Masters at UMBC? In a dilemma

[RangeRover89]

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Hi all,

I have applied to several SMPs. Barry and Mason in particular. I did not apply to Boston b/c several courses in the prereqs were at the CC.

My overal gpa is a 3.15 and science GPA is a 2.9. 20 across the board on the DAT except OC (22) I havent heard back from Mason (I live in Northern Virginia). Just wondering if I should apply to a regular masters in Biotech at a school local (UMBC).

Would this help my application? Has anyone done the masters at UMBC?

 

[shyfox9p]

Hi Range. I'm actually finishing up my masters at Barry.
I've talked to one of the professors at nova as well as the dean. For them, you should consider getting the masters if your oGPA is below a 3.3 and science below a 3.2.
This issue with some students is that they apply the year they started their masters. The majority of schools want you to be done or close to done before you even apply.
Mistakes most people make is that they either do the 2 year program or that they don't get the grades while getting their masters. I have a friend who finished barry with a 3.3 and around a 22 average and still got into dental school.
Hope this helps

 

[RangeRover89]

Yes, I know thats why I would probably do Barry in the Spring if I went. I just hate to relocate. I actually was living in Florida before and I would like to go back to Nova. But I'm an MD resident. So I dont think I would change my residency. What would be the difference between the Spring start and the Fall start?

 

[shyfox9p]

You don't have to change your residency if you come to barry. The program is completed in 3 semesters (minimum time). So if you did classes in the spring and summer, it would really boost your stats as long as you pass your classes. Barry has been challenging. It's not like a free A. You need to study your ass off which is why several schools like the program. As long as you get that 3.5 and higher, you should be good.

 

[Sissi Romy]

Hi all,

I have applied to several SMPs. Barry and Mason in particular. I did not apply to Boston b/c several courses in the prereqs were at the CC.

My overal gpa is a 3.15 and science GPA is a 2.9. 20 across the board on the DAT except OC (22) I havent heard back from Mason (I live in Northern Virginia). Just wondering if I should apply to a regular masters in Biotech at a school local (UMBC).

Would this help my application? Has anyone done the masters at UMBC?

I have several friends who have done the Masters of Applied Molecular Biology (AMB) at UMBC in Baltimore (you mention it's "local" to you?) It is a fantastic program, 1-year accelerated. Two of the friends had low undergrad GPA (~3.2) and ended up with good Grad GPA (~3.5). After finishing the AMB, one was accepted to med school and the other to dent school, (second-time applicants). Mind you, the AMB is not easy, requires a lot of work and is very competitive. Lab work in AMB is hard and demanding, but the grad students seem to love it. Tuition at UMBC for AMB is around $15K. A lot of AMB students get a one-year paid (~$27k) fellowship jig after graduation with the NIH in Bethesda, MD, which is a very prestigious program, during their gap year (while applying to med/dent school). UMBC has been voted #1 public university several years running and the word is their AMB is top notch. I would say, if you are local, apply to AMB for your post-bac. Note that you will graduate with a Masters in Science, so that's not bad on your CV either.

 

[Sissi Romy]

Hi all,

I have applied to several SMPs. Barry and Mason in particular. I did not apply to Boston b/c several courses in the prereqs were at the CC.

My overal gpa is a 3.15 and science GPA is a 2.9. 20 across the board on the DAT except OC (22) I havent heard back from Mason (I live in Northern Virginia). Just wondering if I should apply to a regular masters in Biotech at a school local (UMBC).

Would this help my application? Has anyone done the masters at UMBC?

Also wanted to add, both of my friends got into med and dent schools with UMd in Baltimore.