Official: Univ of Cincinnati, MS Physiology (SMP) - Class of 2009

[Baileys]

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I just wanted to let everyone know that I got accepted to med school so I will be withdrawing soon! I'm going to wait until I get my official acceptance papers in the mail because I still don't believe it, but when I get those there will be an open spot! Good luck to everyone!

(I also declined a spot a Toledo's SMP yesterday in case any of you are waiting for that one.)

 

[FLDoc]

CONGRATS!!! Where are you going??

 

[Baileys]

CONGRATS!!! Where are you going??

Thanks! 🙂 I'm headed to the University of Toledo...it still just doesn't seem real though! Good luck to all of you!

 

[Cutie Dibbles]

Hi everybody - Just got a call from Dr. Banks, who was incredibly warm and friendly, and it looks like I'm up next on the waitlist and very likely to be accepted. I had just about given up hope! I'm not going to tell anyone in "real life" until I get the official word, but it's looking like I may be meeting some of you in a month. I'll keep you posted!

 

[antapolar]

i guess they watch more closely for ppl with higher MCAT scores. I have a 3.4 cgpa with 29Q mcat which both should be above their avg or cut off. But was waitlist since april and don't really feel good about it at all...

 

[FLDoc]

^ those aren't horrible stats though...are you applying to DO schools this cycle?

With good ECs and LORs I have to think a 3.4/29 is pretty competitive for many DO programs

 

[NutCracker2021]

Bump

 

[Qmog]

I'm a current Cincinnati SMP student and I've decided to post an email response I sent to someone who asked me about our program. I hope someone finds this helpful.

Dear _____,
I'm happy to answer your questions about the UC Master's program. So far I'm very happy to have entered this program because I believe it has really helped me with my apps. Seven of the students in my class have interviewed at UC already, the four of us that have heard back have been accepted, including myself. Also I've been offered more interviews at other well ranked schools too. The faculty, especially Dr. Banks, are very helpful and are determined to get us into a medical school.

To be considered a good applicant for this program you should have high MCAT scores and an application that contains some of the characteristics medical school addcoms look for(med exp, research, volunteering...). It is alright if your GPA is low, almost everyone in our program has high MCAT(32+) and low GPA (2.8 - 3.4)

This program will definately give me a huge advantage on other students in my class next year. I will have completed Medical physio, microanatomy/histology, physiology, embryo, teratology as well as my courses from the graduate college. More importantly I have been forced to master the necessary study skills which will give me a huge edge on my future classmates.

In your personal statement be sure to show that this program is a good fit for you. They want to know that you application will be improved because of this program. It would be best for you to show that your are intelligent, diligent, and compassionate and that the reason you have not been accepted to medical school yet is because you failed to achieve your potential during your undergraduate years.

 

[CoolSpot7Up]

Seven of the students in my class have interviewed at UC already, the four of us that have heard back have been accepted

Make that 5 accepted as of yesterday.

 

[JPanda]

with only 22 spots in the program, how early does one have to apply to be competitive?

 

[Pedsbro]

with only 22 spots in the program, how early does one have to apply to be competitive?

As always, the earlier the better. But it's more about your stats than how early you apply. A deadline is a deadline...if you get your application in before the deadline, you'll be considered. But why wait?

 

[JPanda]

As always, the earlier the better. But it's more about your stats than how early you apply. A deadline is a deadline...if you get your application in before the deadline, you'll be considered. But why wait?

i have competing expenses - i pay rent, i have debt, i have responsibilities - if i can postpone paying i would.

 

[DrMidlife]

i have competing expenses - i pay rent, i have debt, i have responsibilities - if i can postpone paying i would.

Wait, you're postponing applying in order to postpone paying an app fee? Are you serious?

Are you thinking $100 is going to be somehow so much easier to come by in a few months that your delay offsets the lost opportunity of applying early, which would maximize your chances of getting in? What are you going to save by waiting, maybe $5 in credit card interest?

Can't wait to hear how you're paying for your app year. You might need to wait to start this process until you're in a better financial situation.

Best of luck to you.

 

[whosinthebunker]

make that 6 as of today! i didn't expect to hear from them so soon (it's been about a month).

500 is quite a hefty deposit though!

 

[whosinthebunker]

haha, just kidding, i was accepted to the ms in physiology program for next fall, not UC Med!

Guess i'm getting a little ahead of myself...

 

[brownies]

Congratulations whosinthebunker...do you mind sharing your stats? And when did you apply?

 

[ashley85]

Make that 5 accepted as of yesterday.

And as of today its now 6 that have been accepted into UCCOM from our Master's class.

 

[whosinthebunker]

hey congrats ashley85!


thank you brownies! my stats for the MS acceptance are 33Q and graduated with around a 3.4 BCPM. i sent in all of my supporting stuff to cincinnati back in mid-late November, but my online app wasn't submitted until 12/27.

has anyone else heard from cincy? i can't be the only one! if you haven't, best of luck! cincy is the only one I've heard from so far.

i know this thread has a lot of information on the school. but if any of you current MS students has anything to add, it'd be much appreciated!

 

[FLDoc]

And as of today its now 6 that have been accepted into UCCOM from our Master's class.

I was just accepted to UCCOM class of 2013. That makes 7 Current Master's students with UCCOM acceptances for fall of '09.

 

[FLDoc]

Congrats. Can I assume from your screenname that you are a fellow Floridian originally???????

yep. i went to high school in Boca Raton.

 

[brownies]

My stats are cGPA 3.30, sGPA 3.22, MCAT 31O, and a year of full time research...can anyone in Cincinnati's program give me an idea of my chances of getting in to it?

 

[Pedsbro]

My stats are cGPA 3.30, sGPA 3.22, MCAT 31O, and a year of full time research...can anyone in Cincinnati's program give me an idea of my chances of getting in to it?

Those are similar stats to some people who were in my class, so I think you can apply with some confidence in your chances.

 

[Lakama]

Hey all! Just got accepted into the UC Masters Program (that was real quick!). I sent my app in around Feb 12. I unwisely applied to 8 other Masters Programs though so I haven't really decided if I want to do this program or not. Anyone else on the fence?

 

[CoolSpot7Up]

Yeah, I was trying to make the same decision too. I forget if I mentioned this somewhere else in the thread, but here's why I chose Cincy over Georgetown/Boston U/Loyola (someone PMed me some questions, so hopefully this answers them too):

1) Maintain OH residency (or if you're out of state, you gain it after the program, a huge plus)
2) Cheapter tuition than other masters programs (and cheaper cost of living!)
3) Smaller class size (20 versus like 150+)
4) They are very supportive, and write update letters after every exam block
5) The program is only 1 year (Boston U was geared towards 2 years)
6) I get to take 3 med school classes (Loyola didn't take them with med students)

Was it worth it? Definitely. Nearly everyone applying from our class this year has gotten an interview at UCCOM, and everyone who has heard back has been accepted. My goal was to get accepted into medical school, and it was accomplished. People have gotten into other medical schools as well, so the program is gaining credibility.

 

[thes_hunter]

I have to agree with CoolSpot7Up, being ranked against the med students is huge.

I know my lack of undergrad bio-chem came up in my most recent interview and it was nice to be able to say "Well, I took Medical biochemistry, and look at how well I did."

It is my impression that my performance in this program was one of the major factors in me being accepted directly vs. being wait-listed.

---


I need to send some thank you notes to Dr. Lorenz and Dr. Banks, since I recently got into Wayne State.

Good luck to all you UC SMP'ers, either future or former.

 

[yadave]

I just got in a few days ago, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to go. I have a 2.6 Undergrad GPA, 35S MCAT and a single semester postbacc from CUNY Hunter in which I received a 3.67. I'm questioning whether I should continue with the (much cheaper) postbacc or if the SMP is for me--despite the additional costs. The SMP feels a lot more definite, like taking these medical school classes will prove I have the right stuff. The postbacc feels wishy washy.

so wait, you got in with a 2.6 GPA? did you take any premed classes in undergrad? Or have extraordinary research xp? Sorry im confused because I thought UC required a 3.0

 

[yadave]

I'm a current Cincinnati SMP student and I've decided to post an email response I sent to someone who asked me about our program. I hope someone finds this helpful.

Dear _____,
I'm happy to answer your questions about the UC Master's program. So far I'm very happy to have entered this program because I believe it has really helped me with my apps. Seven of the students in my class have interviewed at UC already, the four of us that have heard back have been accepted, including myself. Also I've been offered more interviews at other well ranked schools too. The faculty, especially Dr. Banks, are very helpful and are determined to get us into a medical school.

To be considered a good applicant for this program you should have high MCAT scores and an application that contains some of the characteristics medical school addcoms look for(med exp, research, volunteering...). It is alright if your GPA is low, almost everyone in our program has high MCAT(32+) and low GPA (2.8 - 3.4)

This program will definately give me a huge advantage on other students in my class next year. I will have completed Medical physio, microanatomy/histology, physiology, embryo, teratology as well as my courses from the graduate college. More importantly I have been forced to master the necessary study skills which will give me a huge edge on my future classmates.

In your personal statement be sure to show that this program is a good fit for you. They want to know that you application will be improved because of this program. It would be best for you to show that your are intelligent, diligent, and compassionate and that the reason you have not been accepted to medical school yet is because you failed to achieve your potential during your undergraduate years.

wow thank you for the advice! I am currently working on my undergrad GPA and trying to bring it up to par to even apply to the program. Havnt taken the MCAT yet but I score very well on all my practice exams (33+). Im hoping this carries over when I actually take the test lol. I want to get into the class of 2010 so hopefully I can get my stats up. I have two pubs alreayd and over 5 years of hardcore research experience. I volunteered at childrens hospital here in cinicnnati my freshman year of college and I plan on doing that again this summer. If I get my GPA up to about a 2.7-2.8 and get a 33+ on my MCAT do you guys think I have a shot? Any input is appreciated. Congrats to everyone who has been accepted (Im very envious 🙂 ). I hope you med school goals manifest for your very soon.

 

[yadave]

Oh and in addition, im a OH resident...not sure if UC looks at that favorably..?

Ps- Ive gotten good advice from others before but I wanted to post a general explanation of my situation to get as much input as possible. Thanks to everyone who has already told me what they think.🙂

 

[ashley85]

wow thank you for the advice! I am currently working on my undergrad GPA and trying to bring it up to par to even apply to the program. Havnt taken the MCAT yet but I score very well on all my practice exams (33+). Im hoping this carries over when I actually take the test lol. I want to get into the class of 2010 so hopefully I can get my stats up. I have two pubs alreayd and over 5 years of hardcore research experience. I volunteered at childrens hospital here in cinicnnati my freshman year of college and I plan on doing that again this summer. If I get my GPA up to about a 2.7-2.8 and get a 33+ on my MCAT do you guys think I have a shot? Any input is appreciated. Congrats to everyone who has been accepted (Im very envious 🙂 ). I hope you med school goals manifest for your very soon.

You should send Dr. Banks (the program director) an email and ask about your specific questions. My guess is a slightly below 3.0 GPA could be forgiven if you have a high MCAT, great extracurriculars, a passion for medicine, and research experience although I'm not positive. Dr. Banks is always willing to talk to applicants and will be extremely helpful and honest about your application hopes.

Good luck to you with your application; its a great program!

 

[ashley85]

can you answer my question about what hold vs. waitlist means and more on how the hold position works?

I'm not exactly sure what hold vs. waitlist means, but I do know there is some turnover off the waitlist (further into the summer) as students accepted into the Master's program end up getting off medical school waitlists or decide on other Master's programs. So I know there is some waitlist movement although it is limited based on the small size of the program.

Hope this helps a bit and sorry I'm not sure exactly what "hold" means. Hopefully someone else will see your post and have a better answer.

 

[Pedsbro]

wow thank you for the advice! I am currently working on my undergrad GPA and trying to bring it up to par to even apply to the program. Havnt taken the MCAT yet but I score very well on all my practice exams (33+). Im hoping this carries over when I actually take the test lol. I want to get into the class of 2010 so hopefully I can get my stats up. I have two pubs alreayd and over 5 years of hardcore research experience. I volunteered at childrens hospital here in cinicnnati my freshman year of college and I plan on doing that again this summer. If I get my GPA up to about a 2.7-2.8 and get a 33+ on my MCAT do you guys think I have a shot? Any input is appreciated. Congrats to everyone who has been accepted (Im very envious 🙂 ). I hope you med school goals manifest for your very soon.

I'm a Cinci SMP alumnus from 2008... You currently have a lot of unknowns right now. You're scoring high on practice tests, but nothing can exactly simulate the real test and testing conditions, so you never know. Also, you're still working on the ugrad GPA...no telling what the end result will be. So you really need more concrete info and stats before expecting a solid answer about your chances, whether it's asking current and former SMP students or the program faculty. Dr. Banks is very easy to talk to, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to get his take on things and simply introduce yourself, but right now, just get those stats as high as possible.
I agree with Ashley that something like a 2.8 or 2.9 might be taken with a very high MCAT score and your extensive research...UC is a very research-oriented school. But a 2.7 with a lower MCAT might not cut it. SMPs in general are becoming very competitive themselves...

As for being an Ohio resident, in my class, there were only a handful, so unlike the medical school itself, the SMP program doesn't seem to preference OH residents. It certainly wouldn't hurt though. And lastly, obviously I'm biased, but I would go for the Cinci SMP over the Toledo one any day. For only being in existence for 3 years, the Cinci SMP has one hell of a success rate so far for getting their students into medical schools around the country (including myself and several posters on here).

 

[brownies]

Has anyone heard anything back from the program starting this fall besides being wait listed?

 

[yettus]

I was accepted into the Master's program about two weeks ago.

 

[214615]

same here. i know of at least one other.

 

[Pedsbro]

Has anyone heard anything back from the program starting this fall besides being wait listed?

There are several people that have been accepted...I know because they've PM'd me with questions haha. Good luck!

 

[surag]

Hey guys I just heard about this program and unfortunately am only applying now. i was wondering if they would still consider my application?

Also, I have a 2.76 GPA but a 37S. Looking at other student's records I dont feel that my MCAT is as competitive. What do you guys think? should I go ahead and plunk down the 100 bucks? Thanks.

 

[214615]

you had a 37 MCAT in a different thread a few minutes ago???

 

[surag]

sorry buddy 37S. and to clarify if you check all my posts you'll see that its a 37S.

14 P, 11 V 12 B

I basically wrote 35 because I was in conversation with a friend who had a 35 and thats all I was thinking of. Sorry. I don't want to come across as a liar at all...whats the point? this is an anonymous(for the most part) forum. But thanks for pointing it out!

I just edited the previous post as well. it should say 37 now.

 

[surag]

Thanks, I've looked BU up and their placement rates don't look so hot. Same with drexel this year apparently. Cincy seems like a good program but with my GPA I dunno.

 

[214615]

gotcha. I got in with a 33R, a gpa not far above 3.0, but also have 4 years of full time clinical experience (tech in an ER, best premed job ever), great LOR's, and a fairly strong upward trend during my prereqs. it was that first bachelor's degree that really killed the gpa. I'm sure it's not as simple as just looking at the gpa. I'm guessing they look at what you've done recently and the overall strength of the application. probably looking for some evidence of dedication and performance beyond just a great MCAT score. much more willing to forgive failures in the past, not so much if they were failures last semester.

 

[surag]

Well...here's a quick look at my CV

volunteered and worked alongside physicians in India with rural villagers..traveled to villages to translate for the doctors(who spoke english and Hindi) (I speak both english and our local dialect)
-did this in high school though for one summer-its what drew me to medicine.

volunteered in ER at two hospitals

Did spring semester of independent study research (sophomore college)

summer of research after junior year college in biochemistry

Graduated last year(may)

currently work as lab tech in neurosurgery department

currently volunteer with local elderly group

shadowed neurologist for 3 weeks.

plan on shadowing and volunteering before this august(and whatever program i start)

2.76 overall GPA
2.66 science.

My grades went from 3.5 GPA first two years and then tanked onwards due to serious family issues.

 

[surag]

And you said 37S on the MCAT right???????

I think your profile outside of GPA is good. You should consider doing a postbac and then do a masters. otherwise, I know BU MAMS might accept you with those numbers. If EVMS was still interviewing, they'd consider you.

If you were considered disadvantaged then you'd get to apply to places like Wake forest postbac, drexel DPMS, or GEMS but I'm sure most of those program deadlines passed.

but as per other SMPs, it is worth it to try but I'm not sure what your chances are without some postbac and or a 1 year Medical sciences non SMP masters.

yea 37S 14 P 11 V 12 B
unfortunately as an Indian I doubt I'm underprivileged even for income.

So basically you dont think I could get into medical school after one year of SMP even if I do top notch?

 

[gl0baltrader]

yea 37S 14 P 11 V 12 B
unfortunately as an Indian I doubt I'm underprivileged even for income.

So basically you dont think I could get into medical school after one year of SMP even if I do top notch?

Hi,

I can share some of your frustration, I'm chinese by birth and this disqualify me from being considered disadvantage even though I was working full time to support my family in college and didn't know English until ten years ago.

Personally, I think you should apply for an SMP program this year Georgetown or others that's still open. Finish the program and then apply for the 2011 cycle not 2010 because then you're SMP grades would be reflected in your AMCAS application.

With a 4.0 SMP gpa and a 37 MCAT, I think you'll be a good contender and some school such as BU, Drexel, and NYMC gives out interview for top 10% of the SMP class.

Good Luck and don't lose faith.

 

[Pedsbro]

Hey guys I just heard about this program and unfortunately am only applying now. i was wondering if they would still consider my application?

Also, I have a 2.76 GPA but a 37S. Looking at other student's records I dont feel that my MCAT is as competitive. What do you guys think? should I go ahead and plunk down the 100 bucks? Thanks.

Here's my take...

A 37S is an outstanding score and is enough to get you into any SMP. You have great EC's and research. BUT, that GPA is way too low to be "canceled out" even by that high of an MCAT score. Knowing what I (think I) know, a 2.76 (with 2.66 sci GPA) will not get you into the Cincinnati SMP. That's just too low... It will probably knock you out of the running for many of the major SMPs that have a lot of applicants, because they are getting more and more competitive as word spreads about their usefulness and success (like G-town and Cinci). Even BU is iffy... You might try looking at some of the smaller SMP or SMP-like programs. The EVMS SMP might be an option...when I was looking at SMPs, I think they had a minimum GPA of 2.75 for applying.

Check out this list of postbacs, Masters, and SMPs around the country...tons of them for you to research and gauge your chances of getting into. http://hpap.syr.edu/pblist.htm

I don't agree with doing a one year MS (or any kind of MS) followed by an SMP. Post bac then SMP, might be more reasonable if you need to do two things. Obviously if you can get into an SMP right off the bat, go for it. I would also apply to post-bacs at the same time though.

If you go for post-bac, and do really well, you might be able to get into a med school right after. So in that situation, I would apply to med school (is DO an option you're willing to go for? because in the end, their average stats are lower than many MD schools), but also apply to SMPs at the same time as applying to med school. The idea is you want to keep improving and going for the gold, but having backups ready without wasting too much time.
It's a crappy deal no matter what you do and it will take a lot of time and money, all the while knowing that if you screw up once in a post bac or especially an SMP, it's pretty much over. You have quite a mountain to climb with that GPA. But it's not impossible. Any other questions, feel free to ask here or PM me. Good luck bud!👍

 

[brownies]

So hold is a group waiting to get on the waitlist, or can you be accepted right out of hold?

 

[214615]

at most places a hold is just a delayed rejection. they gain nothing by rejecting you right off, so they hold you in case something weird happens and they need to fill a class. as far as I can tell this is what EVMS does with their waitlist.

 

[yadave]

yea 37S 14 P 11 V 12 B
unfortunately as an Indian I doubt I'm underprivileged even for income.

So basically you dont think I could get into medical school after one year of SMP even if I do top notch?

dont you love being indian and having absoloutly NO ADVANTAGE what so ever in terms of minority? I know i do.

But yeah man your MCAT is pretty awesome if I were in your shoes I would apply for SMPs anyway just to see because you have a great other than that gpa (dont feel bad im in the same boat with the gpa thing). Best of luck to you.

 

[surag]

dont you love being indian and having absoloutly NO ADVANTAGE what so ever in terms of minority? I know i do.

But yeah man your MCAT is pretty awesome if I were in your shoes I would apply for SMPs anyway just to see because you have a great other than that gpa (dont feel bad im in the same boat with the gpa thing). Best of luck to you.

thanks for the ups, good luck to you too. I've been worrying about an MD way too long and its becoming an annoyance. A day doesnt go by when I wish I actually did go to my classes during undergrad and actually cared.

What are you doing about it? What are your plans?

 

[DrMidlife]

dont you love being indian and having absoloutly NO ADVANTAGE what so ever in terms of minority? I know i do.

Well, Indian Americans are (gulp) grossly overrepresented in the physician population you're looking to join, even compared to white-ass Eurotrash like myself, so a victim mentality isn't really working for you. Underrepresented means there aren't a bunch of doctors representing your ethnicity, receiving government support ($100k/yr for residency) to train for prestigious high-paying jobs. Effectively it's about taxation w/o representation. Asians and whites do not have a representation problem in medicine and are therefore NOT underrepresented. Except maybe economically - you can always try that angle if you grew up in poverty.

As usual, I found the US census website utterly useless in providing any reasonably current data, but Wikipedia cites 4.4% of the US population as being Asian, with about 0.9% being Indian American. You betcha, it's a teensy minority. As are American Indians, at about 0.7% of the population.

However, the AAMC pub on MD school demographics shows:
Edit: I read this table wrong, so if you saw 31.3%, that's because I'm a doofus.
6% of the 2007 applicant pool were Asian Indian
4% were Chinese
0.4% were American Indian
All these groups had about a 45% acceptance rate.

Not trying to be an ass here, just trying to offer some perspective.

 

[DrMidlife]

Note that I've corrected my percentages in my above post. D'oh!