will it help that much?? Or would I be better off working or volunteering abroad. Basically, I wish I had assurances that with a good MCAT and a successful completion of Georgetown SMP, I could get into a top tier medical school. I know that no one truly knows the answer to this question, but any advice would be Much appreciated.
and lady wolverine.....I'll have the pleasure of watching Ohio State destroy Michigan at the Shoe Nov.20..Giddyup

 

[chitown82]

As a medical school applicant (I was waitlisted for this fall, but was not successful), I gave myself some insurance by applying to masters programs. The problem is, I can't decide which one to attend. I'd like another person's opinion. (Please check out the links if you would like to find out more about the programs).

The MAMS is geared towards medical school applicants/re-applicants, so the focus is on medical school courses (many of which, as a CMB major in college, I have already completed, so I would find much of the material to be redundant). However, I haven't had Anat + Phys in a long time, and developmental bio sounds interesting. Also, with only 12 credits a semester, that leaves me some extra time to do clinical volunteering/internships. Also have access to counseling/help with apps.
(http://www.luc.edu/depts/biology/programma.htm)

HOWEVER...The Georgetown program also looks fascinating. The focus is on microbiology and immunology, which is related, but tangential, to medicine. I believe that this program would give me more of a chance to branch out, and explore new aspects of research, public health & policy, infectious disease, etc. Plus I would be able to take medical school micro & immuno. But, I would have no time for other medical-school related courses (this is more of an industry/pharmaceutic/PhD-track MS...I have NOT ruled out any of these possibilities, though). With a total of 30 credits, I would be busier doing labs, papers, and coursework, and perhaps not have as much time for volunteering, or access to help with med school apps as readily as with LUC MAMS. I also have the opinion (could be innaccurate) that G'Town is the superior school.
(http://www.georgetown.edu/grad/catalogue/programs/micb_courses.html)

My 2 roadblocks to med school are:
1) A GPA drop (spread myself WAAAY too thin senior year and ended up going from 3.78 to barely above a 3.5; BCPM 3.3), and
2) A relative lack of clinical experience (only have 1/2 year volunteering in PACU at U of Michigan hospital, and a few months of working with seniors).

Otherwise, I went to a great school, had a tough major, took challenging courses, had adequate extracurriculars, good MCATs (33R), great refs, and years of varied research projects, resulting in 2 papers & 1 GenBank entry published. Just need to brush up the GPA and clinical experience.

So both programs are potential GPA/BCPM-boosters. Both programs also give me a salary boost as well, if I decide to work once I am finished. Both programs could be adequate lead-ins to an M.D., PhD, MPH, etc. Both potentially give me access to volunteer/intern opportunities, and counseling/application assisstance (although one focuses on this while I would have to be very proactive in the other). Both are potentials for more excellent refs. The difference is, the focus. Would it be better to have a medical-school oriented degree, or something a little more novel that may have more applications if I don't decide to pursue an M.D.?

My Questions:
1) Given the same performance in both, which one would look better to a medical school admissions committee?
2) Which one would you choose, and why?
3) When should I re-apply? Should I go for fall 2005, even before my 1st semester grades are available for supplementals? (It's already getting late!) Or should I finish my M.S., make sure my grades are stellar, work for a year, and then apply for 2006? I already have several years of research experience (molecular bio and biomedical/engineering), so working another year would be solely for my own interest/earning money...it is not necessary as another AMCAS-booster.

Thanks for your help.
-LadyW

just wondering where did u apply to med schools? im kinda surprised with ur numbers u didnt get into a state school or at least some school. i know ppl with much lower numbers who got in 🙁

 

[LadyWolverine]

just wondering where did u apply to med schools? im kinda surprised with ur numbers u didnt get into a state school or at least some school. i know ppl with much lower numbers who got in 🙁

I was waitlisted at Wash U in St Louis this year but did not get in. I also interviewed at the University of Washington (where I had worked for the medical school for 2 years doing cardiovascular research), but I was rejected without even so much as a reason. I'm not sure why I didn't get in. Needless to say, I was pretty pissed.
I applied to many schools (around 16?) Most were top-tier schools; I thought that a good performance on my MCATs and 2 years of research & publications would help overshadow the C in immunology I got my senior year of college (I bit off waaaay more than I could chew senior year...however, I also wrote a passage in my personal statement explaining how it happened). I guess I was wrong. I only had 2 interviews. But I wasn't going to settle for a lower-tier school (for example, I could've gone to Eastern Virginia Med School easy due to "connections" - have you even HEARD of this school???)

I think the truth is, admission to medical school is a crap shoot. I think that they weed out the first round based solely on GPA and MCAT scores. I don't think they even look at your other credentials (research experience, statement, essays, references, etc.) until they are pretty certain that they want to interview you. It also didn't help that the only state school I could have had a chance at (UW) is also one of the best schools in the country, and I am competing with applicants from 5 states instead of just one.

I think that I worked hard for the past several years and deserved admission, especially at UW. But I can cry and whine about injustice all I want...I'll just have to suck it up and keep plugging. I'm sure this has happened to more deserving people in the past.


At any rate...I only have another day before I have to decide which program to do. MAMS at LUC, or MS in Immuno/Micro at Georgetown? I'm pretty sure I"m going to end up at Georgetown. The program sounds challenging, fun, and DC is my hometown. I will find some way to get pre-medical advising/help with my application.

& PS to the Buckeye: Wishful thinking, buddy. Can't wait to see the Wolverines serve you your a**** on a silver platter. Have a nice day!

 

[01923847]

At any rate...I only have another day before I have to decide which program to do. MAMS at LUC, or MS in Immuno/Micro at Georgetown? I'm pretty sure I"m going to end up at Georgetown. The program sounds challenging, fun, and DC is my hometown. I will find some way to get pre-medical advising/help with my application.

I realize this is a REALLY old post, but which program did you end up going to? I've had little luck this year and I suspect it is because the science classes I took were so long ago (I graduated college in 2013)) and have been more or less working in a non-science field since. I'm considering the Georgetown program as well since I am in the DC area and would want a recognizable degree to fall-back on in case medical school does not work out. Plus, I feel that these classes would serve me well for additional MCAT prep - but I may be wrong.

I would love to hear which program you went with and how felt it helped you!