Hello everyone!!! For those of you that are going to be participating in the NYCOM Basic Science Summer Program (BSSP) this year, please PM me!!
-SexsyEgptnDr
-SexsyEgptnDr
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Nycom Bssp Program
Started by SexyEgptnDr
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The Bssp program (Basic Science Summer Program) is a program mainly for underrepresented minorities. It is a program that you are usually chosen to do by admissions. It is meant to "prepare" the students for part of their first year of medical school. However, those that take part in this program must pass all the courses presented in those 7 weeks with a 75%. It is a difficult and rigorous program, but it can be done...I'm living proof 😀
If you have any other questions, let me know.
SexyEgptnDr
If you have any other questions, let me know.
SexyEgptnDr
what is the selection criteria for this program? can a non- URM participate. if not, it seems kinda not fair because people do not start of w/equal footing. so basically u are competing woth someone who is one step ahead of you. susan
From what I hear, I really wouldnt worry terribly. If you werent asked to participate in this program, you probably dont need it because your scores have proven otherwise. While I hear the program is intense, it's kind of a last "weed-out" mechanism for some borderline students who may need the extra help. Enjoy your summer, I intend to.
I wouldn't take it that far to think that people will be a "step" ahead of you...it is a program that is supposed to help prepare and build confidance in these students.
A word of advice...don't look at other students and what they are doing- concentrate on yourself. There will always be other students in your class with a "step" ahead...for example, the NPs, RNs, PAs, PTs, MDs (APEPS) who are more familiar with the material. So, don't worry about a group of underrepresented minorities taking a 7 week rigorous governtment funded program. The more you pay attention to other students and what they're doing...the more time you waste and are not focussing...the closer you get to failing.
So, enjoy your summer...and we'll see you in August.
A word of advice...don't look at other students and what they are doing- concentrate on yourself. There will always be other students in your class with a "step" ahead...for example, the NPs, RNs, PAs, PTs, MDs (APEPS) who are more familiar with the material. So, don't worry about a group of underrepresented minorities taking a 7 week rigorous governtment funded program. The more you pay attention to other students and what they're doing...the more time you waste and are not focussing...the closer you get to failing.
So, enjoy your summer...and we'll see you in August.
ouch.... SexyEgyptian, chill out. The girl just didnt know anything about the program. No need to start accussing someone of malicious intent before the person has even stepped foot in the door.
Su4n2... pafbdoc is right, this program is nothing to lose sleep over. The program is a basic science remeidal course for some minority students who didnt quite make the cut when it came to regular admissions. It's a good program and is very needed, especially to get more URMs into medicine in needed areas, hence the reason most of it finds federal dollars.
Truth of the matter is, everyone here has different backgrounds, some are already doctors (apeps), others are pharmacists, others are PAs, even some lawyers, and a bunch are straight outta college. The school assumes everyone knows nothing when they get here though, and with the H/P/F grading system, competition is by-and-large absent. If you've never had biochem, physio, etc, you may have to work a bit harder than someone else, but you'll be fine. Funny thing is, even with the summer program, many of these students still sit for retake exams, as do the offshore MDs! The traditional students often blow the APEPS out of the water on the basic science classes largely b/c these docs havent had it in so long. Then second year comes along, and they return the favor in the medicine curricula. It all works out. Enjoy your summer. Sleep late and party. You'll miss both come august.
Su4n2... pafbdoc is right, this program is nothing to lose sleep over. The program is a basic science remeidal course for some minority students who didnt quite make the cut when it came to regular admissions. It's a good program and is very needed, especially to get more URMs into medicine in needed areas, hence the reason most of it finds federal dollars.
Truth of the matter is, everyone here has different backgrounds, some are already doctors (apeps), others are pharmacists, others are PAs, even some lawyers, and a bunch are straight outta college. The school assumes everyone knows nothing when they get here though, and with the H/P/F grading system, competition is by-and-large absent. If you've never had biochem, physio, etc, you may have to work a bit harder than someone else, but you'll be fine. Funny thing is, even with the summer program, many of these students still sit for retake exams, as do the offshore MDs! The traditional students often blow the APEPS out of the water on the basic science classes largely b/c these docs havent had it in so long. Then second year comes along, and they return the favor in the medicine curricula. It all works out. Enjoy your summer. Sleep late and party. You'll miss both come august.
If you guys need a place to stay my brother has a pirvate room share bath (w/second year nycom student) for rent in glen cove 5 miles away from school for $550 a month available in June. PM me if your interested.
OceanDoc, you are right in all that you are saying, and programs like these are needed in medical school because the majority of the sick (especially in NY) are minorities, and it's only right to provide the public with practitioners that they feel comfortable with. This is supported by the fact that is a federally funded program.
Unfortunately, URMs are not afforded the same quality of education that the majority of medical school students receive for a number of reasons that span from financial to social to educational. I know because I am an URM medical student that went through BSSP. Believe me, that was no easy feat to prove to NYCOM that I did belong, but I did it and I'm here!
Sometimes people post things that may sound harsh to others because it has hit close to home. I know for a fact that people post things with the assumption that others may not realize that they are actually first year NYCOM students trying to get more information to make a comment about fairness. To each their own.
Personally, a lot of things seem unfair to me too, but I wouldn't judge SexyEgptnDr, or Su4n2.
By the way, how's class going for the two of you? I'm knee-deep in neuro myself!
😉
I didn't mean to come off rude...just straight forward. Sorry if it was taken in any other way...but I do believe that if pre-med and medical students stopped worrying about what others are doing then everyone would be more efficient and productive and maybe a little less competitive....just a thought.
Good luck in August! (you'll do fine!)
Good luck in August! (you'll do fine!)
i am not a first year, incoming first year. i didn't mean to come of mean, i just think that students need to do their best to prepare themselves for med school. this is not a AA debate. i am fine w/that and i don't think that incoming stats will make any diffedrence in academic success if the students are motivated ( who am i to talk, my MCAT sucks). i just think that sometimes we need to take responsibility for our own education. btw, i am an an immgrant who went to CUNY inNY so i was not given privilages that every kid couldn't have had in NY and nobody gave a damn or patted me on the back for making it. having said that, if it's a program that NYCOM offeres as a make it or break it thing for some students to prove themselves- that's fine. i don't think it would be fine if it was just a volontary program for certain people. lets face it- all of us are scared ****less about classes. tghis has nothing to do w/competition. anyway, since u guys are first years, congrats on a year almost done. i can't wait to be in your shoes. susan
Susan-
It's normal to feel scared...and this program doesn't take much of the fear away. If you think the program would help, try calling admissions and speaking to Mr. Schaeffer about trying to get into the program. I don't know what the criteria for the program is exactly, I have heard different things....some say it is low MCAT, low GPA, underrepresented minority, non-traditional minority students...ect...but the truth is, I didn't have that low of an MCAT or GPA and according to some "studies/census" I am not even an underrepresented minority...however, I did have a special circumstance that my father was extremely ill during the year that I applied...why was the program offered to me? I don't know...but I know that it definitely helped me realize whether I could handle the stresses of having a sick parent and being a medical student. Other than that, there were other participants in the program that seemed to be "well prepared" for the year which included a PA, a student that had just finished a post bach at LECOM and other well qualified and bright students with a lot of experience in the health care field.
I also understand your frustrations since you've worked so hard to get were you are now without any kind of special treatment...but, in my opinion, give yourself a "special" summer full of relaxation, sleep and fun....
-SexyEgptnDr
It's normal to feel scared...and this program doesn't take much of the fear away. If you think the program would help, try calling admissions and speaking to Mr. Schaeffer about trying to get into the program. I don't know what the criteria for the program is exactly, I have heard different things....some say it is low MCAT, low GPA, underrepresented minority, non-traditional minority students...ect...but the truth is, I didn't have that low of an MCAT or GPA and according to some "studies/census" I am not even an underrepresented minority...however, I did have a special circumstance that my father was extremely ill during the year that I applied...why was the program offered to me? I don't know...but I know that it definitely helped me realize whether I could handle the stresses of having a sick parent and being a medical student. Other than that, there were other participants in the program that seemed to be "well prepared" for the year which included a PA, a student that had just finished a post bach at LECOM and other well qualified and bright students with a lot of experience in the health care field.
I also understand your frustrations since you've worked so hard to get were you are now without any kind of special treatment...but, in my opinion, give yourself a "special" summer full of relaxation, sleep and fun....
-SexyEgptnDr
yes, the program has a certain target audience, but if you've got a valid reason for wanting in (say, you've been out of school for a while and have forgotten everything), then call the Office of Minority Affairs. what's the worst that can happen?
I guess technically is that you're kicked out of medical school, for this program, to my knowledge, is a winner-take-all program...ie, if you dont pass the courses with like a 75%, you're done. I think it's a last shot for these students to "prove" they have what it takes as this program is part review and part "show us what you've got".
That's alot of eggs in one basket for the purpose of a "review". Seriously, dont feel slighted. You are already ahead of most of these students, even if you've been out of school for awhile.
Not to light the fire of a question on race, but if the BSSP program at NYCOM is for underrepresented minorities do applicants whose ancestry is Egyptian count? I realize that Egypt is on the African continent, but is that the same as African-American/African like those who qualify as URMs?
I ask only because the original poster has the username of "SexyEgptnDr," and so I would guess that the user is of Egyptian descent.
I ask only because the original poster has the username of "SexyEgptnDr," and so I would guess that the user is of Egyptian descent.
Timothy-
I am not sure if Egyptian is considered a URM- that's why in an earlier post I said that I wasn't sure how they picked people for the program. It's not all based on race- I am living proof. I think the reason why I was given the chance to do the program is to test out my ability to balance the pressures of medical school with a parent that was ill.
I guess to some people, being Egyptian is "African-American" and to others they are "Arab" which is considered "White".
Regardless, what I am sure of is that I will be an MSII after our last test tomorrow!
-SexyEgptnDr
I am not sure if Egyptian is considered a URM- that's why in an earlier post I said that I wasn't sure how they picked people for the program. It's not all based on race- I am living proof. I think the reason why I was given the chance to do the program is to test out my ability to balance the pressures of medical school with a parent that was ill.
I guess to some people, being Egyptian is "African-American" and to others they are "Arab" which is considered "White".
Regardless, what I am sure of is that I will be an MSII after our last test tomorrow!
-SexyEgptnDr
