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I'm lucky enough to live in a state where there are two post-bacc MD programs that BOTH offer conditional acceptance. One program (1) is located in my current city, where I live with my parents. The other program (2) is located in the city 100 miles away where I completed my bachelors degree. Both programs are 1 year each and similar cost for MD program, but both differ significantly by cost of post-bacc and setting.
Here are the descriptions of the programs:
Program 1:
This is a one-year post-baccalaureate certificate program that consists of 24 credits. Upon successful completion of the program students will earn a certificate program in Professional Studies in Health Sciences and will engage in a mini scholarly project as well as Doctoring and Medical Ethics sessions. The program provides students with exposure to clinical experience, working with physicians, patients and other health professions. Upon successful completion, students will have the opportunity to earn acceptance into the MD program if they meet the following requirements:
Here are the pros and cons of each program/school:
Program 1
Pros:
1. COST=the program is only ~$2,500 (Two-thousand five hundred dollars), I would save money by living with my parents.
2. More flexible/easier schedule than program 2 during post-bacc (possibly able to work a few shifts a month?).
3. I don't have a car and would be able to better commute to local hospitals and clinics (plan on saving up for car currently).
4. I'm more familiar with the hospitals here as this is where I am from and have work experience at one of the affiliated hospitals.
5. I have gone to many open houses and feel very comfortable here.
6. Coursework exposure (you take 2 of the same blocks as the MS1 students, but you still have to retake the blocks when you matriculate).
7. The MD program requires a scholarly project (+++ for residency apps)
8. No thesis component
Cons:
1. Fairly new program
2. No one attached university hospital (rotate at different local hospitals, have to navigate different systems).
3. Not attached to a major university.
3. No residency programs in the city with specialties/fellowships I'm interested in: Dermatology and Heme/onc (but just opened a brand new affiliated cancer center).
Program 2:
The program includes a Master of Science degree in Cellular & Molecular Medicine, professional and clinical development, and success seminars. Those who successfully complete the program requirements will receive conditional admission to the medical school. Students complete a master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, which include a number of courses that are closely aligned, or taught in tandem, with the medical school curriculum. Students are taught by the same faculty that will be teaching them their core science courses during M1 and M2. Coursework includes: Gross anatomy, histology, cell biology, immunology, pathology, public health, epidemiology, and thesis credits. Only passing the coursework is required for conditional acceptance.
*NOTE=only the coursework is required, not to actually complete the masters thesis; the thesis is required to get the masters degree, but not to enter into the MD program (confusing, I know).
pros:
1. Coursework exposure (courses are taught by same faculty members as the MS1s=helpful for step 1)
2. Attached university hospital
3. Attached to a major research university
3. Has residencies/fellowships I'm interested in: Dermatology (very competitive/need connections) and Heme/Onc (established cancer center).
4. Ability to build connections with Dermatology department.
4. MS degree (not required for conditional acceptance, but would be helpful to earn to be more competitive for residency?).
5. Familiar with school
6. No scholarly project required for MD school
Cons:
1. COST=Estimated cost for post-bacc is $43,000 (forty-three thousand dollars) for the year.
2. 100 miles away from family (single, not married and no kids, but my social support=mom and friends).
3. Thesis required to complete MS degree (not required for conditional acceptance).
Thank you for reading my long post and any input is appreciated!
Here are the descriptions of the programs:
Program 1:
This is a one-year post-baccalaureate certificate program that consists of 24 credits. Upon successful completion of the program students will earn a certificate program in Professional Studies in Health Sciences and will engage in a mini scholarly project as well as Doctoring and Medical Ethics sessions. The program provides students with exposure to clinical experience, working with physicians, patients and other health professions. Upon successful completion, students will have the opportunity to earn acceptance into the MD program if they meet the following requirements:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Increase MCAT score
- Demonstrate professional preparedness as evaluated by competencies and milestones within the curriculum.
Here are the pros and cons of each program/school:
Program 1
Pros:
1. COST=the program is only ~$2,500 (Two-thousand five hundred dollars), I would save money by living with my parents.
2. More flexible/easier schedule than program 2 during post-bacc (possibly able to work a few shifts a month?).
3. I don't have a car and would be able to better commute to local hospitals and clinics (plan on saving up for car currently).
4. I'm more familiar with the hospitals here as this is where I am from and have work experience at one of the affiliated hospitals.
5. I have gone to many open houses and feel very comfortable here.
6. Coursework exposure (you take 2 of the same blocks as the MS1 students, but you still have to retake the blocks when you matriculate).
7. The MD program requires a scholarly project (+++ for residency apps)
8. No thesis component
Cons:
1. Fairly new program
2. No one attached university hospital (rotate at different local hospitals, have to navigate different systems).
3. Not attached to a major university.
3. No residency programs in the city with specialties/fellowships I'm interested in: Dermatology and Heme/onc (but just opened a brand new affiliated cancer center).
Program 2:
The program includes a Master of Science degree in Cellular & Molecular Medicine, professional and clinical development, and success seminars. Those who successfully complete the program requirements will receive conditional admission to the medical school. Students complete a master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, which include a number of courses that are closely aligned, or taught in tandem, with the medical school curriculum. Students are taught by the same faculty that will be teaching them their core science courses during M1 and M2. Coursework includes: Gross anatomy, histology, cell biology, immunology, pathology, public health, epidemiology, and thesis credits. Only passing the coursework is required for conditional acceptance.
*NOTE=only the coursework is required, not to actually complete the masters thesis; the thesis is required to get the masters degree, but not to enter into the MD program (confusing, I know).
pros:
1. Coursework exposure (courses are taught by same faculty members as the MS1s=helpful for step 1)
2. Attached university hospital
3. Attached to a major research university
3. Has residencies/fellowships I'm interested in: Dermatology (very competitive/need connections) and Heme/Onc (established cancer center).
4. Ability to build connections with Dermatology department.
4. MS degree (not required for conditional acceptance, but would be helpful to earn to be more competitive for residency?).
5. Familiar with school
6. No scholarly project required for MD school
Cons:
1. COST=Estimated cost for post-bacc is $43,000 (forty-three thousand dollars) for the year.
2. 100 miles away from family (single, not married and no kids, but my social support=mom and friends).
3. Thesis required to complete MS degree (not required for conditional acceptance).
Thank you for reading my long post and any input is appreciated!
